Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-04-12
powN Tn q LADDER.
|. wrecked and Isuinea MAJ

wrecked anu hacAhe
Among the observations one actively and
constantly engaged on the columns OF q
daily city newspaper, there are many OF
sad and painful character. Some OF these,
az duty dictates, are given to the public,
while very many others, in obedience to
his good impulses, are locked away forever
or torn as a sad life-leaf from his memory
book and forgotten as other events trans
pire daily before him. case OF more
than ordinary interest and of deeply mel
ancholy character, recently occurred IN
this city, the particulars OF when are
known to few beside the writer OF TINS.
Thew are referred to with no view OF har-
rowing up painful "reminiscences, but Tor
the purpose Of warning others against IKE
results from like causes. We shall not
mention the names of the party nor even
| the town whence he came, but affirm that
| it is true-to the letter.
| Not many years since there lived IN
| beautiful and fourishing town on the line
| of one of our railroads, in an adjoining
State, not fifty miles from the State line, a
youth of extraordinary promise and brli-
liant natural gifts He was of the first
families of the section, and ms
] correct habits and manly bearing
| IN 4O6 MIN ll6 CAdLtJAd1 VI O1hOA
| and he was looked upon as a paragon OF
excellence. He was blessed with fine edu-
| cational facilities which we're assiduously
cultivated. Possessing taste for mercan-
tile pursuits, he entered a prominent
, wholesale and retail establishment where
he soon developed capacities of the first
J order and proved a valuable acquisition to
J | the proprietors. OF handsome person
: fine'business tact, and pleasing address h'
| captivated and made friends of all wh'
I | knew him. He finally entered into bust
ness for himself His was one of the mos
: popular stores in town, and bushes
q flowed rapidly in upon him. Though quit
+" Young he felt, as did his many friends
/. | that he had made an even and fair stal
" with life. At this time he led to the altar
If beautiful, trusting and loving wife. Fol
!. | tune continued to smile, and the veal
Is | passed rosily. Four beauteous childre
blessed their marriage. 1t would be we
is if we could stop here. In 1864 he con
menced drinking; the next year he was
l. habitual drinker. His business was ne
to | lected. To regain what had been lost, at
rs | venture, he resorted to the faro bank. II
ty balance is soon told. All his property W
tx |. swept away and with it his good nam
of His associates were now the vicious al
" depraved. Even his family ties we
broken, and through harsh treatment
j. wife and children sought protection aga
of | in the parental home. A divorce followe
in The name of the once promising you
of man became hiss and by-word. I
father and some friends a short time sin
er- procured him a hundred dollars WI
ms which he promised to go to New Orlea
no and enter into some sort of business.
,ut came to this city and in dissipation a
he among the vilest associates the funds W.
try squandered in one week. In carouse
nd was arrested and sent to the workhouse.
ion | friend who had known him in better di
ize went to his rescue and secured his relea
ne But a little time elapsed till he was ag
9 a in the workhouse. This time there =
YER none to extend relief, and few days sin
lch | with common culprits he might have b'
seen beating rock on Summer Street, wo
ing out the penalty imposed for his
Tense! Tie last round IN the ladder 4
our reached! Though his real name has ne
and appeared in the courts or the papers,
mr. case is not in the least exaggerated, 6
rets should be warning to others who wo
ent stand firm not to take the first DOWN.
| cfar