Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1869-02-12
~ promised not to do anything that you
would not like" said Bernard.


would not like" said Bernard.
"Perhaps you were not tempted"
"Yes, mother, l was. Harry and bi
sisters tried to persuade me to play cards
but thought you would not wish me t,
do it, and Irefused.'
"God will bless you, my noble boy,'
said his mother, while tears of joy course,
down her checks. "Tho blessing of Coz
and man will follow him who houoreth hi
parents"
Oh! how happy Bernard felt, and how
glad he was that be had been enabled te
resist tho temptation In his heart, t.e
felt that all the fun - in the world coulc
not have been as pleasant as those words
OF commendation from the lips OF bis
mother.
Harry Wilson became so fond of playing
cards that he took them to school with
him, and persuaded many boys to join him
IN the game. whose parents would have
wept could they have read the destinies of
those sons. Bernard Courtney was urged
to play, and often laughed at, called "a
coward, ga little boy, afraid of his mother, !"
and by many harsher aud more disrespect-
iul terms; but he steadily adhered to his
resolution, and neither persua,ion no-
threats could induce him to displease his
mother.
Harry Wilson and Bernard Courtney
were class mates. Harry possessed brill
liant mind, naturally brighter than Der.
nard's, and heace always ranked above
him in class, until he learned 10 pIsy cards.
The evenings he had formerly devoted to
study were now spent IN playing cards, and
every spare moment at school, when he
could escape the watchful eye of his pre-
ceptor, lie devoted to this ruinous amuse.
ment. At length, be wes compelled to
leave the classes with Bernard and enter
the next grade. His parents we're greatly
mortified, and forbade his playing, except
occasionally, with their permission; but
Harry had acquired love for it, which led
him even to disregard the commands of his
parents.
Finally, his father took him from school
and placed him in business but he was
induced by evil associates to deceive his
employer, and was discharged from his
rervlce. This, of course, as vet more
painful to his parents than his disgrace at
school bad been. Entreaties and exhorta-
lions proving futile, they resorted to
threats. Harry promised again and again
to reform but be could not break the
iron chains by which ne was bound.
Need trace every step Of his sad bis
loryT From the card table at his fathers
1reslde, he went to the gambling saloon
rom stalking knives, handkerchief, and
'ther little articles" to betting and losing
lis pocket money and every little valuable
'e possessed. He then borrowed money.
hoping 10 win again, drank deeply of the
intoxicating bowl, pressed to his lips by
wicked companions, aud fiualy forged his
atler's name.
Here his father lost all patience with his
rf'ng son, and forbade him ever to enter
''s threshold again. Through the solici,a-
ion Of one Of IIarry's lovely sisters, and
save the family from disgrace. his father
aid the money, but refused to forgive him
ntil be should give genuine evidence o
eform.
For some time, it seemed that Harry had ,
ealIy given up bis evil habits and associa.
ons. For the sake of that sister who had .
aved him from final disgrace, and the love 1
@ bore her, he vowed never to look upon
'e wine cup again, nor touch card. Did
9 keep his vowsa
Bernard Courtney had chosen as his ,
rotession the glorious work OF proclaim.
e the gospel to fallen man. lie WAS now 1