The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-03-18
Select Story.
A STORY FOR YOUNG MEN.


A young man lay upon q sofa In a
waking dream. HIS thoughts were in
the future, aud fancy dwclt with bril-.
liant images. On the morrow he was to
depart for distant city, aud there enter
law Office to study the profession he
had chosen. He had talents and was
ambitious. Up to this period of his life
he had dwelt chiefly in the country, re.
ceiving his education at college in the
neighborhood. He was pure minded
and free from the vices that scnsualize
SO many Of oar young men.
So lost was he in his waking dream
that present things faded out of his
mind. He saw only success, the proud
satisfaction that awaited him in the fu.
ture.
81 will stand among the first, he said
in his thoughts, with every pulse leap
ing in full throbs along the arteries.
A kiss upon his forehead dispersed
his fancies, and in instead of unreal
things he saw the face Of his mother
bending over him. How full of love il
was !-tender, yearning, anxious love.
"How can let you 20, Alfredl" she
murmured.
at is hard, dear mother" he answer
ed, drawing his arm around her neck
and kissing her fondly in return, "But
il is best You sec that as well as do.
| could live but half life here in the
country. You know | have talents and
ambition for wider sphere. You shall
be proud of your son, dear mother"
On. the next day be went away.
A large city is dangerous place for
young man who has no charmed home
circle to draw aim back from its many
false enticements. Ii the youug mans
early years have been passed in the
country, the danger is still greater.
81 will see what is to be-" he said
eommuning with himself. 1--WE must
know the world If we would tread its
paths with sure foot. lam not afraid"
Social, witty aud generous, he was
not long without eompanionships.-
Within few weeks from the time he
entered the city he was introduced to a
coterie Of young men, mostly law stu,
dents, who met two or three times q
week for tho purpose of selfimprove.
ment. They had room fitted up with
library, and took many of the periodi-
calls Of the day. But cards, wine, and
cigars occupied usually more of their
attention than books aud periodicals.
The literary designation Of their club
was mere feint to blind parents aud
curiously prying friends and relatives.
Our young friend saw, on the eve-
ming Of his introduction TO the club,
that it was false pretence, and its as
sociation demoralizing. But the young
men were so fresh aud witty, the wine
so exhilarating and the cards so absorb.
ing, that he soon found himself within
the sphere Of common enjoyment, aud
partaking with a zest.
He was not used to much wine his
second glass confused his senses for o
little while, and the third gave him a
strangely buoyant feeling that annoyed
him. A sense Of fear and shame, 40
companied this feeling, aud he resolved
to drink no more that evening. So he
passed the bottle when ID next came
around; but his neighbor filed his glass
for him, saying:
"Don't be afraid Of this wine, it's no
stronger than water" lf
He was lifting his glass when his
hand stopped midway. Theu he sat il
down and did not touch the wine again,
-.This is dull work." exclaimed one
of the company as be took a pack Of
cards and began to shuttle them at tho
close Of the game.
"Let's have shilling stake Just for
the excitement, of the thing. Even boys
don't play marbles for fun, nor shoe. at
pennies or pick eggs without the. hope