The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1860-03-23
BAD COMPANY.
& sketch for Young Folks.
BY A. c. DCRBANE.

1t is an old saying that "a man is
known by the company he keeps and a
saying more true was never uttered. This
means that person is Judged by such
company, and such judgment must have a
powerful weight against the character and
Interests of any person. A simple life pic
ture-one drawn from actual observation
will illustrate nv meaning.
In small country village lived wealthy
machin:st uamed Clark. By industry and
perseverance, he had collected handsome
properly, but ne still carried on bis busi-
ness as before-save that lie did not now
work at the bench, having as much other
business as lie could well attend to-
Among hia workmen was a youth named
Nathan Wilder. Nathan Was now almost
twenty one years old, and had been in Mr.
Clark's employ nearly seven years, having
been bound to him as an apprentice. He
was young man Of more than ordinary
intelligence and was loved and respected
by all who knew him His direct quail
ties were all good, and his personal ap-
pearance was not only manly but eminent
Iy handsome.
Yet Nathan had one fault. lie had
contracted a habit Of associating with
some Of the reckless and unprincipled
youth Of the town lie loved to 90 away
in the evening and meet them in some
store or hall, ana Join With them in a
laugh, story or jest; and his social nature
was Of that ardent, i,apuIsiye kind, which
eads one to join in just such sport a. may
chance to bs started. Such youth would
never project a bad plan, but should his
companions do 80, he viii be almost sure
to JOIN them. Some Of these youths we're
low and degraded IN character; but yet
managed to hold on TO q certain degree Of
responsibility, through the influence of
respectable associates. Wilde. knew that
they were "jo,ly good fellows" because
he had beard Others say so, and he looked
a. nothing beyond this. lie felt sure that
nothing could induce him 10 do an evil
deed aud with this seIfassurance lie felt
satisfied.
Where row p asked Mr.. Clark, as
Nathan vas preparing to go ont one even
ing. The Young man lived with his mas
ter, and had been member Of the family
during the term thus far Of his apprentice
ship.
40, Just going to spend the evening
with a low friends replied Nathan with
4 slight smile
Anything particular going on 2" con-
,inued Nr Clark
Why, believe some Of the boys think
Of going to the village" answered The
young man with some Hesitation.
q" For what !'
Well-.here is sort of party over
there tonight"
"Wher. -
"At Billy McU-aynes."
And did you think of going there with
them 2"
why" answered Nathan, looking
down upon the floor, 81 thought if the
rest went, should go did not suppose
you would forbid my going"
Z" No Nathan, should not forbid it, but
| should not give my consent, for should
hope you would not go"
:" But why? A lot Of my friends are
going-and they are only going to have
little sport"
But DO you know what kind of sport
they will have before they get back 3
Now, mark ne, 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 90
ing, and YOU know that they will be very
sure to commit some evil deed before they
get back ! heard some of the boys in
the blacksnith's department talking about
1t thio afternoon. The Peterkin boys will
he there, and 60 VII the IIamptons and
Lum5ys You know that they will get
rum at McWayne's, and that they viii al
50 break 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 90 to see the sport, ell y
queiied Mr.. Clark, with a significant smile.
d" Yes-yes-I suppose so.'
L" So thought. And want you to un-
derstand this thing; A man is known
by the company lie keeps There is no
mistake about this. Now you know that
most Of the people over in the back village
are poor, though they are Industrious and
frugal. And you know too, that our boys
go over there to have their scrapes because
Of the poverty and ignorance of the people
there. Hence, the starting point is hot
only wrong, but low and cruel, OD.y last
week, poor Johnny Eastman fence was
torn down. and his barn doors carried of.
4 d. L. al IL b,