The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-10-10
Bad COmpany....A Sketch for Young
People.

1t is an old saying that {" man is
known by the company he keeps"
and a saying more true never was ut
tered. This means that the person is
judged by such company, and such
judgment must have powerful weight
against the character and interest of
any person. A simple life-picture-
one drawn from actual observation
will illustrate my meaning.
In small country village lived
wealthy machinist named Clark. By
industry and perseverance he had col
lected handsome property, but he
still carried on his business the same as
befOre-save that he did not work at
the bench, having as much other busi-
ness as he could attend to. Among
his workmen was youth named Ma
than Wilder. Nathan was almost
twenty-one years of age, 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 respected and loved by all who
knew him. His direct qualities were
all good, and his personal appearance
was not only manly, but emineDtly
handsome.
Yet Nathan had one fault. He had
contracted habit of associating with
some of the reckless, unprincipled
youths of the town. He loved to 90
away in the evening and join with them
at some store or hall, and join with
them in laugh, story or jest; and his
social nature was Of that ardent impul-
sive kind which leads one in Just such
sports as may chance to be started.
Such 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 character; but yet
managed to hold on to certain degree
of respectable connections. Young
Wilder knew that they were jolly young
fellows, because he heard others say it,
and he looked at nothing beyond this.
He felt sure that nothing could induce
him to do an evil deed, and with this
self he was satisfied.
Where now?" said Mr.. Clark, as
Nathan was preparing to go out one
evening. The young man lived with
his master, and had been a member Of
the family during the whole term, thus
far, of his apprenticeship. 1a.
go, just going out to spend the eve
ming with few friends" replied Ma
than, with a slight smile.
Anything particular going on?'
pursued Mr.. Clark. Z! r52 owe.
"Why, believe some of the boys
think of going over to the village" an
swered the youth, with some hesita
ton. soc sflLa
"What for ?" tei8 no 9aI
"Well there is sort of party ove1
there tonight" ba.
"Where ?" e's5
SAT Billy Mac Wayne's." 80
Sand did you thing of going will
them?" .aHE re; 9o3x
"Why," answered Nathan, looking
down upon the floor, 81 thought if th'
rest went l should go. l did not sup
pose you would forbid it." h2Gea
''No, Nathan, / should not forbid it
but | should hope you would not go.
"But why? A lot of friends are 90
ing, and they are only going for a littl
sport" asa h
'sBut do you know what kind of spor
they will have before they get back
Now mark me, Nathan, / do not wisl
to deprive you of any real pleasure
but do wish to keep you from danger
You know the character of those VIII
are going, and you know that they wi
be very sure to commit some evil deed
f before they get back. l heard some
the boys in the blacksmith's depart
ment talking over it this afternoon
The Peterkin boys will be there, an
so will the Hamptons and Lumbys
f You know they will get rum at Ma
Wayne's, and they will disturb th
peace" aeA alff
!, sBut should not engage in any sue
thing as that" said Nathan with muc
earnestness. 81 never take a part i
their doings."