Year: 1859

Many years ago, there came to live in
small inland town in Mississippi beauti-
ful, sprighly, interesting boy just entering
his thirteenth year. So young to start out
to seek his fortune; yet he was forced


through orphanage and poverty to make


early exertions for livelihood. With a
bright intellectual face, a finely formed


head, and manners gentle and winning, he
seemed defined to make man of charac-
ter and talent. He obtained situation as
salesman in dry-good store, and by bis
energy and assiduity gave ample satisfac-
ton TO his employer. Indeed. he was old
and thoughtful bcyo:d his years, and all
felt an interest III the beautiful, promising
boy. His sleeping room was in the store,
and during The long winter nights frequent


y being lonely, he would wander in the
streets in quest OF company, and seeing
lights where he could enter without cere-
mony, he was attracted thither like the poor
unconscious moth TO his own destruction.
These were places where men assembled
10 gamble and drink, and misery and ruin
followed the footsteps of the uGsusp=eting
youth who were led into their hellish snares


Man is made of good and evil. and in youth
the mind is Just ready 10 receive the most
forcible impressions. Had these assemblies
been for useful or benevolent purposes,
then would not come the mourntul sequel


The yonlh who starts out in life without
proper guidance, is like vessel setting out
on voyage without pilot; the storm
rarps. she lcses her course. but where is the
superior man. the skilllul officer? For
want of care, destruction is inevitable--ihe
noble ship is wrecked. In short time he
was led into their habits, and lost his little


income with grayhaired men, and some in
common parlance gentlemen. He soon be-
came an adept in cards and the usual ac-
compartment, drinking, and began to con-
slider it but little harm, as men whom he
considered gentlemen were addicted to such
habits. So natural is it 10 yield to the hab.
its of those with whom we associate, and
after once yielding, We begin to regard the
act "a less enormous. This truth will force
! itself upon us, since there are so many who
contract pernicious habits who have not the
| inclination OF firmness to discard them
! Infatuated youth he passed the Rubicon
thinking yond we're riches; at any rate,
] h. determined to realize his ardent desires
| for money, or end il utter or irreparabli


ruin. Poor b Y m my rush heallong into


vice. but few end their career so .oon; he


died from his excessive habits before he ar


rived at the stage of manhood. His kind
sister who had guided him in his tenderest
wears. was ignorant of the HABITS he was
so rapidly acquiring. She lived remotely
| from him, and confiding in his good sense


and energy of character so early developed,


she consented for him TO learn some buSi-
ness, never thinking of the mi1night snare


the poor child was led into. But he told


the story melancholy enough, but it was too
late. he could not retrace his steps, but
must be the victim TO his dissipated habits.


A life began in beauty and brightness TO
end so soon in darkness and despair. Who
should bear the sin OF the melancholy end
of that once interesting boy, who. just on
the threshold OF manhood, was doomed to
the grave of an ineb late ? Beware, man,


how thou leadest astray the young and in


nocent. Go on in the evil it it pleases


thee, with those of thine own age who are


calIous of every fine feeling. but seek not


70 entrap confiding youth. Such evil deeds
are reserved for the darkness of night.
They could not face Gods glorious day, but
/ like she thief and incendiary, "they love


darkness because their deeds are evil"
4 Gambling is the worst species OF ayarice.
sires !, desire. 10 cttaip whs; others Pc1