Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-10-27
The First Offence.

assembled 70 celebrate his birth day. a
very animated discissipu had been c~fied
on Tor some FtiIne, rs 10 whether the first
deriuiion from integrity should be irrniel
with severity or leniency. Narfpus the
opinions, aud numerous the Arguments
brought forward TO support them. The
majority appeared to lean 10 the side Of
crush all Offences IN The bud" when a
warm hearted old gentleman exchanged,
depend upon il more young people are
lost TO society from first offence being
treated with iujudicions severity, than from
the contrary extreme. Not that would
pass over the slightest deviation 4 ON integ-
rily, either IN word or deed; but, on tie
other hand, neither would | punish with
severity auy offence committed, perhaps,
under the influence Of ienpia,ion--iempi-
alton, too, that we ourselves may have
lhongh,lessly placed in the way, IN such q
manner as TO render il irresistible. For
instance, n lady hi-cs a servant; The girl
has hitherto borne good charac,cr, but
Il is her first place; her honesty has never
yet been put 10 the test. Her mistress
without thinking oil the continual iempta-
ton TO which she is exposing fellow crca-
iure, is 10 the habit Of leaving small sums
Of money. generally coppcrs, lying about
in her usual sitting room. Alter time,
she begins I'd think that the sums arc not
found exactly as she left them. Suspicion
falls upon the girl; whose duty it's to clean
the room every morning. Her mistress.
however, thinks she will DO quite convinced
before she brings forward her accusation,
She counts the money carefully at night,
aud the next morning some is missing
No one has been in the room but the girl
her gull, is evident Well, what does the
mistress dol Why. she turns the girl
out Of her house at an hours notice eau
not, in conscience, give her a character
tells all her friends how dreadfully distress.
ed she is; declares there is nothing bu, in.
gratitude TO be met with among servants
lnments over the depravity of human ma
iure and never dreams OF blaming herself
for her wicked-yes, it is wicked-ihonght-
lessness in thus constantly exposing "a
temptation a 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
will the sin lie. IL that girl sinks into the
lowest depths Of vice aud miseryl Why
al the door OF her VIM after placing iempt-
alton in her very path, turned her into the
pitiless world, deprived Of that which con
siiluied her only means Of obtaining on
honest lIyelihood-her character; and thai
without one effort TO reclaim her-wiihou
aftording single opportunity OF retrieving
the past. aud regainin1 10 future good con
duct the confidence of lhcr employer" ~
"There is, fear, loo much truth il
what you say" remarked our venerabl,
host, who had hitherto taken no part il
the conversation "snd il reminds me Of /
circumstance that occurred in the esrliei
part of my life, which, us il may serve Il
illustrate the subject you have been discuss
ing will relate"
There was general movement OF aiten
ton for il was well known fact thai nc
manufacturer in the town Of --- wa
surrounded by so many old and faithful ser
wants as our friend Stevenson.
''ln the outset Of my business career,
said he, 81 took into my employment
young man to ill the station of nnde
clerk and, according to rule laid down
whenever a stranger entered my service
his duties were OF nalure-io involve a
little responsibility as possible. until suiii
cient time had been given TO form an esll
mate Of his character. This young man
whom shall call Smith, was OF respecia
BILE family He had lost his father, an
had mother and sisters in some measur
dependent upon him. Afer he had bee
short time in my employment, it happen
ed that my confidential clerk whose duty
was TO receive the money from the ban
for the payment Of wages, being preyenic
by an unforeseen circumstance from attend
ing at the proper time, sent the sum requil
ed by Smith. My confidence was so grea
in my head clerk, who had been Ion
known 10 me, that | was not ia the hab
Of regularly counting the money whe
brought TO me; but, as on this occasion.
had passed through other hands, though
il right TO do so. Therefore calling Smii
back as he was leaving my counting houst
desired him TO wait few minutes, an
proceeded 10 ascertain whether il was quiz
correct. Great was my surprise and col
Germ on finding there was a CONSIDERABLE
deficiency. sHla ll so'
From whom" said ], 'did you rece'
this money!
He replied. from Mr. M" namin
| my confidential clerk,
"li is strange" said I looking sieadil
at him. "But this money is incorrect, an
il is the first time ! have found Il So" II
/ changed countenance. and his eyes fell h