Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1860-01-19
JOURNAL AND BUSINESS DRET0RYS AIM TO AMSE TO INSTR
FREEHOLD. N. j. THURsDAY MORNING JANUARY Ig.- I86o

the evening, or how happy he was. But
one thing We will state. Very late, after
many very meaningless things had been
talked about, Nathan arrived at a point
where he found courage to ask Mabel il
she thought her father would ever consent
to receive him for son-in-law.
He has spoken with me on the sub.
ject, answered the maiden, frankly, and
he told me that if you made as good a
man, morally and socially. as you had
thus far been boy and youth, he should
be happy to see me your wife,
For some moments after this, the youth
thought more than he spoke; and the
gllstening tears that stood in his eyes
told how deep were his feelings.
On the following morning Nathan went
early to the shop, happy and buoyant.
About an hour afterwards Joseph Cooper
made his appearance, looking sleepy, and
with a pale face.
F." Well, Joe," said Nathan, what sort
of time did you have last night ~
neutrality-suspicious." cried Cooper.
Rum enough, though, and l was fool
enough to drink some"
This last clause was spoken in a
changed tone.
" Why, | did not know that you ever
drank" said Nathan, with much surprise
don't like to; but | had to last
night, They hung on so that | couldn't
get rid of it,"
:" All, Joe, you'd better have taken my
advice last night"
And how long is it since you have
become SO nice 2" asked Cooper, with
some irony.
Only since last evening"" kindly re
piled Nathan, and even then [ became
so only from the plain advice and counsel
OF another"
: But we had some rare sport. O,
Some-I tell you. Aud as Cooper thus
spoke, he gave a significant wink, and
ther went to his bench.
Joseph Cooper was only two,and TWEEN
ty, and had been an apprentice to Mr..
Clark until his majority. since which time
he had been at work as .journeyman.
Nothing more was Said on the subject
of the last nights scrape until near the
middle Of the afternoon. 1t was near
three O'Clock, when the deputy sheriff
entered the shop and inquired for Joseph
Cooper.
" Where is Cooper ?" the officer asked
Of Nathan Wilder.
That's him at the other end of the
shop Sir"
Let's see" resumed the visitor, CLAN
cling over the paper he held in his hand;
where were you last night ?"
= At home, sir"
You didn't go over to the back vii
lage 2"
No, sir. I've concluded to let that
company go without me hereafter"
Good. I'm glad of that" uttered the
Sheriff, enphatically; and thea he went
along to where Cooper was at work.
He spoke with the yeulg man, and the
latter turned pale as death. There was
much evident begging and praying, but
in vain. The officer came for Joseph
Cooper and he could not go without him.
So Joe washed his hands and put on his
coat and hat and then with trembling
step he accompanied the officer from the
shop.
When Nathan went out after his DAYS
work was done, he learned the whole
story. On the night before, a party Of
young men had gone over to the back
village, and had caroGsal at Billy Mac
Waynes; and on their return they tore
down fences, and carried away barn
doors. opened barn yards and let the
cattle out, stole water melons and seve-
raj other things of like character. News
had been received there that the party
were coming, and they were watched
They we're seen to do these things, and
though it was too dark to distinguish
their faces at the time, yet all who were
at MacWaynes We're known, and had
been traced to their mischief.
That very evening the party, fourteen
In number, were arraigned before JUS
tlce. and the complaint was entered
against them. Poor Cooper pleaded
that he had nothing to do with the work,
and while tears rolled down his cheeks
he asserted his innocence.
You have been in the same company
BEFORE" said the justice.
Yes, sir" hesitating'y answered
Cooper.
And you have known their character
Cor mischief and disturbance =
Yes, sir; but T.
"Never mind, now" interrupted The
judge. You should have thought of all
this before. No man in this party would
have gone alone and done this work. Ii
takes gang to make such doings worth
while, aud you have been a member Of
that gang for some time. If you would
be pure aud above suspicion, you must
beware what company you Keep.
After this the justice went to speak Of
the many wicked deeds which had been
doAe in Inc past, and which, for the
slke Of The friends Of the perpetrators,
had been passed over; bat these things
could not be overlooked now. The crime
may have been sport to the doors, but
poor honest people. had suffered heavily.
A stop must he put to it"
=. a., A