Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-11-28
Written for the Sentinel.
ONCE.

biu you ever utueHu the tncatr6 SaiU
young man to beautiful maiden who hung
on his arm as they promenaded the streets
of New York one mild evening in the month
of October. Her cheeks crimsoned as she
replied 20 the question in the negative and
added
my mother has taught me from child.
hood that 1t is wrong to attend such places y
But your mother formed, Perhaps i'm.
proper prejudices from exaggerated accounts
given by Others. have often heard hel
say she never attended one In her llfe"
He spoke eloquently of the drama, comedy
and tragedy, and dwelt with pathos on the
important lessons there 10 be learned Of
human nature.
go with me once" said he, sand Judge
for yourself" Persuasion and curiosity tri-
umphed over mothers precept and exam.
pie as she with hesitation answered, al will
go but once"
She went, and in that theatre u charm
came over her like that which the serpent
sent forth from his dove-like eye. She went
again, and from that house of mirth and
laughter she was led to one from the portals
Of which she never returned.
Around centre table where the astral lamp
was shedding a mild light, sat three young
ladies, one holding in her hand pack of
cards. Atthe back of her chair stood young
man who, for years, had successfully resisted
every effort made by his companions to In.
duce him to learn the game
"Come," said she, 1--WE want one TO make
our game. Play with us once ii you never
play again
Her eye, check and lips conspired 10 form
an eloquent battery which sent forth its
attacks upon the fortress Of good resolu.
tions in which he had long stood secure, I'M
I'll II fell like the walls of an ancient city
when Jared by the fearful battering nam.
He learned the cards and played A few
weeks afterwards in passing his room might
be seen nearly every hour Of the night a
dim light struggling through the curtains
that screened the inmates of that room from
every eye, save His who seeth alike In dark
ness and MONDAY.
Gaming brought with 10 disease, and in
the prime Of life he was cut down, and to
one who sat beside his dying bed he said,
81 might have been different man from
what am, but il is too late, I am convinced
that there is state of being beyond the
grave. and when think Of the retribution
which awaits me In another world, feel
horror which language is inadequate 20
describe and thus he passed away.
Among the callers on New Years day in
the City Of Philadelphia was young man
who had never tasted intoxicating drink, he
had paid many visits during the day and
had resisted every effort TO induce him to
indulge in the wines set out on such occa-
sions towards tho close of the day he
called upon one whom he soon expected to
lead to the hymenesl altar. After partal<ing
of many Of the deicacies set before him she
said, Eddie you have not tried my wine,
II is some Of my make, take n glass with
me"
Laura you know I never drink" he re-
piled.
She assured him il was harmless, he re-
fused, she appealed To him "if he loved her
join her In only one glass
He did love her-he drank. To day he
fills drunkard's grave, and she the widowed
mother Of three fatherless children mourns
his loss
Oneei OH on this slender point has turn
cd for veal or woe the destiny Of deathless
spirit Caesar paused but once on the banks
Of the Rubicon, but II was pause like that
which nature makes when gathering her
elements for the dread tornado Eve ate Of
the forbidden fruit but once, and her count
less posterity have felt the fearful conse-
quences resulting from 80 rash an act
Reader. remember once. V.
BETHESDA, Nov. 18th.