The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1906-05-09

eom the Laws of Georgia.
r,.o Unfortunate man referred to
l ho following from the Golden
Mr.. VIII D. Upshaw's paper,
-orqIIv known to the editor
The News. Before his down
-, was one of the most promi-
On ant and most popular men OF his
sation of Georgia. Big hearted,
,oniaI and of unblemished charac-
~ he had the esteem and friend
hin Of everyone who knew him.
Pn'5 Glory as told by the Golden
Age follows;
Five wears ago a certain capable
nror living in a we'll known
roorcia town might we'll have been
elected as the one citizen most like
= to distinguish himself and reflect
honor upon his community. lie
Was thirty-fve years OF age, happi-
married, and modestly boasted
.bo+ he did not know the taste of
rbiskev nor tobacco. He owned
bis home, and some good farms,
made a good income from his prac-
+ico published a county paper, and
discharged efficiently the duties OF
county school commissioner. Hav-
inc been a member OF the state SEN
.+e he had his little fling in poll
,ics AS he had made a good rec
ord in the legislature and retired
with interrupted habits one might
have concluded him staunch and
safe. Big of body, he was likewise
bic Of brain, and big-hearted. 1t
seemed to give him pleasure to help
I the needy; he gave cordially to the
support Of his church.
Today that man is a fugitive from
pstice. Several indictments charg-
jng enlightenment, cheating and
swindling, forgery and other kim
#dred crimes yawn as the open pris-
4 on door on the docket book of his
country He dares not face the
q court where once his eloquence and
his. logic shared hOnors with the
keenest criminal advocate in the
state.
A strong man caught in the cur
rent Of the undertow! He was
strong man; he was a good man; at
the age of thirty-fve he did nOtpos
sess the elements of villiany. He
had been reared on a farm, and had
wrought his way to promise by
sheer merit. He was worthy of all
the confidence the people reposed in
him.
Then, whence his ruin? The
bucket shop! The same insidious,
strong right arm of the devil which
is blasting more homes and blacken-
ing more souls in our south today
than the rumshops. He knew this
current was dangerous. Others
embarking weaker than he, he knew,
must faint, but surely with his ex-
perience, his legal learning, his
sober life, he could trust himself to
steer safely through treacherous
shoals. Serene in in his confidence
he began to play the game.
When losses came larger than his
own funds could cover he could
borrow from the trust funds in his
hands and no one should ever know
IL ne won and replaced 1T. linen,
lost again. The game grew desper-
ate. To quit now meant poverty
and Some humiliation. He felt the
aour had struck to recoup his
losses. Did he have nerve"
enough to act on his judgment?
Yes, he had nerve; why throw away
Inc golden opportunities when only
lew conventionalities" stood be-
tween him and the money for the
stake, Confident that his time to
VIM mad come, he gathered every
dollar that he could borrow by pro-
cess fair or foul, staked it on the
ggame-and lost. Honor, reputa-
5aon, character-all lost! Perhaps
MS eternal soul lost!
mere remained to him choice OF
only three sources. Suicide? The
|eahllng S refuge! He was young
YET, and mental colossus. No, he
was no weakIIng; he would live.
Surrender?
Inc honestcOurse, to be sure, but
ne could not make restitution, and
"l'houtrestitution surrender meant
-Oag and weary years in prison, and