The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1882-12-22

A FORTUNATE JEST.

A certain young man, llVihg not
Il thousand miles from the city OF
London, had at the age OF one.dnd.
twenty, come into the possession OF
% large fortune.
Immediately thereupon the fair
weather irie ds assembled about
him, and sought to make him be-
lieve that they could make life pleas
ant Tor him. He was foud of com.
pany tull of Lille; with no restraint
save his own conscience; and he
was easily led on into the glare aud
glitter OF convivial enjoyment.
His mother bad died when he was
youth of sixteen, and his father
had lived but u year longer. Aud
he had no near relative to guide
him.
Once be bad loved beautiful
young girl. but his dissipated course
had frightened her parents, and
they had forbidden him their house
until he could truly mend. This
had SO angered him that he had
torn the image out from his heart,
resolving that he would never be q
slave!
Aud he was living a brilliant,
glorious life, he knew-or, at least,
he told himself so. He drank deep
er; aud, anon, he came to the gu
ming.table. liz short, every vice
tthat a wealthy spendthriIt might
tind tleeting pleasure in, he indul
ged in.
And the circle of friends clung
closely. They swore by him /; de-
clared him trump. They drank
bis wine, and robbed him OF his
money; and it new source OF
pleasure could be found, they all
went in for the enjoyment aud he
paid the bill
One day, after his eye had become
bleared and his step uncertain, he
met the girl he had once loved, in
the street. He read pity IN her
sweet face, saw tears IN her eyes
yet be thought of her until bis wild
friends were again around him.
One day he went to the bank aud
drew out thousand pounds.
That night he sat down in his
own apartments, with his own wine
upon the sideboard, and his own
cards upon the table aud played
with his dear friends! The wine
flowed freely, be drank deeply, aud
the game went on recklessly. They
played for high stakes, aud played
fast and late.
On the following morning the
young man awoke with a bursting
head aud aching eyes. By-and.by
he called to miiRl the events of the
| night. He looked into his pocket
book aud into his purse. Empty,
both Aud be remembered he had
given his checks to various mem
bers of the party tor large amounts.
He found the counterfUils, aud they
told him he had drawn his checks
to the amount OF over two thousand
pounds!
But what of thati Before uight
he had drank brandy enough to
steady his nerves aud make him
once more happy.
| Another evening came, and agaln
his friends were assembled round
his board. He had got up u grand
supper for them this time! and at
ter the various courses OF food had
passed In order, came the wine and
the toasls.
And one of the friends, to WHOM
u large check had beeu given, 90
up to offer Il sentiment.
\ "Fill upl all upp he cried
"while | give you the toast OF th,
evening! Here's TO our sober ane
thrifty hostl May he ever be ~
sensible an he is nj this moment ]
/ It was drank with ebeers-tbre'
times three.
Ii WIS observed that from tina
moment the spirits OF thei, hos
seemrd 10 TAIL him. lie becaml
moody and abstracted. By.and.b'
nome one banterea him upon Il, an'