Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-03-18
Grnrral iHtscrllanu
BAD COMPANY
A sKrrou ron YOUNG rEor1r.

person is Judged by such company, and such
judgment must have powerful weight against
the character and interests of any person. A
simple ife-picture-one drawn from actual
observation-will illustrate my meaning.
In small country village lived a wealthy
machinist named Clark BY industry and
perseverance, he had collected a handsome
property, but he still carried on his business
the same as bcfore--save that he did not now
work at the bench, having as much other bus
mess as he could attend 20. Among his work.
men was youth named Nathan Wilder
Nathan was now almost twenty-one years OF
age, and had been in Mr. Clark's employ
nearly seven years, having been bound to him
as an apprentice. lie was young man Of
more than ordinary intelligence, and was res
poctcd and loved by all who knew him. His
direct qualities were all good, and his person
al appearance was not only manly, but emf
ncntly handsome
Yet Nathan had ono fault He had con-
uacted habit of assocating with some of the
reckless unprinoipled youths Of the town
He loved TO 20 away in the evening and meet
them at some store or hail. and join with
them in laugh, story and jest and his social
nature was of that ardent impulsye kind
which leads one to join in just such sport as
may chance TO be started. Such a youth
would never project bad plan. but should
his companions do so, he would be almost
sure to Join them. Some of these youths
were low and degraded in character; but yet
managed to hold on to a certain degree Of re-
spectability through the influence of respect
able connections Young Wilder knew that
they were "iolly good fellows because he
1,,I Ir.r I,tk ho 4 D..
ing beyond this. lie felt sure that nothing
could induce him to do an evil deed, and with
this seli-assurance he was satisfied.
"Where now :" said Mr. Clark, as Nathan
was preparing to go out one evening. The
young man lived with his master, and had
been member Of the family during the whole
term. thus far of his apprenticeship.
30, just going out to spend the evening
with few friends, replied Nathan, with a
slight smile
Anything particular going on p pursued
Mr. Clark
"Why l believe some Of the boys think OF
going over to the village answered the youth,
with some hesitation.
"For what y
"Well-there is a sort of party over there
tonight
"Where =
AT Billy Mac Wayne's"
"And did you think of going with them
"Why,n answered Nathan, looking down
upon the floor, 81 thought if the rest went,
should go. ! didn't suppose you would for
bid it,
NO Nathan, ! should not forlid it, but (,
should not give you my consent for l should
hope that you would not 90.
'But why; A lot of 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 to deprive you O
any real pleasure, but l do wish to kee'
you from danger. You know the character
those who are going, and you know that they
will be very sure to commit some evil deeds
before they get back. heard some of tho
boys in the blacksmith's department talking
about it this afternoon The Petcrkin boys
will be there and so will the Hamptons anG
Lumbys You know they will get rum a.
Mac Waynes, and that they will disturb tho
peace.
"But | should not engage in any such thinl
as that said Nathan, with much earnest.
ness. 81 never take part in their doings.
"You only 60 to see the sport, eh y querieG
Mr.. Clark, with significant smile.
"Why-yes-I s'pose So
so ! thought And now | want you
understand this thng-'A man is known b
the company he keeps. There is no mistak
about this. Now you know that most Of tn
people over in the back village are poor
though they may be industrious and frugal
And you know, too, that the boys in our vii
age 20 over there to have their scrapes, b..
cause of the poverty and ignorance of the peo
pie there. Hence the very starting point j
not only wrong. but low and cruel Only
last week, poor Johnny Eastmans fence wai
torn down. and his barn doors carried off, be
sides several other tricks Of the same stamp
Perhaps you knew of this"
Nathan Wilder hung down his head and
blushed, and a faint 'yes, sir" escaped from
his lips.
you were there, weren't you," pursued
Mr. Clark.
Eyes, sir, was but had nothing to d.,
with that-not thing.
"But you stood by and laughed to sec
done,"
~ couldn't help laughing, sir.
81 am sorry, Nathan, that you should hay
thus helped the evil disposed ones in the
work. on needn look so WOndeflngly
me, for mean Just what ! say. These wick
ed rakes ask for no other pleasure but to caus
poor people pain, and make their companion
laugh. Anything at which you would laug
they would do. Now, cannot conceive of
meaner or more niggardly act than that. Ha
they come and torn down my fence, it woul
not not have been half so criminal, moral
speaking, for Eastman is poor, and must fee
such loss very much.
II knew it was mean trick, and | woul
not Join them in it, said Nathan.
"But you stood by and saw them do it;'
"Yes, sir; because didn't want to CON
home alone
IL understand it, Nathan and let me a
sure you that the best way to avoid comm
home alone is never to go in the company
any one who may do that of which you ma
be ashamed. just as sure as you continue
be seen in that company, just so sure will yo
be Judged with. Now l am going to give yo
bit of information. Only yesterday, ger
tleman asked me what kind of a young ma
that Nathan Wilder was. OF course | tol
him you were a good youth, and asked hh
what he meant. He then informed me thn
You were with the party who tore down East
mans fence. and did other things of equn
sbamo and Gin Ha did not knnw that 20