Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-11-02
MELANCHOLY CAsE.-On the 10th Of Sep

MELANCHOLY CASE. -On the 10th of Sep
..mber Col. H. NJ. Becky committed suicide
# tbe Maltby House in this city. He was a
D,tive of Virginia, and had been held in high
esteem as an upright ard honest man. He left
,non his table several letters, one of which was
a5Sressed to an intimate friend, and in it he
sosonnted the causes which had impelled him
~ take his life. We publish it that it may
ssrve as a lesson and a warning to the living.
Rnt his friends desire that whatever he might
bace TO offer that Savored of excuse for his acts
sboun 20 before the world. The opprobrium
which NAV have attached to the name of one
who erred so criminally may be lesSened by the
knowledge that in his last frenzied hour he be-
vailed his sin in agonies of penitence and
me.-Bah. .Gc=ette.
Baltimore, Sept. 10, 1868.
MY Dear Friend, This is the last time |
shall ever address you for even before you re-
ceive this will dead.
ii will be as brief as can in stating the
causes that have led ne to the commission OF
this act. In uy,early youth my mother died
and my father having much business that call
ed him from home, was thrown into the COM
pany of the vicious, or rather, having no one
10 restrain me, fell into vicious habits, the most
ia,a Of which was playing cards. The habit
rev on me so rapidly that almost before | was
aware OF it, was satisfied nowhere save when
engaged in gaming. In sober, refecting mo-
meuts knew and realized that it was ruin
iog me, but so complete was the strange
infatuation that although | resolved over
and over again to abstain. with each recurring
emptation was sure to fall, Lille in the army
entributed to strengthen this terrible vice.
However, for some time after the war ceased,
succeeded in mastering my passion, and even
hncied that [ had so far overcome any desire IN
that direction that | would iu future escape the
snare. but my strength of mind and purpose
was not suficient, and ever since my life has
beep a constant warfare with this my beSettiDg
SIN aatti
"a little over twelve months sought to
strengthen my good resolutions by connecting
myself With the Church, and thus draw around
me the mantle of her protection. succeeded
until came to Baltimore. l came here, as
you are aware, nearly bankrupt, and the lnsid-
iOus whisperngS Of hope that | might retrieve
nv broken fortunes kept whispering to me,
until at last, unable to Withstand temptation,
| fel and was lost. l lost what money had.
borrowed and borrowed again, still thinking
and hoping that astteak of good fortune would
enable me to succeed. But why go farther?
IT'S the same old story. Led on by a blind In
atuation that [ had not the strength to con-
troll, lost until honor itself was lost. lis
that that | cannot survive the loss of. You
can never know and scarcely dream of the
agony | am feeling this moment, and the Bit
far h,,r, hat, a. mo in
such al flood that my very heart-strlngS are
Napping Que by Que. Soon, very soon, the
las; will be broken r fo-.'.,
"0h, my dear friend never, never
touch a card, not even for amusement, l
commenced for amusement. l lost $1,000
a a faro bank. | leave a letter to him,
which | hope you will deliver, asking him
oreturn One-half to my family, who are left
destitute. desire that you will take charge
dmy remains and convey them to tlneastle,
and have them inferred In the Methodist church.
yaFd; also take charge of my trunk, etc. L
have suit of clothes and one pair OF pants
at Ohem's, on Pratt street Burgh knows
Shere they are Ny watch and chain are at
apawnbrokers' on Gay street; you will lind
ticket 10 my memorandum book. Had l simply
lost this money without deceiVing any one, l
would not mind it. 1t was the first dishonest
act OF my life. | cannot survive disgrace. |
can never more respect myself. l have been
unfortunate In business, aDd sometimes could
not pay when | ought, but could always look
man IN the face until now. E9Tr,.#
My family will be left destitute, but they
&re innocent, and God has promised care for
aeTldOw and orphan. If could have had
any hope that some kind friend would have lis
eled to my tale OF shame, and then helped me
Wt OF 1t until could have gone to work and
Pald him! But who would trust me after con-
lssslOn that had deceived others Oh, what
%SOuld.l give to undo the past two weeks All
.qe letters | have written / leave in your
Tuaafge to be forwarded to their destinations.
iI9lOrm IG the house am living with of my end.
u Il you telegraph to Fineastle, do so to James
4 d. FiIggat. Ii you can spare the money
sixteen Eaaf dollarsl wish you would redeem my
SSi "S'gn and chain, and give it to my little boy
vi: hilbert Lee, but do not do so unless con-
Your unhappy and ruined friend,