PLAIN WORDS TO YOUNG MEN.

CHAPTER I.

YOUNG MEN ADRIFT.

A FEW years ago, seventeen young men, between the ages of nineteen and twentythree, banded together to have a good time. They determined on having a share in every pleasure, as pleasure is known to men generally, each participating in the enjoyments of all the rest. They would keep each other's secrets, and stand by in all difficulties. If one suffered, all should suffer with him.

With this compact they set out, promising themselves a long and jolly life. Soon they had taken the first round of all they could find, commonly called fun. Of course the card-table, the theatre, fast horses, the cup,

the night revelry, and the strange woman, all received a portion of attention, although moderate, as compared with after indulgence.

They met together to compare notes, and to see if anything new could be found. There were many misgivings and qualms of conscience. But they congratulated themselves that thus far, by feigning, tricking, and lying, they had deceived the dear ones at home; at least, they thought so. It is true, also, that some of them agreed they felt a little worse for their dissipations; some having pain in the head, some nausea, and some bad colds. But, "Pshaw! these were nothing; we are in for it now. Soon we will get accustomed to night exposure, the cup, late suppers. Soon we can run to fires, arrive exhausted, take into already heated lungs the hot air, keep up the temperature by ardent spirits, go home leisurely in wet clothes, all without taking cold or other injury. After awhile we can sit in the warm, piping restaurant until the damp, chill, short hours of the morning, then rush out and be

none the worse.' Therefore, hurrah for the second round, which, as is always the case, was a little longer and deeper than the preceding, containing some marks at the end which were not in the first.

One, in attempting to show himself off to a company of passing ladies, applied the whip to his already excited horse, was thrown, picked up insensible and with a broken jaw. Another, in striving to imitate upon the sidewalk how Madame E. . . . contorted herself at the Walnut Street Theatre, slipped and broke his arm.

True, they acknowledged that these were more than bargained for; "but they were only what might happen to any one," especially if a little excited from strong drink. So away for their third round, of course, still a little more degraded, expensive, and longer, although entirely unrealized by the participants.

Out of this spree some of them came a little pale; others feel a little badly; one coughs some and is hoarse; dear mother has to doctor and nurse him a few days. But,

then, "O it is nothing-soon over it. Up, lads, for another good one."

This time they somehow drank in a second or third-rate saloon, instead of the fashionable, heretofore visited. In this round three of them got into very serious difficulty, which looked prisonward. But the rest lie and swear them from the arms of justice; over which they chuckle well, congratulating themselves on being so sharp and such nice young men.

Also, at the end of this frolic two of them lost their clerkships; and business began to look doubtful with two more; and, alas! one is burned with that disease which is crime. "No difference," they still proclaim, "we are not to be cheated out of our fun."

I cannot give the details of the history of these young men. Gradually, as in all such cases, they sank lower and lower; some of them becoming so fond of the cup, that in broad daylight they would go by themselves and take a glass; which, of course, was indication of real fondness; for then it is no longer a social glass. But still, when remonstrated