The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-26

Hence, have we any right TO assume that
| II points q moral only for a scene In
second-story Governor-street den. where
men with coats off. hats on
| the back OF their heads, and
fog Of ST oke. with greenbacks and specie
| in full view, and whisky and glasses on
tho table near by Ito pull a fellow
straight you know
| Has the principle OF this law nothing 10
! do with an elegant dra win groom, ornate
! with art, replete with luxury and heavy
| with perfumed warmth, where the fairest
Of Gods creations. in robes OF shimmering
beauty. are playing cards for cut-glass
| and silver. with a punch bowl near by
Ito quiet ones nerves, yoI know? Now,
| which is tWeedledum and which Is tweedle-
| dee? This is but stating the case as 1t
| exists. and though il may open some
soft eyes to the startling juXtaposition
| of the two cases. for she never thought
| before. IL carries no CONFINEMENT OF
the evil: for, thinks she; II could never
become a gambler, and besides, the prizes
are mere trles--sOuvenirs. not wagers.
Mo- Monte Carlos are open in no form
in our country and the living prototype
Of George Eliots poor, delightful
Gwendolen Harleth could scarcely be
possible existence in our circles. But
is principle nothing to adhere to? When
a child unthinkngly takes some forbidden
sweet from the pantry, it is not the loss
of the dainty that makes the offense pun
ishable. There Is a stern principle IN
volved to be instiiled.
Yesl the blessed circumstances Of the
narrow limitations Of your sphere will
ever guard against your becoming a
gambler, with all Of its attendant horrors,
my fair woman! But how about men,
whose paths in life know no boundary
lines, and whose restrictions must come
alone from principle or from the guarding
influence of some revered one whose
precepts and opinions are gentle but
firm upholders of a principle? We have
much In this day of scientific research
of the germ theory, that infinitessimal
seed which plants the disease and is the
destroyer of the human physical forces.
1t is the germ before the cholera that
the sanitary laws of the land are com
batting and striving to uproot. Remove
cause, and no effect can follow. Play
ing for prizes in one sense may not be
thought gambling, but what If it be the
hidden germ Of gambling? Animalcula
are so delicate that they have TO be close
ly examined with a microscope 1t Is the
same with the argument of this still more
delicate matter Our playing for elegant
prizes may never tempt or make any man
play for heavy gains, but will 1t give him
any right minded adherence of the eVll3
VIII il keep him from it? VIII it be n
silent reprOach to him? and Will II not
condone the habit in him? II ne is
strong man and just-minded he viii not
hold you responsible for his fOllies, say
ing: You gave me the apple TO cat OF,
and ] ate Il; the sin be yours" He will
rather say "mine is the sin, that yielded
u temptation" But that does not exempt
you; for above all else because we are
women Of the world--in the sense Of
prominence and positions, of influence,
with cur names known and our move
mepts followed-should we not strive 10
be women Of such pure heart. such high
minds and such worthy deeds that our
very lives are the wise counsellors Of
men. and the approval of every eye that
rests upon USE There is moral atmos-
pm IRE TO keep untainted. sweet and pure
with high aspirations. so that all who
breathe il feel their hearts expand under
its healthful and ennobling influence
This il is that makes of some cities So
called Church going places" where
civilization, cultivation and a sense OF
deccncy impels even the would he un-
godly TO Join the throng Of worshippers
in praise and prayers There this pure
ing the Sabbath day holy" How much
then could this subtle influence of GUS
toms, sanctioned or unsaactiOned ac-
compliSh in cblitcrating one Of he most
disastrous Of all dissipau)as? Suppose
that husbands, sons and brothers hdd a
tacit understanding that playing cards
for wager of any kind would wound
the gentle hearts that made nd guarded
home for them. 1t is most likely that the
majority Of them, at least would respect
the convictions OF these nearest and
dearest TO hem in life and for sentiment
frs, and principle afterwards taboo the
gaming tables man can not thirst for
what he knows not the taste OF, and. CHI
women. let as NOT have IL upon our souls
having carried 10 his lips even so much
as drop OF the poison in SIS miidest and
most diluted form. Gambling does moi
mean "A few paltry dollars cast 10 The
winds and 10 more. II means 4 multitude
OF evils Hooking in its wake too terrible
In their ravages for recital, SC let us play
women's part OF prudence. leaving Valor
10 the men, and trifie not with fire, which
seems but a harmless little blaze with
naosnt put cheer and brightness in Il.
but with the smOuldering possibilities OF
lsmtlng some chance inhammable mat
ter into ecnaagraiion of ruinous con-
sequences far beyond our womaD's ken
heilccuons upon and Investigation of the
subject have brought conclusions ana in
formation quite as startling and disturb
Ms 10 me as may sound to some who win
read THIS article, and like them In re-
caring what have witnessed, am con-
strained to say peccayi! FELIX
The Rosemary teas" promise IN he
among the plclsantest Lenten diversions
The hrst Will be held on Tuesday after.
noon next with Mrs. +. T. CrumD in
charge. one OF the attractive features
VIII be some guessing contest Is with re-
ward 10 the most successful years
membership. 10 the library.
Does II not speak well for the society