The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1900-10-25
BEAUTY TAUGHT Him.
THE SIGNIFICANT QUESTION.
"Do You Know That ! Am A
Gambler


Not long since we were in converse
ton with pastor of one OF our city
churches, and he told us of an incident
in which the question at the head Of
this editorial was asked. He had In
his congregation a bright, popular
young woman. Her home was an at
tractiye place for the leading young
men OF her acquaintance. She made
it exceedingly delightful tor them and
their visits were frequent and pleasant.
One of the leading features in her
methods OF entertaining them was
card-playing. But one day she said to
the pastor: II am done with card
playing In our home. never intend
to have another game of that sort un-
der our roof" She was asked the
reason, and she proceeded: "The
other night one of my young gentle
men friends called as usual, and in the
course of our pleasant entertainment
at the card table, he said to me, do
you know that am a gambler? The
remark horrifed me, and asked him
what he meant. He replied, Il mean
exactly what I say. I am gambler.
I visit the leading places Of this sort
in the city and play as matter of
business, and mako and lose money at
it, too. It has become a mania with
me, and learned it here in your house
and in the homes of the leading So
ciety people of this city, That was
enough for me, and from henceiorth
card-playing will have no place in our
home." This was an eye-opener to
that young woman, and she was
startled to learn that she had helped to
TO train young man in the art of
gambling. But her experience Is not
exceptional. Card playing is one OF
the most fascinating entertainments In
which the average young man can en-
gage. When you once teach him the
tricks of the game, he is liable to try
his skill and expert knowledge where it
will have some opportunity 10 remun-
crate him. He will betake himself to
the giIded resort with other young
men of his acquaintance and play for
something more than amusement.
And when he once gets his hand in,
he develops mania for it as all-absorb-
ing as the appetite of the topper for
liquor. As matter of fact, there is
but one step from the habit OF card
playing in the popular home to profes-
s,onaI gambling in the resorts of the
city. And the card-playing home is
the incipient school tor teaching expert
There is where the most of
our young gamblers in the cities learn
their first lessons and get their first
Therefore, society young
women are largely responsible for the
ruin of many of the young men of the
They open to them their
first door of temptation and entangle |
them with the attractions and infatua-
lions of the card-table. It is our can
did judgment that game of cards
has no more place in Christian home
than den OF rattle snakes. The par
ents who encourage such things are
actually criminal in their relation to
young men and women. And in view
of the widespread evil of gambling a
mong men, all Christian people ought
in every way possible to discourage the
social game in the home circle. Card
playing and wine drinking in the home
make up pair OF the most insidious
,ins that can invade the domestic |
realm. They lead to gambling and
oftener than to any other !
result.