The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-05-09
B ad C o m p a n y.
A Sketch for Young People
By AUSTIN @. BURBANK.

md such judgment, must have powerful
weight against the character and interests
Of any person. A simple life piCture-oRe
drawn from actual observation will illus
trate my meaning. ".'
In small country village lived a wealthy
machinist named Clark. By industry and
perseverance, he had collected O handsome
property, but he still carried on the business
the same rs before-save that he did not
now work at the bench, hovng 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.. Ciark's
employ nearly seven years, having 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 gone, and his personal appearance was
not only manly, but emincntly handsome
Yet Nathan had one fault. He had con-
tracted habit of assocating with some OF
the reckless, unprincipled youths of the
town. He loved to go away in the evening
and meet :hem at some store or hall, spend
ing it in laugh. story and jests; and his So
cial nature was Of that ardent, impnlsive
nature which lends one to join in just such
sports 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 certain de-
gree OF respectabily, through the influence
of respectable connections. Young Wilder
knew that they were "jolly good fellows,
because he had heard others say so, and ht
had looked at nothing beyond this. He fel
sure that nothing could induce him to do al
evil deed, and with this self.ussurance HI
wss sn,isied
"Where now!" said Mr.. Clark, as Ma
than was preparing 10 go out one evening
The young man lived with his master, an
had been q member OF the family during tn
whole term, thus far Of his apprenticeship.
80, Just going out to spend the evenin
with few friends" replied Nathan with
faint smile.
"Anythng particular going on!" pursue
Mr.. Clark.
"Why, I believe that some of the boy
think Of going over to the village" answere e
q the youth with some hesitation.
: "For what 7"
"Well-there is q scrt Of frolic ovt
there tonight"
"Where?
n cat Billy McWayne's."
q Sand did you think cf going with them
e "Why," answered Nathan looking dow
upon the floor. IL thought if the rest we
i | should 60. didn't suppose you would fo
bid it,"
"No, Nathan, I should not forbid it, but
should not give my consent. Ishould hoI
" that you would not CO."
CT "But why! A lot Of my friends are
IL ing, and they are only going for lit
sport"
"But YOU know what kind of sport tn
D. will have before they get back Now mo
Nv me, Nathan, do not wish to deprive you
any real pleasure, but do wish to keep
n from danger. You know the character
those that ore going, and you know tn
will be very sure to commit some evil de'
before you get back. ! heard some of
he boys in the blacksmith's department talk
Vn about it this afternoon. The Peterkin b.
sw will be there, and SO will Hamptons {
. Lumbys. You know they will get rum
ny McWuyne's, and that they will disturb
peace"
1t was but last week, poor Johnny E'
mans fence YVES torn down, and his b
he doors carried off, besides several other trl
Ps' of the same sort. Perhaps you know
'u' this"
Nathan Wilder hung his head and bl,
ed, and faint "yes, sir" escaped his lip
"You were there, were you not - pu
ed Mr.. Clark.
'uF "Yes, sir, was; hut had nothing te
lied .u;.h .h.,no, , th;no."
"But you stood by and laughed to Sc
'"' DONE"
my ~ could not help laughing. sir"
not II am sorry, Nathan, that you should
,uld ..,. ho,,ed Tho ev;l.disnosed ones in I
work. You needn't look so wonderingl
use me, for mean just what I ssy. II
with wicked rakes ask for no other pleasure
= to cause poor people pain, and make
ad- companions laugh. Anything at which
would laugh they would do. Now ca
and conceive of more niggardly act than
'0o' Had they come and torn down my fenc
would not have been half so crlminal'
snss ally speaking, for Eastman is poor
ias' must feel such loss very much"
A' IL know 1t was a mean trick, and W
~" not Join them," said N athaD.
e o'SS "But you stood by and saw them do
"Yes, sir; because ] did not want to
bad home alone." 70 at
h nm 81 understand it, Nathan; and let m
ioht. sure you that the best way to avoid co
hia home alone il never to 60 in the com