A CHAPTER FOR BOYS 401 



a father has no right thus to mutiLate his own son, 

 though we must confess that the lad's chances for be- 

 coming a useful man are fully as good as they would 

 have been had he continued his course of sin. 



Disgusted with Life.— T. A. was a young man of 

 promise, the son of ambitious parents, proud-spirited, 

 and without respect for religion. Wliile still quite 

 young, he enlisted in the service of the Government, 

 and after a time rose to the position of an officer in 

 the U. S. army. Having in boyhood acquired the habit 

 of self-abuse, he had stimulated his passions without 

 restraint, and was readily led still farther astray by 

 the evil companions by whom he was surrounded. He 

 indulged his passions in every way and on every occa- 

 sion when he found opportunity, and speedily began to 

 feel the effects of his vices. Before he was fully aware 

 of his condition, he found himself being literally de- 

 voured by one of the vilest of all diseases. 



The malady made rapid advances, and speedily re- 

 duced him to a condition of almost absolute helpless- 

 ness. He was obliged to obtain a furlough; but his 

 vital forces were so nearly exhausted that he did not 

 rally, even under skilful treatment; and when his fur- 

 lough expired, he was still in the same pitiable condi- 

 tion. Getting it extended for a time, he by accident 

 came under our care, and by the aid of very thorough 

 treatment he was in a measure improved, though the 

 progress of the disease was simply stayed. When ap- 

 prised of his real condition, he exhibited much agita- 

 tion, walking nervously about his room, and finally 

 exclaimed that he was utterly disgusted with life any- 

 way, and after a few weeks or months more of suffer- 

 ing he should blow his brains out, and end his misery. 

 He had no fears of death, he said; and we presume 



