Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-02-26
MtsteIl
THE FIRST OFFENCE

oied 10 celebrate his birthday. a very ami
mated discussion had been carried on fol
some time, as to whether the fret deviation
from integrity should be treated with sevet
ty or leniency. Various we're the opinions
aud numerous the arguments brought for.
ward to support them. The majority appear.
ed to lean to the side of "crush all offences in
the bud" whom aiwarm hearted old gentleman
exclaimed, depend upon it, more young PEG.
pie are lost TO society from first offence be-
ing treated with injudicous severity, than
from the contrary extreme. Not that
would pass over the slightest deviation from
integrity, either in word OF deed that would
certainly be mistaken kindness but on the
other hand, neither would punish with Sc
verify an offence committed. perha $, under
the influence of temptation temptation, too,
that we ourselves may have houghtlessly
placed in the way, in such a manner as to
render it irresistible. For instance, lady
hires a servant; the girl has hitherto borne a
good character, but it is her first place her
honesty has never yet been put to the test
Her mistress, without thinking of the cOntin-
ual temptation to which she is exposing fell
low creature, is in the habit Of leaving email
sums OF money, generally copper, laying about
in her sitting room. After time, she begins
to think that these sums are not always found
exactly as she left them. Suspicion falls up
on the girl, whose duty it is to clean the
room every morning. Her mistress, how
ever, thinks she will be quite convinced be-
fore she brings forward her aecus ton. She
counts the money carefully at night, aud the
next morning some il missing. No one has
been in the room but the girl. her guilt is ev-
ident Well, what does her mistress do p
Why, she turns the girl out OF her house at
an hours notice cannot, in conscience, give
her character; tells all her friends how
dreadfuliy distressed she is; declares there is
nothing bat ingratitude TO be met with among
servants laments over the depravity of hu-
man nature; and never dreams of blaming
herself for hor wicked--yes, it is wicked
thoughtlessncss in thus constantly exposing
to temptation young ignorant girl one most
likely whose mind, If not enveloped in total
darkness, has only an imperfect twilight
knowledge whereby TO distinguish right from
wrong At whose door, ask, continued he.
growing warmer, viii the sin lie, if that girl
sink into the lowest depths of vice and mis-
erye Why, at the door OF her who after pla-
cling temptation in her very path, turned her
into a ptlies- world, deprived Of that which
constituted her only means of obtaining an
honest livelihood her character and that
without one effort to reclaim hor-without
afprding her single opportunity of retriev-
ing the past, and regaining by future good
conduct the confidence of her employer
There is, fear, too much truth in what
you say remarked our benevolent host, who
had hitherto taken no part in the conversa-
zion; and it reminds me Of a circumstance
that occurred in the earlier part of my life,
which, as it may serve to illustrate the sub
ject you have been discussing, | will relate
There was general movement Of attention
for it was well-known fact, that no manu-
facturer in the town of--was surrounded
with so many old and faithful servants as our
friend Stevenson.
In the outset of my business career said
he, Il took into my employment young man
TO fill the situation of under clerk; and, ac-
cording to a rule ] had laid down, whenever
a stranger entered my service, his duties
were OF nature to involve a. little RESPONSE
biity as possible, until sufficient time had
been given to form correct estimate Of bis
character. This young man, whom | shall
call Smith, was OF respectable family. lie
had lost his father, and had mother and sis
tiers in some measure dependent upon him,
After he had been short time in my EN-
ployment, it happened that my confidential
"
ey from the bank for the payment Of wages,
being prevented by an unforeseen circumstance
from attending at the proper time, sent the
sum required by Smith. Ny confidence was
so great in my he d clerk, who had been long
known to me, that was not in the habit of
regularly counting the money when brought
to me but as, on this occasion, it had pass
ed through other hands, thought it was
right to do so. Therefore, calling Smith back
as he was leaving my counting house, desir-
ed him TO wait few minutes, aud proceeded
to ascertain whether this was quite correct.
Great was my surprise and concern on find
ing that there was considerable deficiency.
From whom, said /, did you receive this
money
He replied From Mr.-,' naming my
confidential clerk.
1T is strange said l, looking steadily at
him. But this money is Incorrect, and it is
the fret time have found it So He chang
cd his countenance, and his eye fell before
mine; but he answered with tolerable compos-
ure, that il was as he received IT,
1T is in vain. I replied, ito attempt to i'm
pose upon me, or 70 endeavor to cast suspic-
ion on one whose character for the strictest
honesty and undertaking integrity is so well
established. Now, | am perfectly convinced
that you have taken this money, and that il
il at this moment in your possession and
think the evidence against you would be
thought sufficient to justify me in Immediate
iy Diminishing you from my service. But you
are young man your conduct has I believe
been perfectly correcs, and | am willing to
afford you an opportunity of redeemiug the
past All knowledge of this matter rests be-
tween ourselves. Candidly confess, there
fore, th. error OF which you have been gull
ty; restore what you have so dishonesty
taken; endeavor. by your future good coduct.
to deserve my confidence aud respect, and
this circumstance shall never transpre to in
jure you. The poor fellow was deeply affect
ed. In voice almost inArticulaic with emo
tion.he acknowledge his guilt, and said that,
having seen me frequently receive the money
without counting it, on being entrusted with
IL himself, the idea flashed across his mind
tht be might easily abstract some without in
curing suspicion, or at all events without there
being ,ufhcien, evidence to justify it; that,