Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1844-07-25

cd of Locke and Milton two hundred years ago.
And here ends the first Lesson. / have overtasked
my neophyte.
From tie CAanbeyJ JosvnGl.
THE GENEROUS HOST.
THE FIRST OFFENCE.
In the cheerful dining Of my bachelor friend
Stevenson, a select party were assembled to cele~
brate his birthday. A very animated discussion
had been carried for some time to whether the
first deviation from integrity should be treated
with severity or lenity. Various were the opinions
and numerous the arguments brought forward to
support them. The majority appeared to lean to-
the side of Crush all offences in the bud, when
warm hearted old gentleman exclaimed, Depend
upon it, more young people are lostto society from
first offence being treated with injudcious sever
ity. than from the contrary extreme. Not that
would pass over even the slightest deviation from
integrity either in word or deed that would GER
tainly be mistaken kindness, but on the other hand
neither would punish with severity an offence
committed perhaps under the influence Of tempta-
tion-temptation too, that wesourselves may have
thoughtlessly placed in the way in such manner
as to render it irresistible. For instance, lady
hires servant, the girl has hitherto borne good
character but il is her first place, her honesty has
never yet been put to the test. Her mistress, with
out thinking of the continual temptation to-
which she is exposing fellow creature; 10 in the
coppers lying about in her usual sitting room. AT
ter time she begins to think that these sums are
not always found exactly 40 che left them. Suspi-
cion falls upon the girl, whose duty it is to clean
the room every morning. Her mistress, however
thinks she will be quite convinced before she brings
forward her accusation. She counts the money
carefully at night, and the next morning some is
missing. No one has been in the room but the
girl, her guilt is evident Well, what does her
mistress do? Why she turns the girl out Of her
house ut an hours notice; cannot In conscience
give her achaEacter. tells nl her frends how dread
she i: dsclares that nothing but in
gratitude to be met with among servants, laments
over the deprayity Of human nature. and never
dreams Of blaming herself for her--wicked- it
is Observation-Disclosures in thus continually ex-
posing to temptation young ignorant girl, one
most likely whose mind if not enyeloped in total
darkness. has only an imperfect twilight knowledge
whereby to distinguish right from wrong. At whose
door, ask continued he growing warmer, will
the sin lie, if the girl sinks into the lowest depth Of
vice and mlseryl Why, at the door of her who,
after placing temptation in her very path, turned
her into the pitess world. deprived Of that which
constitutes her only means Of obtaining an honest
livelihood--her character. and that without one
opportunity Of retrieving the past, and regaining
BY future good conduct the confidence Of her en-
ployer'
remarked the benevolent host, who had hitherto
taken no part in the conversation, and it reminds
me of circumstance that occurred in the earlier
part of my lfe which az it may serve to illustrate
the subject you have been discussing, will relate.
There was general movement Of attention, for 1t
was well known fact, that no manufacturer in
the town of --- was surrounded with 90 many
old and faithful servants a. our friend Stevenson
In the onset of my business career said he,
took into my employment young man to fll the
asfs If and IN
had laid down whenever stranger entered my
service, his duties were of nature to involve 40
little responsibility possible, until sufficient time
had been given to form correct estimate Of his
character. This young man whom shall call
Smith, was Of arespectable family. He had lost
his father and had mother and sisters in some
measure dependent upon him. After he had been
q short time in my employ, II happened that my
confidential clerk, whose duty II was to receive
the money from the bank for the payment Of wages,
being prevented by an unforeseen circumstance from
attending at the proper time sent the sum required
by Smith. My confidence was 90 great in my head
clerk, who had been long known to me, that
was not in the habit Of regularly countngth the mon
ey when brought to me, but a. on this occasion it
had passed through, otter hands, thought It right
to do 30. Therefore calling Smith back as he was
leaving my counting-ho ] desired him tc wait
few minutes and proceeded to ascertain whether
il was quite correct. Great was my surprise and
sAos ssASeS 49,
cheney.
From whom said /, did you receive this mon
eyf
idential clerk.
I II is strange said looking steadily ct him--
But this money 10 incorrect. and It 70 the fiFsf
time have found it So He changed countenance.
and his eve fell before mine, but he answered with
tolerable composure, that IL was a. he received
it,
1T il in vain,' replied, to attempt to impose
upou me- or endeavor to cast suspicions on any ono
whose character for the strctest honesty and unds
WAITING integrity 10 90 well established. Now am
perfectly convinced that you have taken this mon-
ey and that il 10 at this moment i1your possession;
and think that the evidence against you would DO
thought sufficient to Justify me In Immediately dis
missing you from my service. But you are . very
vouD9 man. your conduct has, ] believe. been
hitherto perfectly correct, and am willing 10 ai-
ford an opportunity Of redesming the past. All
knoyvledge Of this matter rests between ourselves
Candidly confess therefore. the error Of which you
have been guilty, restore what you have go dshon-
esily taken. endeavor BY ysur future coed conduct
10 deserve my confidence and respect, and this cir.
cums.ance shall never tFanspiFe 10 injuFey you The
poor fellow ives deeply snected. In Voice allaoss
inarticulnfs with emotion be Acknowledged vs.
guilt and said that having frequently seen no ~
ceiVe the money without counting 4. on beng M
TRUSTED with Il himssf the idea had flashed across
his mind that he might easily abstract some with
or1l incuYyinR suspicion, OF at oil events wiihent
fhare heina sucient evidence n Justify 4. that be-
we In distrss. ire temptation had proved Stronger
- = r - ..,~a~s.s.n h. had v;alfl6fl n