398 PLAIN FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG 



moody and obtuse. He could not complete his tasks, 

 even by the most severe application. It seemed impos- 

 sible for him to apply himself. The power of concen- 

 tration appeared to be lost. Soon he was seized with 

 fits of gloominess from which he did not seem to have 

 power to free himself. His strength began to fail to 

 such a degree that he could hardly drag himself to his 

 meals, and at last he was almost confined to his room. 

 He became greatly emaciated. The failure of his 

 mental powers seemed to keep pace with the wasting 

 of his body, so that it was soon evident that he must 

 abandon all hope of pursuing his studies, for some 

 time at least. 



His case being brought to our notice, we gave him 

 every attention possible, and spared no effort to rescue 

 him from his condition. We readily perceived the 

 cause of his troubles, but for a long time he did not 

 acknowledge the truth. At last he confessed that he 

 had sinned for years in the manner suspected, and was 

 suffering the consequences. A knowledge of his guilt 

 weighed upon him, and haunted him day and night. 

 He promised to reform ; but if he did, it was too late, 

 for the wasting disease which had fastened upon him 

 continued. At his mother's request he returned to his 

 home, and a few weeks later we received the awful in- 

 telligence that he had ended his miserable life by blow- 

 ing out his brains with a pistol. Thus tragically ended 

 the career of this young man who, with the advantages 

 afforded him, might have become a useful member of 

 society. In total despair of this life or the next, he 

 rashly ended his probation, and with his own hand 

 finished the work of destruction which he himself had 

 begun. No words can tell the grief of his stricken 

 mother; but fortunately, she was spared the knowl- 



