Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-08-02
MISCELLANEOUS.


In the cheerful dining room of my bachelor
friend Stevenson, select party was assembled to
celebrate his birthday. A very animated discus
sion had been carried on for some time, as to
whether the first deviation from integrity should be
treated with severity or leniency. Various were
the opinions, and numerous the arguments bro'tI
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 lost to
society from first offence being treated with nu-
dicious severity, than from the contrary extreme.
Not that would pass over the slightest deviation
from integrity, either in word or deed; that would
certainly be mistaken kindness; but on the other
hand, neither would push with severity an Of
fence committed. perhaps, under the influence of
emptation-tempaton too, that we ourselves
may have thoughlIessly placed in the way, in such
manner as to render Irresistible For instance,
a lady hires a servant; the girl has hitherto borne
good character, but it is her first place; her hon
esty has never yet been put to the test Her mis-
tress, without thinking ofthe continual temptation
to which she is exposing a fellow creature, is in
the habit Of leaving small sums of money, gencr-
ally copper, lying about in her sitting ROOM At
ter time, she begins to think that these sums are
not always found exactly as she left them. Suspi-
cons fall 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 at an hours notice; cannot, in
conscience, give her character; tells all her
friends how dreadfully distressed she is; declares
there is nothing but ingrattude to be met with
among servants; laments over the depravity of hu-
man nature; and never dreams of blaming herself
for her Wicked-yes, it is wicked-thou ghtfulnesS
in thus constantly exposing to tempatation young
ignorant girl one most likely whose mind, if not
enveloped in total darkness, has only an imperfect
twilight knowledge whereby to distinguish right
from wrong. At whose door, | ask continued he
growing warmer 'Wl the sin lie if that girl sink
into the lowest depths ofvice and misery? Why
at the door of her who after placing temptation
in her very path, turned her into the pttilesS world
deprived of that which constituted her only means
of obtaining an honest liyelihood-her character;
and that without one effort to reclaim her;-With-
out affording single opportunity of retrieving the
past, and regaining by future good conduct the
confidence of her employer
There is, fear, too much truth in what you
say remarked our benevolent host, who had hith-
erlo taken no part i'll the conversations; and it re-
minds me of circumstance that occurred in the
earlier part of my life, which, as it may serve to
illustrate the subject you have been discussing,
will relate There was general movement OF
attention.; for it was well known fact, that nc
manufactures in the town Of was surrounded
with so many old s. faithful servants as our frienc
Stevenson.
sIn the outset of my business career said he, q
took into my employment young man to fill the
situation of under clerk; and, according to rule
had laid down, whenever stranger entered my
service his duties were of Il nature to involve a,
little responsibility as possible, until sufficient time
had been given to form correct estimate Of hIs
character. This young man, whom | shall cal
Smith, was of respectable family He had lost hi
father, aud had mother and sisters in some mea
sure dependant on him. After he had been in IN,
employment short time, it happened that my con
fdentaI clerk, whose duty it was to receive tn
money from the bank for the payment of wages
being prevented by unforeseen circumsanc
from attending at the proper time, sent the sun
required by Smith My confidence was so grea
in my head clerk, who had been long known to me
that was not in the habit of regularly countin
the money when brought to me; but as, on thi
occasion, it had passed through other hands, tho
it was light to do So Therefore calling Smith bac
as hesAYas leaving my counting house, | desire
him ito wait afew minutes, and proceeded to as
ertainewhether this was quite correct. Great wa
my surprise and concern on finding that there wa
aconsidefabIe deficiency.
From whom, said /, did you receive this me
ney?'t 4 -
He replied, 'from Mr. - naming my conf
DENTAL clerk.
1T is strange said l, looking steadily at him.
sBut this money is incorrect and it is the first tim
have found it so.' lie changed countenance, an
his eye fell before mine; but he answered with cor