Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-08-13
Gbe Social Circle.
Written for the Green Mountain Freeman.
Bad Company
BY WILBUR FISK.

Young men are almost entirely unconscious
of the danger they encounter by assocating
with evil companions, or they blindy mag
inc that they can so conduct themselves as to
escape contamination. They look compla-
Gently upon the gulf whose yawning chasm
stands ready to receive them, and walk almost
irresistiby forward, each step growing more
and more enchanting, until the unwary victim
finds the solid ground on which he stood is
fast changing to mire and slough, and he
soon will sink to endless oblivion, utterly
ruined
Nothing can exceed the rapidity of moral
degradation in band of depraved youths
They are like stone let loose from the top of
steep hill; it moves downwards with in
creased momentum, overcoming obstacles and
impediments with greater ease, until at last
no Influence brought to bear against it, could
hardly stop it. All other causes combined,
have not ruined so many as this one evil 1t
corrupts and depraves their habits, degrades
their morals, and unless the unfortunate dupe
is made aware Of his error, and induced to
leave his abandoned associates in season, he
will sink in wickedness and become pest to
society, forever discarded by all virtuous peo-
pie. This fearful statement is corroborated
by almost daily examples. When see
group of boys gathered at the corners of the
street, or in some conspicuous place, befoul-
ing the air with noisy profanity, obscene vul-
garity, need no prophetic afflatus to predict
the character Of those Of whom that group is
composed. Let young man, be he ever so
.virtuous, become connected with such COM
pany, and he will soon, very soon, call down
on his unsuspectiug head the epithet of Row.
dy, which comprehensive title implies almost
everything immoral, and the danger is great
er, the younger the culprit; for the older will
laugh at his exploits, fiatter and caiole this
vanity of the younger, while they, ambitious
af gaining the applause and praise of their
older comrades will 60 almost any length in
vice, and are the mere tools of the more ex-
perienced accomplice.
The late bloody riots in New York were
conducted mostly by young men from twelve
to twenty years Of age-the youngest often
the most daring. What deplorable evidences
Of the moral character Of the rising genera
ton Evidently, some are to blame; but
who? Let every one answer for himself. If
child of mine, for want of sufficient paren-
tai control, becomes depraved, and lives a
proAigatc life, as he doubtless would, who is
to blame ?-me or my child? The parent
may answer.
Permit me to indulge in an imaginary pic
ture Yonder is boy about fifteen years OF
age, we should Judge, just making his appear.
ance, who, for distinctions sake, we will call
Burt. His slouched hat or cap placed in the
rowdicst position imaginable, his head erect
strutting along, Satans proudest emissary
saluting every one with a familiar How are
ye2" Or How'd We do?" Indeed, he il
the most important man--in his own estima
tion-there could be found. Now he il
about to meet an aged, but respectable lady
Surely, he will respect her; but even now ht
is devising some way by which he can ridicul,
her. " | say BILL says he, speaking to {
lad who, to his credit be it said, is mindins
his own business, " is that your sistcr?"
All, young man, you have excited laugh
from your companion as compensation fol
your trouble; but you have lost all the res
pect that lady ever entertained for yon, anc
soon perhaps, you will have distress ant
trouble, and need the assistance of some kline
friend; but you have forfeited your characte
and reputation, and your friends will likewis,
be minus.
Presently he arrives near a group of boys
the foremost of whom seems to be designate,
by the simple title, Hen, (rowdies always hav
nickuames) and whose remote ancestsy nigh
perhaps, be traced to one Of the aborigina
tribes He seems to exult in his superio
power, and his only ambition is to excel il
physical strength, and he is regarded as
tayw that G can't be throwed" His com