Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-09-06
BAD COMPANY.
. srsror rOn YOU'VE PEOPLE.

bAU OOmf AN 4
A SKETCH FoR YOUNG PEoPLE.
It is an old saying that 90 man is known by
the company he keeps" and saying more true
never was uttered. This means that the person
is Judged by such company, and such Judgment
must have powerful weight against ths ehara
ter and interest of any person. A simple life
PICTURESQUE drawn from actual observation
will illustrate my Iaeauiug.
ain a small county village lived wealthy ma
shinist named Clark. By industry and perez
verance he had collected a handsome property,
but he still carried on his business the same as
before-save that he did not now work at the
bench, having as much other business as he
could attend TO. Among his workmen was
youth named Nathan Wilder Nathan was
almost twenty. one years of age, and had been
in Mr. Clak's employ nearly seven years, hay
ing been bound to him as an apprentice lie
was q Young man of more than ordinary intel
ligence and was respected and loved by all who
knew him. His direct qualities were all good,
and his personal appearance was not only manly,
but eminently handsome.
Yet Nathan had one fault He had contrac-
ted habit of GsooiAting with some of the reck .
less, unprlnciped youths oithe town. He loved
to 90 away IN the evening and meet with them
at SOME store or hail. and JOIN with them in
laugh, story and jest; and his social nature was
Of that ardent impusive kind which leads one
to join in just such sports may chance to be
started. Such a youth would never project a
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 ,chArac
ter; but yet managed to hold on to a certain
degree OF respectable connections. Young
A., ~. f,lI
because he had heard others say it, and he look
sd at nothing beyond this. He felt sure that
nothing could induce him 10 DO an evil deed,
aud with this seltassuTanoe he was satisfied.
"Whore nowl" said Mr.. Clark, as Nathan was
preparing to go out ne evening, The young
man lived with his master, and had been mem
Der of tue family during the whole term, thus
far, of bis apprenticeship.
20, Just going out 10 spend the evening with
a few friends" replied Nathan, with slight
smile.
Anything particular going Onl" pursued Mr..
Clark
"Why, believe some of the boys think of
going over to the village" answered the youth,
with some hesitation.
"What forl" .l
"Well, there is a sort OF party over there to.
night" fa. it"
.Wherel"
cat Billy Mac Wayne's."
"And did you think Of going with theml''
"Why," answered Nathan" looking down
upon the floor, al thought il the rest went
should go. did not suppose You wou d forbid
it,"
mo, Nathan, 1 should not forbid it, but l
should hope you would not go!'
"But whyI A lot of friends are going, and
they are only & ing for little sPort."
dBut 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 l do wish o 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 deeds before they get
back. heard some of the bsys in the black
smith department talking over 1t this afternoon
The Peterkin boys will be there, and so will
the Hamptons and Lumbys You know they
will get rum at Mac Wayne's, and that they will
disturb the peace"
"But | should not engage in any such thing
as that" said Nathan with much esTnestness.
81 never take part in their dOings."
"You only 90 to see the sport, ehP' enquired
Mr.. Clark, with significant SMILE
'Why-yes-I s'pose So"
$50 | thought. And now | want you to un-
derstand this thing--'A man is known by the
company ne keeps There is no mistake about
TINS. NOW you kIOW NlhA uohN Vi fhN fNHHAS
over in the village are poor, though they may be
industrious and frugal And you know, too,
that the boys in our village go over there 70
have their scrapes, beeauSe Of the poverty and
ignorance of the people there. Hence the very
starting point is not only wrong, hut low and
cruel. Only last week, poor JOHNNY Eastman
fence was torn down, and his barn door carried
off, besides several other tricks of the same
stamp Perhaps you know of this"
Nathan Wilder hung down his head and
blushed. and faint ''yss SIR" escaped from MS
lips.
Clark. o.,
"Yes sir, was; but l had nothing to do with
that--nOt a thing"
"But you stood by and laughed to see il
1onel"
81 couldn't help laughing, sir"
al am sorry Nathan, that you should have
thus helped the evil disposed ones IN their Work
You needn't look so wondering at me, for
mean just what say These wicked rakes ash
for no other pleasure but TO cause poor people
pain, and make their companions laugh. ANY
thing at (which you would laugh they WoplC
do. Now, / cannot conceive OF meaner o.
more nigpardly act than that Had they com'
and torn down my fence, il would not have beeI
half so criminal morally speaking, Tor Eastman
| is poor, and must feel such loss very much.
II knew il was mean trick, and would no
Join them in it," said Nathan.
''But you stood by and saw them do it,
Eyes sir; because didn't want TO come hoIn
alone"
''I understand it, Nathan; and LET me asspr
you that the best way to avoid coming hom
alone is never to 90 in company OF any one VIII
may do that Of which you may be ashamed r
just as sure as you continue in this way, an'
TO be seen in that company, just so sure vii
you be judged with them. Now am going 4
| give you bit Of information. Only yesterday
gentleman asked me what kind Of young MAJ
"that Nathan Wilder" was. OF course toll
him you we're a good youth, and asked hin
what he meant. He then informed me tha
| you were with the party who torn down East
man 3 fence, and did otber things ofequal sham
/ and sin He did not know that you lived in In,
| family, and he only asked for information, a
/ he had seen you often, and supposed you TO b.
| a fine young man. l hope you viii not 90 GU
this evening"
"Of course shall not II you do not wish u.
! "But do you wish TO gol"
The youth hesitated. The fact waa. he hai
been anticipating the sport for days, and h
could not Immediately give Il up.
"COoper lie going" he said, after some mo
ments thought
"JosePh, do you meant
eyes, sir"
81 am sorry for it, then for Joseph Cooper
know is a kind, generous, honest youth, and b.
ought not thus 10 ruin his reputation. Yo'
! look surprised. but / speak the truth. No man
be he ever so pure, can associate long with evi
companions without losing his standing amdnl
respectable people. Why, you are looked upol
by some as having had a hand in the mischie