Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-23

think of going over to the village" an
swered the young man, with some besi-
tation.
"For WHAT"
"Well-there is sort of party ovel
there tonight"
"Where?'
cat Lilly McWayne's.
"And did you think of going with
them?"
"Why," answered Nathan, looking
down upon the floor, 81 thought if the
rest went, I should go. didn't sup
pose you would forbid it."
"No, Nathan, should not forbid it,
but should not give you my consent,
for 1 should hope you would not co.
"But why? A lot of my friends are
going, and they are only going to have
little SPORT
"But do you know what kind of sport
they will have before they get back?-
Now mark me, Nathan; 1 do not wish to
deprive you of any real pleasure, but |
do wish to keep you from danger. You
know the character of those who are
going, and you know that they will be
very sure to commit some evil deed be-
rore they get back. 1 heard some of the
boys in the blacksmiths'. department
talking about it, this afternoon. The
Peterkin boys will be there, and so will
the Hampton's and Lumby's. You
know that they will get rum at Nc
Wayne's. and that they will break the
peace"
"But should not engage in any such
thing as that" said Nathan, with much
earnestness. 1 never take part in tLeir
doings."
"You only go to see the sport, eh?"
queried Mr. Clark, with significant
smile.
"Why-yes-I suppose So"
$50 thought. And want you to
understand this thing: "A man is known
by The company he keeps There is no.
mistake about this. Now you know that
most of the people over in the back vii
lage are poor, though they may be in
dustrious and frugal. And you know,
too, that our boys 60 over there to have
their scrapes because of the poverty and
ignorance of the people there. Hence,
the starting point is not only wrong but
low and cruel. Only last week poor
Johnny Eastman's fence was torn down,
and his barn-doors carried off, besides
several tricks of the same stamp. Per
haps you know this?"
Nathan Wilder hung down his head
and blushed, and faint "Yes sir" es
capped his lips.
"You were there, were you not?"
continued Mr. Clark.
"Yes, sir, I was, but l had nothing to
do with that-not thing"
"But you stood by and laughed to
see it done?"
81 could not help laughing, SIR"
81 am sorry, Nathan, that you should
have thus helped the vil-disposed in
their work, You need not look so Won
deringly at me, for 1 mean just what l
say. These wicked rakes ask for no
other pleasure but to cause poor people
pain, and make their companions laugh.
Anything at which you would laugh,
they would do. Now, l cannot conceive
of a meaner or more niggardly act than
that. Had they come and torn down
my fence, it would not have been half SO
criminal, morally speaking; for East
man is poor, and must feel such a loss
very seriously"
81 know it was a mean trick. and |
would not Join them in it," said Ma
than.
"But you stood by and saw them do
it?"
eyes, sir, because didn't want 10
come home alone"
II understand it, Nathan; and let me
assure you, that the best way to avoid
coming home alone is never to go in the
company of any one who may do that of
which you would be ashamed. Just as
sure as you continue to be seen in their
company, just SO sure will you be judg-
ed with them. Now l am going to give
you bit of information. Only yester-
day, gentleman asked me what kind
of man that Nathan Wilder was? Of
course told him tha. you were a good
youth, and asked him what he meant.
He then informed me that you were
with the party who tore down Eastman's
fence, and did other things of equal
shame and sin. He did know that you
lived in my family, and he only asked
for information, as he had seen you Of
ten. and supposed you to be fine
young man. 1 hope you will not go out
this evening"
"Of course [ shall not, if you do not
wish it."
"But do you wish to go?"
The youth hesitsted. The fact was,
he had been anticipating the sport for
two days, and he could not Immediately
give it up.