Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-06-29
Miscellaneous
The First Offence.

In the cheerful dining-room Of my bachelor
friend Stevenson, a select party was assem-
bled to celebrate his birthday. A very
animated discussion had been carried on for
some lime, as to whether the first deviation
from integrity should be treated with severi.
ty OF leniency. Various were the opinions,
and numerous the Arguments which were
brought forward to support them. The ma.
jority appeared 10 lean to the side of 'crush
all offences in the bud when a warm-heart-
ed old gentleman exclaimed, depend upon
it, more young people are lost 10 society from
a first offence being treated with injudicious
severity, than from the CONTRARY extreme
Not that | would pass over even the slight
est deviation from integrity, either in word or
deed that would certainly be mistake n
kindness; but, on the other hand neither
would | punish with severity an offence COM
mitted perhaps, under the influence oil temp
tatiou-tempiatiOn, too, that we ourselves
may have thoughtlessly placed in the way,
in such a manner as 10 render it irresistible.
For instance, a lady hires a servant; the girl
has hitherto borne a good character, but it Is
her first place; her honesty has never yet
been put TO the test. Her mistress, without
thinking of the continual temptation to
which she is exposing a fellow creature, is
in the habit Of leaving small sums Of mon.
Us SN"J NSflN'1 JihS wv NV SNh
silting-room. After a time she begins TO
think that these sums are not always found
exactly as she left them. Suspicion falls up
on the girl, whose duty it is to clear 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 7
Why, she turns the girl out of her house at
an hours notice tells all her friends how
dread(uliy distressed she is; declares there
is nothing but ingratitude to be met with
among servants; laments over the depravity
of human nature and never dreams Of bla-
ming herself for her wicked-yes, it is wick
ed-thoughtlesness in thus constantly expos
ing to temptation a young, ignorant girl (;
one most likely, whose mind. if not devel-
oped 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 that girl sink into the lowest depth of
sin and miseryl Why, at the door of her
who, after placing temptation in her very
path, turned her into the pitiless world, de-
prIVed her OF that which constituted her only
means OF obtaining an honest livelihood
her character and that without one effort to
reclaim without affording a single opportu-
nifty 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 hitherto taken no part in the converse
ton land it reminds me of a circumstance
that occurred in the earlier part of my life,
which, as it may serve to illustrate the sub
ject you have been discussing, | will relate,
There was a general movement of attention ;
for it was a well known fact, that no manu-
f%acturer in the town of--was surrounded
with so many old and faithful servants as our
friend Stevenson.
In the outset of my business career said
he, Il took into my employment a young
man 10 ell the situation of under clerk and,
according 10 a rule | had laid down when
ever a stranger entered my service, his duties
were ola nature to involve as little response
bility as possible, until sufficient time had
been given 10 form a correct estimate of his
character. This young man, whom | shall
call Smith, was of a respectable family
He had lost his father, and had a mother and
sister in some measure dependent upon him.
After he had been a short time ir my employ
ment, it happened that my confidential clerk,
whose duty it 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
so great in my head clerk, who had been lon:
known to me, that | was not in the habit o.
&; regularly counting the money when brough
to me; but as on this occasion, i, had pas
sed through other hands, | thought it RICH
to do so. Therefore calling Smith back a!
ha yuac Iaayipu ,,u oonn,ipr bo,oo Jo.iv
ed him TO wait a few moments and proceed
N, ed TO ascertain whether it was quite correct
Great was my surprise and concern on find
ing that there was a considerable deficiency
From whom said ], did you receiv
this money!
nl He replied, From Mr.. - namin
my confidential clerk
1t is strange said | looking steady
, him, 'but this money is incorrect, and it
the first time | have found it so.' He char
ged countenance, and his eye fell beiol
!. mine; but he answered with tole rable con
nj posure that 1t was as he had received it,
en-, 1T is in vain,' | replied, TO attempt to in
pose upon me, or endeavor TO cast suspicio
on one whose character for the ~strictest hol
esty and undertaking integrity is so well e
tablished. Now, am perfectly convince
that you have taken this money, and that
is at this moment in your possession; and
think the evidence against you would /
thought sufficient to justify me in immediat
=. ly dismissing you from my service. b.
you are a very young man; your conduct ha
| believe, been hitherto perfectly correct, an
| am willing 10 afford you an opportunity
redeeminE The past. All knowledge of tn
matter rests between ourselves. Candid
confess, therefore, the error of which yc
have been guilty restore that which yC
I'd, have so dishonesty taken; endeavor, b
your future conduct, to deserve my confident
and respect, and this circumstance shall ne
er %transPiIe 10 inlure YOU The poor fello
was deeDlv affected. In a whoa almost l.