The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-02-23

FEB. 33, 1869.
words of commentator from the lips of
his mother.

Ills mOGucE.
Harry Wilson became SO fond OF play
ing 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 destiny of those sons. Bernard
Courtney was urged to play, and often
laughed at, called coward "a little
boy afraid Of his mother and by many
harsher and more disrespectful terms;
but he steadily adhered to his resolution,
and neither persuasion nor threats could
induce him to displease his mother.
Harry Wilson and Bernard Courtney
were classmates. Harry possessed a
brilliant mind, naturally brighter than
Bernard's, and hence always ranked
above him in his class, until he learned
to play cards. The evenings he had
form erly devoted to study were now spent
in playing cards, and every spare mo
ment at school, when he could escape
the watchful eye of his preceptor, he de
voted to this ruinous amusement. AT
length he was compelled to leave the
classes with Bernard and enter the next
grade His parents were greatly morti-
fed, and forbade his playing except oc-
casionally, with their permission, but
H AIRY had acquired a 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 de-
ceive his employer, and he was discharg
e,t from his service. This, of course,
was yet more painful to his parents, than
his disgrace at school had been. En-
treaties and exhortations proving futile,
they resorted to threats. Harry pronfis
ed again and again to reform; but he
could not break the iron chains by which
he was bound. Need / trace every step
of his sad history? From the card table
at his fathers fireside, he went to the
gambling saloon; from stalking ''knives,
handkerchiefs and other little articles
to betting and losing his pocket money
and everything valuable he possessed
He then borrowed money, hoping 10 win
again, drank deeply of the intoxicating
bowl, pressed to his lips by wicked com
panions, and finally forged his fatber 8
name
Here his father lost all patience with
his erring son, and forbade him ever TO
enter his threshaold again. Through
the solicitation Of one Of Harry's lovely
sisters, and to save the family from dis
grace, his father paid the money, bnt re
fused to forgive HIM till he should give
genuine evidence o: reform.
For some time it seemed that Harry
had really given up his evil habits and
associations. For the sake of that sister
who had saved him from final disgrace,
and the love he bore her, he vowed new
er to look upon the wine cup again, nor
touch q card. Did he keep his VOWS?
Bernard Courtney had chosen as his
profession the glorious work of pro
claiming the gospel to fallen man. He
was now the pastor Of large and pros
porous church in neighoring city, hon
ored and beloved by all who knew him,
and the sole support of his widowed
mother in her declining years. He hat
watched the downward career of his
friend. Harry Wilson, and had done all
in his power to save him, but in vain.
After Harry had made his solemn
promise to his sister, be wrote to Rer
nard and told him Of his purposes, ask
ing him to use his influence to procure
him situation, promising to be faithful
to the trust.
Bernard soon procured him pleasant
position as clerk in the house Of one of
the members Of his church. with com
Portable salary gave him a home in his
own house. and procured 70; him the po-
sition in society TO which his birth and
education entitled him, but for his evil
habits. For two years Harry remained
true Bernard's 8 heart rejoiced to believe
that his companion was reclaimed, and
that he had borne a small share in his
reformation.
Harry was attending large party Civ
Ell by his employer to his only daughter,
the dasing belle of the city. Wine was
being drunk by both ladies and gentle
men. Harry alone refused the sparkling
goblet.
sMr. Wilson, take a glass Of wine
urged the dashino belle
Excuse me. if you please, do not
wish any said Harry.
Still she pleaded, Just one sip, only
ore to my health
Harry looked at his fair temptress.
How could he resist?
Again she urged. He te ok the glass
with trembling hand, touched it to his
lips, and replaced it. In an instant the
old flames were relighted; he seized the
glass eagerly, and drank the last drop.
Still he took another, and vet another
glass, until the demon ayosc again with
in his bosom, and his passions were all
aroused.
Again he mingled with the weak and
dissipated, again he sought the gaming
table to obtain means with which to
quench his Unsuitable thirst, for his sala
ry would not meet the demands, and this
time his ruin was final and complete.
He drank until he was seized with de-
iirium tremens. The monsters that haun
ted him were not alone creeping serpents
and crawling reptiles, but ever rising
from their midst was the form of a beau
tltul woman; anon toying with these dead
ly animals, from which he endeavored in
vain to rescue her, and pursuing him
with them; smilingly presenting him with
beautiful flowers, beneath whose fra
I -ls-x