Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1860-01-19
ynttresting STORY,
BAD COMPANY.

DAD OOlM1 AIN I y.
1t is an old saying that ga man is
known by the company he keeps" and a
saying more true was never uttered
This means that the person be judged by
such company, and such judgement must
have powerful weight against the char
acter and interest of any person. A
life picture-one drawn from actual Oh
servation-will illustrate my meaning.
In a small country village lived a
wealthy machinist named Clark. By in.
dustry and perseverance be had accumu
lated handsame property, and he still
carried On his business the same as be
fore, except that he did not work at the
bench, having as much other business as
he could attend to. Among his work
men was youth named Nathan Wilder.
Nathan was almost twenty one years of
age, and had been in Mr.. Clark's EN-
ployment for nearly seven years, having
been bound to him as an apprentice. He
was young man of more than ordinary
intelligence. 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 emf
nently handsome.
Yet Nathan had one fault He had
contracted a habit of associating with
some Of the reckl less unprincipled youths
of the town He loved to Ego away in
the evening and join with them in some
store or hall, in laugh. story and jest !;
and his social nature was of that ardent
and impulsive kind which leads one to
join in such spartssas may chance to be
started. Such youth would never pro
ject bad plan, but should his compan-
ions do so, lie would almost be sure to
join them. Some CT these youths were
low and degraded in character but yet
managed to hold on to certain degree
of respectability through the influence Of
respectable connections. Young Wilder
knew that they were jolly good fellows,
because he had heard others say it, and
he looked at nothing hey Dad this. He
felt sure that nothing could induce him
to do an evil deed, and with this self
assurance he was satisfied.
Where now p said Mr.. Clark, as
Nathan was preparing to 60 out one
evening. The young man lived with his
master, and had been member of the
family during the whole term Of his APP
premiership.
"Oh, just out to spend the evening
with few friends" replied Nathan, with
a smile.
Anything particular going on ?" pur-
sued Mr.. Clark.
Why" | believe some Of the boys
think of going over to the village" an
swered the youth with some hesitation.
What for?'
Well, there is sort of party over
there tonight"
Where ?"
"At Billy MacWayne's."
And did you think Of going with
them?'
Why" answered Nathan, looking
down on the floor, II thought if the resi-
went ! should 90; | don't suppose you
would forbid it,"
No, Nathan, l should not forbid it.,
but | hope you will not GO
"But why? A lot of friends are going.
and they arc 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 Ike 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. I
heard some of the boys in the black
smiths department talking about it this
afternoon. The Petcrkin boys will be
there, and SO will the Hamptons and
Lumbys. You know that they will get
rum at Macy aynes. and that they will
disturb the peace
But should not engage in any such
thing as that" said Nathan with much
earnestness. Il never take part in their
doings."
You only go to see the sport, eh?" in
quired Mr.. Clark, with a significant
smile.
"Why-yes-I s'pose So"
so thought. And now | want you
to understand this thing A man is
known by the company he keeps There
is no mistake abort this. Now you know
that most of the people over in the back
village are poor, though they may be in
dustrloas and frugal. And you know,
too, that the boys in our village go 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 Easslnan's fence
was torn down, and barn doors carried
off, besides several other tricks Of the
same stamp. Perhaps you know Of this. ;
Nathan Wilder hung down bis head
blushed, and "a faint yes cir, escaped
from bis lips.