"There is hardly a channel of sin and guilt that has not been explored
by these young persons, who should not even know of the existence of
such dangers. So much fine manhood is wasted in folly and dissipation;
so many noble energies devoted to degrading causes, so much mental
greatness given to solving the mysteries of villainy and roguery. Oh!
it is written on the brow of modern youth, in flaming characters," she
exclaimed, closing her fingers tightly over the edges of the dish,
upon which her hands still rested. "When I pass along the busy streets
of the town, I see the wickedness of the world on many a fair young
face, and my heart swells with a great desire to know whose life is
being saddened by their extravagances. 'They are dear to someone,
surely,' I say to myself, 'there must be some one from whom they are
trying to hide their deeds of darkness,' and I could almost stop to
plead in favor of that lingering love, that they turn back from the
beck and call of temptation to that other wholesome course which
yields reward both here and hereafter. I cannot help this strong
sentiment that stirs within my breast. I love the beauty of blooming
human nature; I like to see the glow of physical and moral health upon
its beaming countenance, and the stimulus to noble purposes in its
restless heart, but it seems as if this never can be again with the
majority."
"It is a sad outlook, Cousin Bessie, but there must be a remedy
somewhere," I suggested, full of the enthusiasm which had
characterized her remarks.
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