Nevada County picayune., 1886-11-24
SELF-CONFIDENCE.
BY HELEN CONAN.

William, l have story to tell you"
 "What is it about, grandfather the young man asked, stepping on tue piazza steps, hat in hand. He spoke respectfully but his manner was decidedly impatient.
 "It is about a mistake l made when was a young man." said his grandfather. and there was a quiver in the old mans voice, but William did not notice it.
 He sat down on the steps and famed himself with little jerky swings of his straw hat, wonder Ing why It was his grandfather would persist in forgetting he was no longer a child to be pleased with childish stories, but young man in his nineteeth year,
 'Self-contidence." began tue old gentleman, lis very good thing sometimes but 1t is one of the hardest things in the world 10 keep in its right place. It came near wreckiug my life once. l prided myself upon being d moral young man; even thought l was a model that young men would do well to initiate. l was strictly truthful and honest and was rath- CT industrious. though l spent many an idle moment. did not consider them idle then however. I have no bad habits and never mean to have l would say conti- dently and 1 really meant what l said. My companions, some of them were wild reckless boys, but they were jolly, kind hearted fel- lows and l liked to be with them. I went with them into questionable places, but took no part in their dissipations. l watched them play billiards and pool, went to the ball room and saw them dance, sat with them around card tables in private parlors, but never play ed when they played for money. My mother often remonstrated with me about the company l kept but always quieted her fears by enumerating my many virtues aud telling her hoped my good exam pie would be the means of reform ing my wild companions. This state of things continued for about two years then l began to fall. l quit Sabbath-school, began to be irregular at church, spent Sabbath evening strolling about with my jolly companions and began to play at the gaming tables. was an ex- pert with cards-had learned to be in private parlOrs- and the temp tation to try my skill at the gaming tables in the gambling saloons was very great. yielded and became a regular gambler, 1 liked the taste of wine and it grew upon me. In short, before l was twen- ty two, was one of the most dis reputable young men in all the city. 1 was prevented from com- hitting a great sin by the merciful interference of God. Two of my companions and myself planned to rob a bank. The night we were to do the robbing, l went to my room early, and lay down without un- dressing. We were to meet at one o'clock, and did not intend to go to sleep. was afraid would not awaken in time. l went to sleep however without intending to do so, and when l opened my eyes again, the sun was shining bright ly in at my window. My compan- ions, thinking my heart had failed me at the last, went and did the robbing without my help. They were caught, tried and sent to the penitentiary. My former dissipa- tions and the excitement attending the trial brought on d brain fever that came near ending my life, but thanks be to the Heavenly father it led me back to the path of virtue and with his help l have tried to walk in it ever since"
 Williams face gradually lost its look of impatience, and put on one of genuine concern as his grandia ther continued his story and when it was finished he sat for long time in deep thought.
 "Grandfatherr he said at last "how do you know so well how l have been feeling and acting."