The Kenosha telegraph and tribune. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1859-1860, 1859-09-08
KENOsHA, WISCONSIN, THURSDAY, S
b AID COMPANY:
"A sketch for Young People.

II Is an old saying that e man is known by
the company he keeps and saying more true
never was uttered. This means that person
Is J"dged by such company, and such judgement
must nave powerful weight against the char
ac'er ana interests of any person. A simple
ING picture-one drawn from actual observation
VIII illustrate my meaning.
! IN small country village lived wealthy
machlnist named Clark By industry and Der
severance he had collected handsome proper
ty, but he still carried on his business the same
as before, save that he did not now work at the
oench, having as much other business as he
could attend to. Among his workmen was a
youth named Nathan Wilder. Nathan was al
most twenty-one years of age, and had been
In Mr. Clark's employ nearly seven years hav-
| ing been bound to him as an apprentice. He
was young man Of more than ordinary intelli-
gence, and was respected and loved by all who
knew him. His direct qualities were all good,
and his personal appearance was not only m IN
~ but eminently handsome.
Yet Nathan had one fault. He had contracted
habit of associatng with some of the reckless
and unprincipled youths of the town He loved
to go in the evening to some store or hall, and
join them in laugh, story or jest; and his social
nature wasof that ardent and impulsive kind
which leads Zone to join in just such sports as
may chance to be started. Such youth would
never project bad plan, but should his compa-
MONS do SO, he would be almost sure to Join
them. Some of these youths were low and de-
graded in character, but managed to hold on to
certain degree of responsibility through the
influence of respectable connections. Young
| Wilder knew that they were Jolly good fell
lows" because he had heard others say it, and
he looked at nothing beyond this. He felt sure
that nothing could induce him to do an evil
deed, and with this self assurance he was salts.
fed
"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 slight
smile
Anything particular going on7" pursued
| Mr. Clark.
why, believe some of the boys think of
going over to the village answered the youth
| with some hesitation.
"What for 2"
"Well, there is a sort of party over there
| o-night."
"Where 2"
"At Billy MacWayne's.'
"And did you think of going with them 2"
"Why," answered Nathan, looking down
upon the floor, =" / thought if the rest went 1
would go. didn't suppose you would forbid
it,
No. Nathan, I should not forbid it, but 1
should hope you would not co.
" But why? lot of 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 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 sure
to commit some evil deed before they get back.
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 they win
get rum at MacWayne's, and that they will dis
turb the peace"
But should not engage in any such thing
as that" said Nathan, with much earnestness,
" never take part in their doings."
You only go to see the sport ell 2" inquired
MIR. Clark, with a significant smile.
Why-yes-I s'pose so.''
So thought. And now want you to I'M
defstand 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 village are poor, though they |
may be industrious and frugal And you know, |
too, that the boys in our village 60 over there to
have their scrapes, because of the poverty and
ignorance of the people there. Hence, the very
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
Oft, besides several other tricks of the same
stamp. Perhaps you know of this"
Nathan Wilder hung down his head and
blushed, and faint yes sir y escaped from his
lips. - ~
You were there, wern't you 2" pursued Mr..
Clark
q" Yes sir. was but had nothing to do
with that-n thing"
g But you stood by and laughed to see it
done q" r-
" couldn't help laughing, sir"
am sorry, Nathan, that you should have
fh,1o a.
You needn't look SO wonderingly at me, for
mean just what / say. These wicked rakes ask
for no other pleasure but to cause poor people
pain, and make their companions laugh. Any
thing at which you would laugh they would do.
Now, cannot conceive of 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 Eastman
is poor, and must feel such a loss very mnch.''
t knew it was mean trick, and / would
not join them in it." said Nathan.
" But you stood by and saw them do it 2"
"Yes sir; because didn't want to come
home alone.'
g understand it, Nathan; and let me assure
you that the best way to avoid coming home
alone is never to go in company of any one who
may do that of which you may be ashamed.
Just as sure as you continue in this way, and
to be seen in that company, just SO sure viii
! you be judged with them. Now, 1 am going to
give you bit information. Only yesterday, a
gentleman asked me what kind of young man
:" that Nathan Wilder" was. Of course told
him you were a good youth, and asked him what
/ he meant He than informed me that vnn Hvara