The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-10-10
"You only 90 to see the sport, eh %
enquired Mr.. Clark with a significant
emiIo ....--4. = ..fl

w ny-yeS-l pose SO. e.r
$50 / thought. And now / want
you to understand this thing: A man
is known by the company he keeps.
There is no mistake about this. Now
you know that most of the people over
in the village are frugal. And you
know, too, that the boys in our village
go over there to have their scrapes, be-
cause 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
Johny Eastman's fence was torn down,
and his barn door carried off, besides
several other tricks of the same stamp.
Perhaps you know of this"
"Nathan Wilder hung down his head
and blushed, and faint eyes. sir" es-
capped from his lips.
"You were there, weren't you ?" pur-
sued Mr.. Clark. bod .G1'.5
eyes sir, was; but had nothing
to do with that-not thing"
"But yon stood by and laughed to
see it done ?''
81 couldn't help laughing, SIR"
81 am sorry, Nathan, that you should
have thus helped the evil disposed ones
in their work. You needn't look so
wondering at me, for 1 mean just what
l say. These wicked rakes ask for no
other pleasure but to cause poor people
pain, and make their companions laugh.
Anything at which you would langh
they would do. Now, / cannot con-
ceive of meaner or more niggardly
act than that. Had they come and
torn down my fence, it would not have
been half SO criminal, morally speaking,
for Eastman is poor, and must feel such
loss very much"
''I knew it was a mean trick, and |
would not join them in it," said Nathan.
"But you stood by and saw them do
it ?" E .
eyes, sir; because didn't want to
come home alone"
81 understand it Nathan; and let
me assure you that the best way to
avoid coming home alone is never to
60 into company of any one who may
do that of which you may be ashamed.
Just as sure as you continne in this
way, and to be seen in that company,
just SO sure will you be judged with
them. Now l am going to give you a
bit of information. Only yesterday, a
gentleman asked me what kind of a
young man sthat Nathan Wilder was.
Of course / told him that you were a
good youth, and asked him what he
meant. He then informed me that
you were with the party that tore down
Eastman's fence, and did other things
of equal shame and sin. He did no,
know that you lived in my family, and
he only asked for information, as he had
seen you often, and supposed you to be
fine young man. hope you will not
go out this evening"
"Of course l shall not if you do not
wish it." d.
"But do you wish to go % .f. r
The youth hesitated. The fact was
he had been anticipating the sports fol
DAYS, and he could not Immediately
give it up. aHE luI
Cooper is going" he said, after
some moments thought.
"Joseph, do you mean ?''
eyes, SIR"
81 am sorry for it, then, for JOSEPH
Cooper, l know, is kind, generous
honest youth, and he ought not thus tc
ruin his reputation. You look sur
prised, but | speak the truth. No man
be he ever so pure, can associate lons
with evil companions without losing hi,
standing among respectable people
Why, you are looked upon by some a.
having had a hand in the mischief o
which l have spoken"
"But people who know me woult
know BETTER" uttered Nathan, quit'
confidently. alF ha
"How should they know better
You seek those evil companions, ant
are present at their evil work. Yo1
know who pulled down Eastman
fence, of course, [ don't mean to asl
you who did it, but say you know"
eyes, sir, l do.'' ,srE 6a4a
"And you, were you asked who di
it, would you tell"
"Of course not. / wouldn't expos,
a companion" asr' isat at.i mo
$50 l supposed. And now look a
it. You were in the Icompany-one Q
: the party; the party did certain deeds
and you must bear your share of tn
blame. But let this pass. You knoN
that those young men with whom yo
would associate are evil disposed; an
you know, too, that if they 60 over t
, Mac Wayne's tonight, they will be u
, to some sort of mischief. / think hav
said enough to enable you to under
stand the rest. Now you may spen
, the evening with Mabel, or you may G
over to the back village, just as yo
choose"
Nathan Wilder started as he hear
these words; but before he could max
any reply his master was gone. Bu
. he was not long left alone, for in m'
ment more brightreyed lovely girl,
some nineteen summers, came trippln
into the room. She was Mr.. Clark
D only child. Long had the youth love
| that fair girl, and he knew she love
s him in return ;-but he had not yet ha
f the courage to mention the subject I
: his master for he was only an apprer
. tice, now, though few short month