East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1863-04-02
EAST SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, APRIL 2, 1868.
had COMPANY.
A SKETCH ror YOUNG PEOPLE.

a saying more true never was uttered.
This means the person is Judged by snch
company, and such Judgment, mnst have
powerful weight against the character
and Interests Of any person. A simple
life picture one drawn from actual OBJ.
selvaiion-wil illustrate my meaning.
In small country village lived a
wealthy machinist named Clark. BY
industry and perseverance he had col
lected a handsome property, out he
carried on his business the same as be.
fore-save that he did not now work at
the bench, having as much other bust.
ness as he could attend to. Among his
workman was youth named Nathan
Wilder. Nathan was almost twenty.oDe
years ofage. and had been in Mr.. Clark's
employ nearly seven years, having been
bound to him as an apprentice. He was
a young man Of more than ordinary in.
telhgence, and was respected and loved
by all who knew him. His direct quail.
tiles were oil good, and his personal ap
pearance was not only manly but emf
nently handsome.
Yet Nathan had ono fault He had
contracted habit of associating with
some of the reckless, unprincipled youths
of the town. He loved to go away in
the evening and join with them at some
store or ball, and join with them in
laugh, story and jest; and his social ma.
ture was of that ardent impulsive kind
which leads one to join in just such
sports as may chance TO be started.--
such youth would never project a
plan, but should his companions do so,
he would be almost sure to join. Some
of these youths were low and degraded
in character; but yet managed to hold
on TO certain degree Of responsibility,
through the inflnonce of respectable con
nections. Young Wilder knew that
they were Jolly good fellows" because
he had heard others say it, and he look.
ed at nothing beyond this. He felt sure
that nothing could induce him to do an
evil deed, and with this self.assurance he
was satisfied.
"Where now? said Mr. Clark, as
Nathan was preparing TO go out one
evening; The young man lived with h's
mas or, and bad been member Of the
family during the whole term, thus far,
of his apprenticeship.
90, just going out to spend the eve
ming with few friends" replied Nathan
with a slight smile.
Anything particular going onH" pur.
sued Nr. Clark
"Why, believe some Of the boys
think of going over TO the village"
answered the youth, with some hesitation
"What for?"
"Well-there is sort of II party over
there tonight"
"Where?'
"At Billy MacWayne's,"
"And did you think Of going with
themp"
"Why," answered Nathan, looking
down upon the floor, II thought if the
rest went should 90. didn't sup
pose you would forbid it."
mo, Nathan, should not forbid it
but should hope You would not go?'
"But why? A lot of friends are go
ing, and they are only going to have q
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 keep 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. ] heard some OF
the boys in the blacksmith's department
talking about it this afternoon. The
Peterkin boys will be there. and so will
the Hamptons and Lumbys You know
they will get rum at Mac Wayne's, and
that they will disturb the peace"
But should not engage in any such
thing asthat," said Nathan, with much
earnestness. II never take a part in
their dongs."
"You only go to see the sport, ehP'
cnquired Mr.. Clark, with a significant
smile.
"Why-yes-I s'pose So"
$50 l thought. And now I, want
YOU to understand one thing-"A man
is known by the company be keeps.'-
There is no mistake about this" Now
you know that most of the people over
in the back village are poor, though
they may be Industrious and frugal =
AMI yol know, too, that the boys in
our village go over there to have their
scrapes, because of the poverty and igno
rance of the people there. Hence, the
very starting point is not only wrong,
but low and cruel. Only last week
poor johnny Eastman's fence was torn
down, and his barn doors carried off
besides several other tricks of the same
sort. Perhaps you know Of this9"
Nathan Wilder hung down his head
and blushed, and faint "yes SIR" ca
capped from his lips.
"You were there, weren't you?" pur,
sued Mr.. Clark
"Yes sir, was; but | had nothing to
do with that-not thing"
"But you stood by aud laughed to
see it done?"
"I cold't help laughing, SIR"
"I am sorry, Nathan that you should
have thus helped the evil disposed ones
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