The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-08-19
Miscellaneous,
The Generous Host.
From the Chambers Journal.
THE FIRST FENC

THE FIRST OFFENC E.
Ia ,be cheerful dning-room Of my bachelor friend
c,,vonson select party were assembled to celebrate
II, urlhday. A very animated discussion had been
carried on for some time, as to whether the first de-
,,ou from integrity should be treated with severity
,,l.aty. Various were the opinions and numerous
h, arguments brought forward 10 support them. The
r,oily appeared TO lean to the side of "crush all
Alliances in the bud," when a warm hearted old gen.
,empn exclaimed, "Depend upon it, more young
DeOple are lost to society from first offence being
treated with njudicious severity, than from the con-
,nr extreme. Not that would pass over even the
slightest deviation from integrity, either in word or
leed that would certainly be mistaken kindness ;but
Do the other hand neither would PUNISH with great
severity an offence committed, perhaps under the in
aaence Of ptaon-tempaton too, that we our
,,ve may have thoughtlessly placed in such
manner as to render il irresistible. For instance,
sdy hires servant; the girl has hitherto borne n
good character, but il is her first place; her honesty
hos never vet been put 10 the test. Her mistress,
without thinking of the continual temptation to which
Tb.tapO'ing feIIow-creature, is in the habit Of
aaITTaI sums of money, generally copper lying
,5og, hg rsaral sitling-room After time she
begin, 10 hnk that these sums nre not always found
exactly as she eft them. Suspicion falls upon the
gill; whose duty it is to clean the room every morn
i! Iler 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
loom but the girl; her guilt is evident. Well, what
DOE, her mistress do Why, she turns the girl out
other house at an hours notice; cannot in consci-
Hce give her character; tells all her friends how
id1ly distressed she IL; declares there is nothing
but hgstiudc to be met with among servants; la
EEs over the depravity Of human nature;and never
tvi Of blaming herself for her-wcked- yes, it
observation-disclosures in thus continually expo
@g@Nnptaton young ignorant girl; ono most
Sey whose uiad if not enveoped in total darkness,
ms only an iwveycect twilight knowledge whereby to
distinguish right from wong. At whose door, ask"
ontnu"d DO, sso"ang wartnor, 'f"ill the Sin lie, r
that gil sink INTO the lowest depth of vice and mis-
cry; Why, at the door of her, who, after placing
s world deprived Of that which constitutes her on
Gucus Of obtaining an honest livehood-he char
aNu;Ma that without one effort to reclaim her
Without aiordng single opportunity for retrieving
@Ti'i, and regaining by future good conduct the
confidence Of her employer"
There Is lTear,too much truth in what you saw"
remarked the benevolent host who had hitherto taken
no part IN the conversations; "and it reminds me of a
circumstance that occurred in the earlier part of my
"e' which as it may serve to illustrate the subject
you nave been dlsGussng,I will relate" There was
general movement Of attention for it was a well
SoO"n cl'lhnl no manufacturer in the town of -
W" surrounded with so many old s. faithful servants
"'nr friend Stephenson.
IN the onset ofmy business career" said he, "I
'''' a'o my employment young man TO fill the sit
''uOn OF under clerk; and according to rule | had
90" uo"h whenever stranger entered my service,
n u0es were ola nature to involve as little respon-
'0'y possible, until sufficient time had been piy
:" form correct estimate of his character. This
'Vu"s man whom shall call Smith, was of respec-
"Oe am'y' lie had lost his father and had moth
=, SISTERS IN some measure dependant upon him.
''e nc mad been short time in my employ, it hap
''1 wat my confidential clerk, whose duty it was
=, '''"e 'Oe money from the bank for the payment
. "'S.'' oe'ng prevented by an unforeseen circum-
'"O0' attending at the proper time, sent the sum
I,"eu Oy smith, My confidence was SO great in
t.! "eaO Clerk who had been long known to me and |
I "0' IN The habit of regularly counting the mon
Nd '"'" brought TO me; but as, on this occasion, il
!, p'''e" through other hands, thought it right to
49,, therefore calling Smith back "a he was
m '"y oouolng house, I desired him to wait
minutes and proceeded to ascertain whether it
oD,o, a,,' correct Great was my surprise and
ieacy w ''''' was u 'onS'deraoe qeh-
honey !" '' W" 'ece"e 'h'S
:, "eFePIed' From Mr. NAMING INV oon-
dental clerk. naming my con-
,B0, Il, strange" said looking steadily at him.
avs "Oney is incorrect, and il is the first time
/, evo c., -" So lie changed countenance, and
He co,.. '''ore NINE; but he answered, with toler-
un, p''"re' THAT it was as he received it,,
poo ~ ~ =" Van," replied, ''to attempt to impose
hanc,., = 'uueaVor to cast suspicion on one whose
p,r,,v w Inc s'rictest honesty and undertaking
yco,n;- ~ We'll established. How nm perrect-
lis hi, m" wat you have taken this money and that
be e,is.S moment in your possession; and I think
jp,dry ~. against you would be thought sufficient
srce ~. :" immediately dismssng you from my