Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1855-12-20
BAD COMPANY.
A Sketch FOR EounaPcopIe.
BIZ AUSTIN c. BURBANK.

1t IS an old saving that r man is known By
the con,nany he kecns.' and n saving more true
was never uttered. This means that the person
is judged bv such company, and such iudg-
ment must have n powerful weight against the
character and interests of any persons. A sim
pie life picture--one drawn from actual obser-
yation-will illustrate my meaning. %
In small country village lived wealthy
machiilist named Clark BY industry and Per
severance he had collected handsome property,
but lie still carried ON lbs business tie same as
before--saye that he did not new work at the
bench. having as mach other business as he
could attend 10. Among his worknien was q
youth named Nathan Wilder. Nathan was now
almost twenty-one years OF age. and had been
rusptuy z.eri YEAR,, nav
ing been bound to him as an apprentice He
was young man of more than ordinary intel-
gence, and was spected and owed by all who
know him. His direct qualities were al goed,
and his personal appearance was not mol V man
ly, hat eniucntly hanasome,tt - ss g-ss
Yet Nathan had one fault. He had contrac-
ted habit OF asSociatng with some of the reclz-
less, unprincipled youths OF the town. lie To-
we'd to go away in the evening ard meet them
at some stare or hail, and join with them in
laugh, story and tests; and his social nature
was of that ardent impulsise X ind which lead
one to Join in just such sport rs may chance O.
be started. Such Youth would never project
would be almost sure 10 iein them. Some OF
these youths were low and degraded in charac-
ter hutsyet managed to hold ON to a certain
degree of respectability. through the influence
of respectable connections. Young Wilder
knew that they were Jolly good fellows, be-
causeshe he'd heard others say so, and he looked
at nothing beyond this lie felt sure that moth
ing could induce him to do an evil deed, and
with this self assurancche was satisfied
Where now q yasked. DIR. Clark, as Nathan
was preparing to go out one evening. The
young man lived with hisfmaster, and had been
a member of the family during the whole term,
thus far, Of his apprenticeship. ss
'just going out to spend the evening with
a few fends replied Neihan. with slight
Anything particular going on pursued Mr.
CLARK. z5sl a.5i-as Il ss ss1raa1z gisss s.s
why, beliese some of the boys think of go-
ing over to the Villages, answered the youth,
with some hesitation. e.s a.aso v.aa ..a
E For what ~ l7taa saas tssE 81 d ssEs sss
'Well--there is a sort of party over there to
night $3.50 $3.50 ns. ss 5so7 ba~aa4ea. 81. sr
Where = - eatas7sstaz 2.c9-aa.
AT Billy Mac Wayne's.'saz S; e; p ya3seaa
/. sand did you think of going will, them2'
a.Nhy, answered Nathan, looking down upon
the tloor, 2 thought if the rest went, j should
go / didn't suppose You would forbid it, ~.
No, Nathan, should not forbid it, but
I =
that you would not CO. sE.aa at..a
But why a lot ot my friends are going,
and they are only going for little sport'
But do you know what kind of SPORT they
will have before they get back Now mark me,
Nathan do not wish 10 deprive you of any
real pleasure, but do wish to keep YOU from
Danger. You know tiIgscharacter of those who
are goirg, and you know that they will he very
sure TO commit some evil deeds before they get
back. ! heard some Of the bows an the black
smiths department talking about il this after
noon. The Peterkin boys will be there, and so
will the Hampton's and Lamby's. loa know
they will get rum at Mac Wayne's and that
they will disturb the peace So aas tsTa
But should not engage in any such thing
as that said Nathan, with much earnesrness.-
4 never take a part in their doings.'
You only go to see the sport eh y queried
Clark, with a significant smile. gs
! .Why-ycs--I s'pose sop
$50 | Thought. And now want YOU to un.
dersfand this fhing: "a man is known by the
company he keeps There is no mistake about
+ this Now you knew that most of the people
over in the back village are poor, though they
/ may be industrious and frugal. And YOU know
tco. that the boys in our village GO over ticre to
have their scrapeS, LecdaSe of the poverty~and
/ ignorance Of the people there. Hence the. very
starting point is not only wrong, but low = I'D
/ cruel. Only last week, poor johnny EastInari's
{ fence was torn down, and his barn doors carried
off, besides several otfe. tricks of the same
stamp. Perhaps YOU know of ;his.'
4 Nathan Wider hung down his head and blush.
ed, and q faint yes sir, escaped from his lips.
you were there, wernt your pursued Mr..
Clark
yes, sir, was; but j had nothing to do
with that-not thing
But Won stood by and laughed 20 see 1t tlcnes'
Il couldn't help laughing, sir
Il am sorry, Nathan, that You shotld have
thas helped the cyil-d;sp0sed uies in their work
You needn't look so wonderingly AZ me-, for !
mean Just What say. These wicked rakes ask
for 10 o,icr pleasure butso cause Poor people