Montgomery County sentinel., 1880-04-30
z gleasamt sturp.
SAVED FROM SUICIDE.

On GD ROUl OUlOlUE.
From the advanced sheets of "Calilornia
Sketches" by Rev. DR.. o. p Fitzgerald, ed
itor of the Nashville Christian 1dpOcate, we
take the following descriptive of "an inter-
view"
As | was coming out of the San Francisco
post office one morning in the year 1856, a
tall, dark-skinned man placed himself in
front of me, and fixing his intensely glitter
ing eyes upon me, said in an excited tone:
"Slr can you give me a half hour of your
time this morningY"
"les," replied, "if can be of any SER
vice to you by so doing"
Not here but in your office, privately" )"
he continued. Il must speak to somebody,
and having heard you preach in the church
on Pine street, felt that could approach
you | am in great trouble and danger, and
must speak to some onew
His manner was excited, his hand trem-
bled, and his eyes had an insane CLEAN as
he spoke. We walked in silence until we
reached my Office on Montgomery street
After entering | laid down my letters and
papers, and was about TO offer him chair,
when he hurriedly locked the door on the
inside, saying as he did so:
"This conversation is to be private, and
do not intend To be interrupted"
AS he turned toward me saw that he had
pistol in his hand, which he laid on desk
and then sat down. waited for him to
speak, cycling him and the pistol closely, and
feeling little uncomfortable, locked in thus
with madman efalmost giant-iike size and
strength. The pistol had sinister look that
| had never before recognized in that popu-
lar weapon. 1t seemed to grow bigger and
bigger
"Have you ever been haunted by the idea
Of suicideg" he asked abruptly, his eyes
glaring ON me AS he spoke.
"No, not particularly" answered, "but
why do you ask"
"Becausc the idea is haunting me-" he said
in an agitated tone, rising from his chair ~
he spoke. " have lain for two nights with
cooked pistol in my hand, calculating the
value of my life. | bought this pistol to
shoot myself WITH and wonder that have
not done it; but something has held me
back"
"What has put the idea of suicide into
your mind p inquired.
"My lilc's n failure, sir; and there is moth.
ing left for such a fool as have been" he
said bitterly.
"When man has no hope left he should
die"
was making some reply when he broke
in
" Hear my history, and then tell me If
death is not the only thing left for me-" lay
ing his hand upon the pistol as he spoke.
When he told me his name recognized
il as that OF a man Of genius, whose contri-
buttons 10 II certain popular periodical had
given him u wide fame In the world of let.
ters lie was the son Of venerable New
England bishop, and agraduate Of Harvard
University. will give his story in his own
words, as nearly as can.
In 1850 | started 10 California with hon.
orable purpose and high ambition. Ny
father being clergyman, and poor and
greatly advanced in years, | felt that it was
my duty 10 make provision for him and for
the lamily-circle to which belonged and of
which | was the idol. Animated by this
purpose, | was full Of hope and energy. On
the ship that took me ~ California, made
the acquaintance and fell into the snares Of
a beautiful but unprncipled woman for
whom toiied and sacrificed everything for
eight years Of weakness and folly never re-
uniting dollar to those had intended to
provide for at home, carrying all the while
an uneasy conscience and dcspising myself
had made immense sums Of money, but Il
all went for nothing but TO feed the extrav-
agance and recklessness Of my evil genius.
Tortured by remorse, made many strug.
gle 10 free myself from the evil connection
that blighted my life, but In vain. had al.
most ceased 10 struggle against my fate, when
death lifted the shadow from my path. The
unhappy woman died and | was free. was
astonished how rapid and how complete was
the reaction from my dispair | felt like
new man. The growing hopes that had
been smDthered revived, and felt some.
thing Of the buoyancy and energy with
which had left my New England hills. !
worked hard and prospcred made
money and saved il, making occasional re.
mittances 10 the family at home, who were
oyerjoyed 10 hear from me after - long and
guilty silence hadn't the heart 10 writo
b them while pursuing my evil life.
had learned 10 gamble, Of course, but
now resolved 10 quit H. For two years
kept this resolution, and had In the mean.
time saved over six thousand dollars. DO
you believe that the devil tempts meng !
tell you, sir, II Is truel began 10 feel
strange desire 10 visit some Of my old haunts.
This feeling became intensely oyennaster-
H. Gs.N.