Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1852-06-25
DARE TO DO RIGHT.
BY MRS. ". II. BROWNE.

|
Take these papers into your desk, Granger
and let them all be copied before to-morro,
right said Secretary Il. to bright eyed rud
dy checked youth, who stood at his desk on,
Saturday evening in the act of putting it il
order, to leave, as usual, till Monday morning
} Business has got behind hand here, | find
J through the negligence of some of YOU clerks
he continued, looking round on some half dozei
young men, who were gathered about the doc
waiting to receive their weekly allowance
'and the matter must and shall be looked into
thought these documents were copied the,
are very important, and must be finished by
the time mentioned they belong to your de-
partment, Granger
So saying, he placed them on the desk of the
individual spoken to, and was turning away
when he met the young mans eye fixed on hln
in some surprise for the order was a very
unnatural one, and Granger, tho but an under
clerk in the office, was known to be one of the
most faithful and laborious of them ALL The
Sabbath had heretofore been his own, to devote
to those sacred duties which SO well bcft the
day in the estimation of every religious heart
Conscientious he was, too, about the employ
ment of time for worldly business on that day
and therefore, though the youngest in the Of
fee, he vcntured, modestly and respectfully, to
say, as the Secretary was walking away in a
very perplexed and dissatisfied manner:
Tomorrow is Sunday, sir perhaps
Il know that, sir sharply retorted that gen
tleman, turning abruptly round, and gazing
angrily at the youth. DO you suppose am
not able to keep the day of the week as well
as yourself, sir? Let this work be done with
out fail at the time have specified, and don't
spend any more time in inquiries or lemarks If
you please
! Il beg your pardon, SIR said Granger, his
face suffused with bushes as he spoke, and his
manner embarrassed and confused by the un-
common asperity and il! humol OF his master
4 beg your purden, sir, but really ! would
rather not write ON the Sabbath. | will stay
tonight, and
Very well, sir, very WE'LL interrupted the
Secretary, without waiting to hear the conclu-
sion of the sentence do Just us you like, by
all means, sir but If your conscience is 50
very scrupulous, somebody else must undertake
the service and henceiorth you must find eXet-
else for yours IN some more congCnal place
and occupation. You will consider your time
at your own disposal from this date
These bitter and hasty words stunp the
young clerk to the quick, for he was kccnly
sensitive to disgrace and censure, and he felt
i'll his heart that he deserved neither. But there
were his fellow laborers, listening and wonder
ing, and winking as the conversation proceed
ed, saying plainly enough, by every look, how
much they tho't he was standing in his own
light, aud expecting every moment to see him
yield from necessity or fear. as they were sure
1t was prudent to do.
And soreIy tempted was the Young man to
comply with the unreasonable requisitlon. .ius,
for once rather than lose his place bv rcsislnr
the Will Of his employers II place TO be sure
not very lucrative, but desirable, and desired
by many an eager applicant but he needed
the income, moderate as it was, for he was
poor, and his mOther-Oh. his mothers need
had well nigh resolved hun to do evil that rood
might come to her But better thought pre-
vailed, uro' the spontaneous operation Of those
principles which had been sown in his heart bv
that mothers care, watchtulness and wisdom.
The spirit of true manlinesS she had ever IN
fused into his young heart, and real herolsm-
that hcroism which dares to oppose itself to
evll-a heroisIn which thousands who stand
unmoved at the cannon's mouth cannot claim.
and dare not assume.
Yes, IN the hour Of temptation, though. as
far as he could see them, the Consequences
would be peculiarly disastrous to his interest,
tins Is genuine nanliness.
Not many young people, young lads like
hlm, would, IN his situation, think it plainly
their part to do the bidding Of their employer,
especially If there was any risk of their own
interest in refusing And others would reason
that, il older and wiser people thourht there
was no harm in doing little business on Sun.
day, particularly If 1t had vcrv much acrumu
lated during the week, why should they be
over scrupulous: They would not be respon
sblc for doing what they were oblired TO do.
Those who would thus satisfy themselves
have not The right sort OF principles have not
such AS will aid them to triumph over the he.
setting temptations of their period of life. Iu
short, they have not the COURAGE to be men
hey obey human master. Better, far better
1t Is, IN such situation, to suffer the wroDo
than to do 1t. 1t your master tell Won to take
money out Of neighbours drawer, YOU would
not feel bound to obey, you would scorn 10
obey hlm; and the same God who has said,
Thou shalt not steal says also, Remember
the Sabbath day to keep 1t holy
Young Granger waited but a moment. while
the color went and came in his boyish cheeks.
indicative OF painful conflict within, and ne
said, IN low and specttu tone, but very firm
and decided wi,hal
i cannot write on the Sabbath, sir. will
occupy all The hours that do not belong To th,t
day, between now and the time the office il
opened on Monday morning, and have the work
done IN the best manner and shortest time
can possibly do it. should be very sorry, sir,
to dlsoblge you, or to lose my place, but IN.
deed cannot write on the Sabbath day.
Very well, sir; then, as | sad Just now. YOU
and your conscience must seek Occuprtinn rI 40