Year: 1867

A young man lay upon sofa IN q
waking dream. His thoughts were
in the future, and fancy dwelt with
brilliant images. On the morrow>he
was to depart for distant city, and
there enter law office to study the
profession he had chosen. He had
talents and was ambitious. Up TO
this period of his life he had dwelt
chiefly in the country, receiving his
education at college in the neigh
borhood. He was pure-minded, and
free from the vices that sensualize
SO many of our young men.


So lost was he in his waking dream
that present things faded cut of his
mind. He saw only success, the
proud satisfaction that awaited him
in the future


Il will stand among the first" he
said in his thoughts, with every
pulse leaping in full throbs along the
arteries.


A kiss upon his forehead dispersed
his tancies, and instead of unreal
things he saw the face of his mother
bending over him. How full of
love it was TENDER, yearning, anx-
ieus love.


''How can let you go, Alfred p
she murmured &.


at is hard, dear mother" he an
swered, drawing his arm around her
neck and kissing her fondly in re-
turn. "But it Is best. Yeu can see
that as well as I do. / could live
but half life here in the country
You know l have talents and ambition
for wider sphere. You shall be
proud of your son, dear mother


On the next day he went away.


A large city is dangerous place
for a young man who has no charm ed
home circle to. draw him back from
Its many false enticements. If the
young mans early years have been
passed in the country the danger is
still g1 eater.


81 will see what is to be seen," he
said, communing with himself. "We
must know the world if we would
tread its paths with sure foet 1 am
no. afraid"


Social, witty, and generous, he was
not long without compaRionships.-
Within a few weeks from the time he
entered the city he was introduced
to coterie of young men, mostly
students, who met two or three
times a week for the avewed purpose
of self-improvement. They had
room fitted up with library, and
took many of the periodicals of the
day. The cards, wine, and cigars
occupied usually more Of their at
tention than books and periodicals.
The literary designation Of their
club was a mere feint to blind pa
rents and curiously prying friends
and relatives.


Our young friend saw, on the eve-
ming of his introduction to the club,
that it was false pretence, and its
associations demoralizing. But the
young men were SO genial, so fresh
and witty, the wine 50 exhilarating
and the cards so absorbing that he
soon found himself withinthe sphere
of a common enjoyment, and partak-
ing with zest.


He was not used to much wine; his
second glass confused his senses fer
a little while. and the third gave
him strangely buoyant feeling that
annoyed him. A sense Of fear and
shame accompanied this feeling, and
he resolved to drink no more that
evening. So he passed the bottle
when it next came round; but his
filled his glass for him, say
ing:


stDen't be afraid of this wine, it's
ne stronger than water"


He was lifting his glass when his
hand stepped midway. Then he sat
down and did not touch the wine
again.


"This is dull work. exclaimed
enc of the company, as he took the
pack of cards and began to shuttle
them at the close of game.


eLet's have shilling stake just
for the excitement of the thing
Even boys don't play marbles for
fun, nor shoot at pennies nor pick
eggs without the hope of winning
And what are we but boys of larger
growth ?'


Psrtmonnaies were instantly in |
hand all around the table. Yielding |