The Magnolia gazette., 1879-10-24

immense sums OF money, but it all went
for nothing but TO feed the extravaganza
and recklessness of my evil genius. Tor
tured by remorse, made many strug-
giles to free myself from the evil connec-
tion that blighted my life, but in vain,
when death lifted the shadow from my
path. The unhappy woman died and 1
was free. I felt like new man. The
glowing hopes that had been smothered
revived. worked hard and prospered.
l made money and saved it, making oc-
casional remittances to the family at
home, who were overioyed to hear from
me after so long and guilty silence.
II had learned to gamble, of course,
but now resolved to quit. For two
years kept the resolution, and had in
the meantime saved over $4,000. Do
you believe that the devil tempts men {?
tell you it is true. began to feel a
strange desire to visit my old haunts.
yielded, and found my way to a we'll
known gambling hell, where 1 lost every
dollar of my hard-earned money. My
self-contempt was complete. 1 sneaked
to my lodgings, feeling that / had some
how parted with my manhood as we'll as
my money.
"The very next day I was surprised
by the offer of lucrative subordinate
position in Federal Office in San Fran
cisco. This was not the first coinci-
dence of the sort in my life where an un-
expected influence had been brought to
bear upon me, giving my plans and pros
poets new direction. Has God any
thing TO do with these things, or is it
accident? l took the place which was
offered to me, and went to work with re-
newed hope and energy. made vow
against gambling and determined to re-
gain all had thrown away. I saved ev-
cry dollar possible, pinching myself in
my living, and supplementing my liberal
salary by literary labors. My savings
had again run up high in the Thousand
and my gains were steady. The Frazer
River mining excitement broke ont. An
old friend of mine came to me and asked
the loan of $100 to help him out Of the
new mines. / told him that he should
have the money, and that would have
it ready for him that afternoon. After
he left the thought occurred to me that
$100 was very poor outfit for such an
enterprise, and that he ought to have
more. Then the thought was suggested
yes, sir, it was suggested-that l
might take the hundred dollars to faro
bank and win another to place in the
hands of my friend. I was fully resolv-
ed to risk not cent beyond this. We
went together, and after alternate sue
cesses and losses at the faro table, it
ended in the usual way lost the hun
dred dollars. The old passion was rous-
ed again. A wild determination to break
the faro bank took hold upon me. l
went night after night, betting reckless
", until not dollar was left. This hap
J pened last week. Can you wonder that
have concluded that there is no hope
for as weak fool as I am? Now, sir,
) candidly, don't you think that the best
thing can do is to blow out my brains?"
said he, cooking the pistol as he spoke.
The thought occurred to me that it
was no uncommon thing for the suicidal
} to give way for the homicidal mania.
J The man was evidently half mad, and
ready for tragedy,
"How old are you?" 1 asked, aiming
to create diversion.
''I am forty-fve." he answered, appa-
! rently brought to little more recollec-
|, ton of himself by the question.
: "I should think" continued, having
arrested his attention, "that whatever
may have been your follies, and however
; dark the future you have to face, you
have too much manhood TO sneak out OF
} life by the back door Of suicide"
The shot struck. In an instant O
! change passed over his countenance.
} Suicide appeared to him in new light
as cowardly, not heroic act. That
was all gone the suicide was but q poor
} creature. weak as we'll as wicked. He
was saved.
"You should be ashamed Of yourself
SIR" continued, "you are only forty
five years old you are in perfect health,
, with almost piant's strength. q cIassi
cal education, extensive business expert
ence, and with knowledge of life by
your very mistakes that should be qua
rantee against the possibility Of their re
petition. A brave man should neyel
give up the battle-the bravest mel
never give up"
He said quietly, II will not act th'
. part Of coward. You will hear from