The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-11-10
Sad .StOry-A Warning.

Odu sOCOTy-a w dIuluS.
On the 18th of September, II. NJ. Becky
committed suicide at the Maltby House in this
city. lie was native Of Virginia, and had
been held in high esteem us an upright and
honest man. He left upon his table several
letters, one of which addressed to init
mate friend, and in it he recounted the causes
which had impellcd him to take his life. This
letter has been placed at our disposal. We pub
1ish it that it may serve a lesson and warn
ing to the living, and as partial vindicatlon Of
the memory of the dead. The offences of the
unhappy being who has gone to render his ac-
count for wasted life stand confessed and it
does not become us to pass cur Judgment upon
them now. But his friends desire that W hat
ever he nj ght have to offer that savored of cx
cuse for his acts should 90 before the world
We think they are right; for the opprubrum
which may have attached to the name of one
who erred so criminally may be cssencd by the
knowledge that iu his last irenzicd hour he be-
walled his sin in agon,s of pcnitencc and shame
This plea WILL We believe, be mcrcfully CON-
sidercd in another world, ard his sorrowing
family trust it will find indulgence here BuIti-
more GG=etfr.
BALTIMORE, Sept. Is. 1865.
My Dear Fricnd-This is the last time shall
ever address you, for even before YOU receive
this | will be dead. | will be as brief as ] can
in stating the causes that have led me to the
commission Of this act. In MY early youth my
mother died and my father having much bust
ness that called him from home, | was thrown
into the company of the vicious, rather. hay
ing one 10 restrain me- fell into vicious habits
the most fatal Of which was playing cards. The
habit grew on me rapidly that almost before
was aware Of it ! was satisfied nowhere save
when engaged in gaming. In sober rejecting
moments ] knew and realized that it WAS all
running me, but complete was the strange ill.,
tatuaton that although resolved over and over
again to abstain, with each recurring temptation
| was sure to fall. Life in the army contributed
to strengthen this terrible vice However, for
some time after the ceased, succeeded in
mastering my passion, and even fancicd that
had so far overcome desire in that direction that
would in future escape the snare, but my
strength of mind and purpose was not sufficient,
aud ever since my life has been constant war
fare with this my besctting sin.
A little over twelve months | sought to
strengthen my good resolutions by connecting
myself with the Church, and thus draw around
NE the mantle of her protection. | succeeded
until | came to Baltimore. | came here, as you
are aware, nearly bankrupt and the nsiduous
whisperings of hope that | might retrieve my
broken fortunes kept whispering to me. until at
last, unable to Withstand temptation. | fell and
was lost. lost what money had. borrowed
and borrowed again still thinking anu hoping
that streak of good fortune would enable nc
to succeed. But why go farther? IT'S the
same old story. Led on by blind nfatuation
that had not the strength to control, lest I'M
til honor itself was lost. It's that that cannot
survive the loss of You can never know and
scarcely dream of the bitter, burning rcmorse
that is flowing over me in such food that ny
very heart-strings are swapping one by one
Soon, very soon the last will be broken.
Oh my dear friend, never, never touch a card
not even in amusement ] commenced for amuse-
nent. l lost 81 ,050 at Il faro bank | leave a
letter to him which hope you will deliver, ask
ing him to return one-haf to my family, who
orc left destitute. desire that you will take
charge of my remains aud convey them to Fin
castle and haye them inferred in the Methodist
churchyard also take charge of my trunk, etc
have suit of clothes and pair of pants at
Oherns, on Pratt street Burgh knows where
they are. My watch and chair are at u pawn
brokers on Gay street you will fluid the ticket
in my memorandum book Had j simply lost
this money without dcceiving any one. would
not mind it. 1t was the first dishonest act of
my life. ! cannot survive disgrace. / have
been unfortunate in business, and sometimes
could not pay when l ought, but | could always
look man in the face until now
My family will be left destitute, but they arc
innocent and God has promised to care for the
widow and orphan. If could have had any
hope that some kind friend would have listened
to my tale of shame, and helped me out of it
until L could have gone to work and paid him.
But who would trust me after confession that
had deceived others Oh what would | do
to undo the past two weeks. All the letters /
have written ] leave in your charge, to be for
sarded to their destination. Inform the house
that am living with, of my end. If you telc-
graph to Fincastle, do so to James H. II. Figgat
1fyou can spare the money Sixteen dollars |
wish you would redeem my watch and chain and
give it to my little boy Gilbert Lee, but do not
do so unless convenient
Your unhappy and ruined friend.
II. NJ. BECKY.