Sound the Alarm | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 14, 1871

Sound the Alarm.

THE SAN FRANCISCO Bulletin of Jan. 23 says: “Missing—a dashing young man, recently resident here. He occupied a high social position for one of his years, and apparently enjoyed the confidence of a large circle of acquaintances. He was not in any sense a waif. His home, abounding in gentle, womanly influence, intelligence, and refinement, could hardly be otherwise than pleasant. Of relatives and friends he had a sufficiency.

The young man held the position of salesman in a wholesale stationery house, and received reasonable compensation for his service. His expenses were not, necessarily, greater than those of his companions. He had no person other than himself to support. His earnings, under ordinary circumstances, should have sufficed to pay his expenses; even more, a moderate bank account might have been opened.

The salesman had long been in the stationery firm, and was esteemed and respected by the partners. His character for honesty and industry was above suspicion. But the serpent of San Francisco, fashion, won him over to her side. He entered the ranks and became one of fashion’s legion. The particular station to which he was assigned, has not transpired. Whether he disposed of money at the gaming table, in the haunts of fallen women, or at the stock market, we are not prepared to state. If he did dispose funds in either of the modes described, he simply followed the example set by men of wealth and influence in the community.

If he spent his earnings upon fast teams, and dashed along the Cliff Road House Sabbath after Sabbath, his case is not without precedent. We do not know that the young man indulged in any of the “stylish pastimes” enumerated above, though damaging rumors are afloat; and allowing that reports are true, precedents are not admissible excuse for criminal action. But it is true that the young man has disappeared. The haunts that knew him once, know him no more. He has betrayed the confidence of friends and employers to the tune of several thousand dollars. There are no mitigating circumstances in the case. He has deceived parties for whom he claimed to have the greatest friendship. The peculations at his place of business constitute a mere moiety of the whole amount supposed to have been invested in fashionable amusements. His friends find themselves out of pocket in sums ranging from $50 to $500. No criminal action will be brought against the unfortunate fellow. The victimized parties have hopes that he will yet come back, and in some manner explain his conduct.

“It is high time the alarm was sounded in this community. The city is drifting toward a vortex of crime; and parties who should aid in shaping her course properly are away from their stations. Curtail the fashionable vices, and confidence transactions, of the nature alluded to in this article, will decrease.”