The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-04-17
OUR SUNDAY COLUMN.
Original and Otherwise Pre-
pared by Mark.
NO. IS.

NO. 10.
Here is an anonymous note in the
shape of request that has been ro-
ceived by Mark. l do not know the
name of the individual who wrote the
note. think have seen him and have
been introduced to him, but could not
for the life of me recall his name. So
he is safe and am safe in giving pub
Lefty to the request. As general
thing l never pay any attention to
anonymous notes, but somebody ought
to attend TO this unsigned communion
ton. Here it is:
Il would like you to write letter on
tho great evil of gambling dens, poker
rooms, etc. The whole town is infested
with gam blers-a far greater evil, in
extent, than whiskey drinking. You
would be surprised at the number. OF
dens in operation here"
Personally would hardly know how
to go about this matter. do not know
how any of these games of chance
are managed. I do not know one
card from another, and if l were to
witness game would not be able to
tell which was the winner or loser.
anothe part of tho State l had gam
bier to visited me in my library one
morning and make full confession to
me. l did not know his name. He
was Intelligent and sober and declared
that he had never been under the in
fiuence of whiskey-that he played
strong games and had to have clear
head. He told me how the fascination
of the gambling spirit had controlled
him. He was under spell. he told
me where he had been the night before
and who the men were that visited such
places-how they were away from their
homes and loved ones on first one pre-.
tense then another-how they deceived
their wives, daughters, parents and
pastors-giving this and that excuse for
absence when the real cause of absence
from home at night was their presence
in the gaming rooms. He begged me to
do something to call the attention of
authorities to these places, and if posi-
BILE remove the temptation from him
and others. He was in terrible earnest.
| com municated what he had told me to
a body of men banded together for moral
reform, and am glad to add that very
soon there were some healthy raids,
and men of note wero routed. But dear
bless me, what hard and discouraging
time we had to get the authorities to
pay any attention to the matter.
Sam Jones is coming to town soon.
He knows all about these gambling
bells, and understand he has remedy.
He will ventilate Roanoke in many
places. 1t would be we'll for the au-
thorities to lay in large supply Of disin-
fectants, for unless the wind be high when
Sam Jones begins to upturn the earth
and release the gases, we shall need
disinfectants and high winds. And yet
do not believe he will find it much
worse here than in other cities that are
subjected to the same conditions as our
own great and growing city. 1 will not
supersede Sam Jones. He will have,
however, much difficulty in suppresaing
the vice OF gain bling or making it
odious, because the low game men and
women hayo tho example Of gambling
in high life-in Christian homes, in the
parlors even of church officials. Here
is whore the fat'l fascination with
many first fastens itself In the carnal
heart. Many young man can say to-
day that he learned to become gambler
in Christian home. trust and pray
that Sam Jones will give this high life,
progressive euchcr. etc., black eye.
And he will. Young men, sons
in the elegant parlor and go from thence
to graduate in dens of hell. Oh, ladies,
Christian ladies, cream of society and
leaders of fashion, who hath betwitched
you? Rise and Danish from your homes
this insatiate Moloch of passion and be
clean of tho blood of ruined souls. God
pity the gamblers in our city. And
heaven pity tho men and women who
furnish these secret apartments for the
work of the devil. God pity them and
give them repentance and better minds.
/ wanted to say something by way Of
a friendly warning to young man, who
came to our city few weeks ago.
Dear young man, have seen you twice
of late under the influence of whiskey.
And it was bad whiskey, too. Let me beg
you to give up your cups and save your
self. You are young and intelligent and
at no distant day expect to be married.
You are now engaged in an honorable
calling, but If you continue to visit tho
saloons you will not only disqualify
yourself for the work assigned you, but
you will lose your position. Suppose
that sweet lady whom you expect, in
month or two, to call your bride were to
see you with all the evidences of over
much whiskey drinking as have seen
you twice within q week, What would
she think? Oh young man as you love
your betrOthed and love yourself, and
desire to make your life honorable, use
full and happy, abandon your cups and
quit the saloon forever. MARK.
Strong Testimony.
r-1