Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-01-21
ALesson TO Yo,inn Men.

In these days Of detalcations aud
breaches of trust, there are two causes
which more than any other lead to such
offences, and these two causes, 1t is almost
needless to say, are the drinking of spir-
ituous liquors to excess and gambling.
The first naturally leads to the latter, and
the latter counts Its victims by the score
among young men.
There is scarcely daily paper We pick
up which does not bear us out IN this
assertion, but one case Of recent occur
renee demands more than 6 passing notice,
and We propose to call the special atteu-
ton Of young men occupying responsible
positions to it.
A young man of highly respectable
appearance, whose name it is not neces-
sary to give here, stood at the bar of the
Court, charged with the crime Of robbing
his employer. He did not deny his guilt
but told the story of bis crimes and beg
ged the clemency Of the Court. His story
in substance was that he did not intend to
steal the money, but had only used it 70
recover money that he had lost IN gam
bling, intending to return 1t when fortune
favored him.
He was q graduate from the Western
University, Of highly respectable parent
age. and held a position which insured
him a liberal salary, troops Of fricnds,aua
the entree to the best society; but IN sd
evil hour he was icj into gambling tie
lost his mOaey Of course, and in the VAN
hope of getting il back he was tempted 60
rob his employer. Toe next night he Wis
tied the house again, and lost all his money.
Then i, seemed 70 him that be could not
lose 90 the third night, and 50 he toes
$40 from the money-drawer and went a
third time to the house thinking that he
would certainly be abe TO replace the
money in the morning This money Wa
lost, aad ., he end O. the week h. had
taken $500 from the wouey-irAwer.
81 was nearly Wild, he said, because
| only took the money to win back VIVA,
| took the first time, aud all this time ny
employer was treating me so kindly that
l te.t as If l should q crazy. One night
/ called at my employers house 70 max,
a clean breast Of it, but he was not Il
home. and on ny Vay back | stopped "a,
q gambling house and won Sl25. / ie.t
then | could win enough money TO pay
him back, and | thought 1t would be foo
ish 20 make confession and rum mySs
when | could pay the money back without
letting any one know mad takenit The
next night | won again, and had within
$40 or 500 Of what | had taken Ito
dsy sitter | went TO the gambling house =,
soon as | could get away from the store
ant then l lost al the money that had
gained.
This, probably Is the history Of ninety
nine Young men cut OF every hundred
who are similarly tempted, and as It i,
highly probable that this viii meet the eye
OF some youth who has taken the 6--,
downward step In the same direction, W.
appea. TO hin ty his own se.f-rcspcct, by
the love O.. MS relatives and friends. br
a.. his hopes OF the future, TO stop az once
before 10 Is too 'a,e. Il he has a.read.
taken the frs, step ,e, him 20 to his eu-
poyer without delay. make q full con
ies-ion, and throw himself on that cm-
poyer's mercy. Should he DO this, a.
may vet De well with him. Should be
stihe the voice Of conscience and listen 70
the siren voice Of the ,empter, nothing j.
more certain than he viii eventually be-
come an inmate in ieon's cei-despise1
by his friends and condemned forever after
70 herd with ielons
Money Won at gambling brings with i,
10 blessing under any circumstances. No
professional gambler ever died rich. whi
the same exer'Iyu 70 accumulate money
by such means used IN any houe-, direc-
ton would insure at least a com'or;ab.,
living. and the love and respect Of b..
good men l., youD. uen .4y this lessen
seriously 90 heart, and be ever ready
eXc..4u. wbtu temptation as al., ,bem .
Get thee behind me, Satan.