Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-02-10

A SAD LESSON.

The city papers have just told US the story
of man high in social position, bonored for
his courage aud fidelity as soldier, and re-
Gently elevated by bis fellow citizens to a high
and responsible station, who, in an evil hour,
has fallen victim to the vice of gaming.
What lesson for boys and young men The
passion for gambling was dreadfully exempli-
fed in our midst, on the occasion of the Mont
pelier drawing. Boys, and even women sat
all day, and some of the latter, all night, listen
ing to the monotonous cry of numbers, and the
occasional calling of prize, iu the vain hope
that their number would be drawn, and with
it great prize. 1t was a sad, though exciting
scene. There seems to be passion 10 the hu-
man breast for this unholy reliance upon
chances, and this, We regret to say, Is too Of
ten fostered by those who should discourage it.
When young man goes to church falr, or
festival in aid of some charity, lovely face
puts on pleading look, and a soft sweet voice
asks him to .'take chance in this beautiful
set of silver, or this elegant cake" and how
can he refuse Even the little boys are tempt
ed by the sweet little girls to give five or ten
cents for chance in this beautiful doll, or that
ul6 Dlu CuSuLUuY Guu olC cOLCilCQ " pue tuOii
hands into the grab bag, or take one turn upon
''the wheel of fortune by pious lady, per.
haps herself mother.
Little do these ladies think that in the back
rooms of confectioaaries, and in bar rooms, the
seed they SOW will soon blossom, and their
dear boys will spend many a winter evening
rafting Tor cakes, and, perchance, whillDg
away the time by an occasional call for drinks.
Soon, keno and faro follow, aud the youth,
now and then, comes home a little intoxicated.
Few suspect, however, bow deeply he is in.
volved in the bonds of the dreadful slavery to
gaming, until, like thunder from clear sky,
the revelation bursts upon our astounded com
munity.
But two or three years ago dreadful exam
pie of this occurred 10 Alexandra. A young
merchant, of smisble character and unblenish.
ed reputation, the hope OF fond father and
one who gave promise Of fulfilling all the hopes
entertained for him. sapguine as they were, was
suddenly found to have lost, at the gaming ta-
BILE, all his means and to have involved others
to a considerable amount. Overwhelmed with
shame and sorrow, which not even the sympa-
thy of the entire community could alleviate,
the old, gray haired father sold his home, that
be might redeem, as far as might be, the honor
Of his son, and left place which had become
emblttered to MIN Dy the ruin OF hls hopes;
while the unfortunate young man made the
same effort by commencing life, uuder humber
auspices. 10 distant city. "All things" says
the Apostle ''are indeed lawful to me, but all
things are not expedient," and though there
may be no BARN per SO in a rafh, for cbarita-
BILE object its evil consequences are SO plainly
to be seen, that We beg the young ladies to
pause before they thus tempt their brothers,
kbo;r in,n hnohopA Mopc q
lonely night watch. for the son or husband,
who may be brought in dying or dead may be
the consequence OF their thoughtlessness. And
you, dear boys, we implora, as you value your
own happiness. here and hereafter, to shun the
wine cup and the gaming table as you would
the pestilence. Remember that there is but
one sure and honorable way of acquiring pro-
pcrty, the exerton ofyour own talent and your
own industry. No blessing ever comes with
money gotten without labor.-Acadenay Jour,
nal