Mississippi advertiser. [volume] (Aberdeen) 1842-1848, 1845-02-15
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THE OFFENCE,

THE FIRST OFFENCE.
In the cheerful dining.room of my bachelor
friend Stevenson, select party were assem-
bled to celebrate his birthday A very ami
mated discussion 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 brought forward 10
support them. The majority appeared TO
lean to the side Of "crush all offences in the
bud" when a warm-hearted old gentleman
exclaimed, depend upon it,, more young
people are lost to society from first offence
being treated with injudicious severity, than
from the contrary extreme. Not that would
pass over even the slightest deviation from
integrity, either in word or deed that would
be certainly mistaken kindness; but on the
other hand neither would punish with sever
ity an offence committed, perhaps, under the
influence of pation, too, that
we ourselves may have thoughtlessly placed
in the way, in such manner as TO render 1t
irresistible. For instance lady hires SER
want, the girl has hitherto borne good char
acter but it is her first place; her honesty has
never vet been put 10 the test Her mistress,
without thinking of the continual temptation
to which she is exposing fellow creature, is
in the habit of leaving small sums of money,
generally copper, lying about in her usual
sitting room. After time, SIZE begins to
think that these sums are not always found
exactly as she left them. Suspicion falls up
on the girl, whose duty is TO clean the room
every morning. Herlnistress, however, thinks
she will be quite convinced before she brings
forward her accusation. She counts the mo-
ney 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 dot Why she turns
The girl out of the house at an hours notice;
cannot, in conscience, give her character;
tells all her friends how dreadfuliy distressed
She declares that there is nothing but in
gratitude TO be met with among servants;
lamenls over the depraviiy Of human nature;
and never dreams Of blaming herself for her
wicked-yeS, it is wicked-though llessness
in thus constantly exposing TO temptation a
young ignorant girl; one, most likely, whose
mind if not enveloped in total darkness, has
only an imperfect twilight knowledge where
BY 10 distinguish right from wrong. AT whose
door, ask" he continued, growing warmer,
"will the sin lie, if that girl sink into the low
est depths of vice and miseryl Why, at the
the door her who, after placing temptation
in her very path turned her into the pitiless
world deprived nf that which constituted her
only means Of obtaining an honest livelihood
her character; and that without one effort TO
reclaim her-without aaording single OPP
portunity ofretrievins the past, and regaining
by future good conduct the confidence of her
employer"
"There is, I fear too much truth in what
YOU say" remarked our benevolent host, who
had hitherto taken no part in the conversa-
ton; "and it reminds me Of a circumstance
that occurred in the earlier part of my life
which, as it may serve to illustrate the sub
ect You have been discussing, will relate. y
There was general movement of attention
for it was well known fact that no manu-
facturer in the town of-- was sur
rounded with so many old and faithful ser
wants as our friend Stevenson.
"In the outset my business career" sait
he, 81 took into my employment young mar
to fill the situation of under clerk and accor
ding TO rule had laid down, whenever ;
stranger ent.red my service, his duties wer'
of nature to involve as little responsibility,
as possible, until sufficient time had beef
given to form a correct estimate of his char
acter. This young man, whom shall cal
Smith, was of a respectable family. He ha'
lost his father; and had a mother and sister
in some measure dependent upon him. Ate
he had been short time in my employment
it happened that my confidential clerk, who's
duty it was to receive the money from tn
bank for the payment OF wages, being pre-
vented by an unforeseen circumstance Iron
attending at the proper time, sent the sum re
quired, by Smith. My confidence was s
great in my head clerk, who had been Ion
known to me, that / was not in the habit
regularly counting the money when brougt
TO me: but as, on this occasion, it had passe
through other hands, thought il right to
SO. Therefore, calling Smith back as he wa
leaving my countng-house, desired him
wait few minutes, and proceeded to ascel
tain whether it was quite correct Great wa
my surprise and concern on finding that ther
was considerable deficiency.
From whom said l, did you receive th
money!
"He replied From Mr., naming m
confidential clerk.
lit is strange said l, looking steadily
him. 'But this money is incorrect and II
the first time that have found it so' Il
changed countenance, and his eye fell beio
mine; but he answered with tolerable comp
sure that it was as he had received it,
sit is in vain replied, to attempt 10 II
pose on me, or to endeavor to cast auspiclt
on one whose character for the strit'lest no
esty and undertaking integrity is so well
tabished. Now, am perfectly convinc
that you have taken this money and 'Ra'