The mountain Democrat., 1865-01-07
KIND WORDS SAVED HIM.

was not so much as ghost OF smile on
any one Of the faces; but rather austere
reproof. The new passenger flushed a
little at finding so many persons in the
car with whom he had some acquaintance,
and all disposed to let him feel that he
must keep at distance. He sat down
close beside a lady who had recognized
him but she did not address him sin
gle word and rather leaned away from
than toward him.
A pleasant morning. the young man
said to the lady.
Quite pleasant She did not SO much
! rs torn her heal, GG.N6rew herself up
With Sbe aie Of one who felt the remark
as an intrusion.
The young man said no more, but sat
very still, with gradually clouding face,
and severe, almost desperate expression
passed into his tightly closed lips.
Conversation, which had been checked
by his entrance, flowed on again. The
gentlemen and ladies talked checrfuly
together !; but no one addressed word to
the young man, who, it was evident, had
some taint Of bad conduct about him,
WuiNl IOh CIGNlCu u Val WI UClN OtIl illll
and former friends and acquaintanccs.
The car stopped again, and this time a
lady entered. She nodded and smiled to
most Of those who had recognized the
younr man, and then taking seat beside
him, and offering her hand, which he
took, said, in kind interesting voice.
How do you do, Charles?'
The warm blood mounted to the bows
face-hc was only boy, vet, unfortIn-
atcly, with a mans freedom and self con.
tidcnce-as he answered.
Very well, Mrs. Elder, thank you"
Ills eyes filled suddenly with Highland
his rigid lips parted with smile as soft
and gentle as %oman's.
The other passengers who had cut the
young man exchanged surprised Qucs,
tionable glauccs.
You haven't called to see me for some
time, Charles said tie lady How is
this? Old friends must Lot be wholly
set aside for new ones
Il have been neglcctful, and am
ashamed Of it, Mrs E!d,r,' was replied,
and in way that showed the young man
to be Gra'itied by the manner in which
the lady had addressed him; and am
going TO call very soon
How soon:'
This week, sometime
WHY not say tits evening: shall
bc a, home
THIS evening, then, if it will be agree
ALL. Mrs. Elder
That's right. 1t will he pleasant to
see Your face again in my house, Charles
You must not neglect me so again, if |
AN getting to be an ciI woman. >hal.
grow Jealous Of Your younger and more
attractive friends
There is no occasion frr You 10 he ical
ons of any OF my Young lIi'n :. Mrs. FL
der. They can never take your place in
NV hcart-urvtr.
The young man said that with evident
feeling; then adding as he ros
Good morning,l must leave you here
and he made a >'gn for the conductor to
stop the car.
Good m1rui;ig, Charles, said the lady
kindly. giving her hand at the same time.
And don't forget that am at home this
evening
Sudll Ilht itl SCt tiIdi, -hIS' IIANi " Ou
NAV be sure And without even glanc
ing toward the other passengers in the
city railroad car, who hal treated him 50
coldly, he stepped upon the platform, and
thence to the street ~ the bell sound
ed for the ear to move again, a lady turn
Cd to Mrs Elder and said, with a very
grave countCnancc:
Are you not aware how badly that
young man has been conducting himself
of latc!'
Il have hcarl some things about him.
was replied, that caused me great pain.
why, he was seen actually staggering
in the street, no later than last week :
said the lady, in virtuous Indignation.
Poor boy Mrs. Elder spoke in tone
Of deep pity.
And worse than that. He has been
seen in company with persons of notori-
ou>ly viSciouS habits. The fact is. he is
going to ruin as fast as lis feet can carry
/ him
Il hope not. replied Mrs. Elder. lie
NAV have gone aStray from Weakness
poor motherle>s boy not, I'm sure, from
an evil proc,iyitv. And now is the time
to put lorth hand to save him, instead
Of pushing him Off coldIy. Are all with
ont sin-all without some memory Of
straying- that we visit boys first evil
ways in such stern, ,repclling 1i>rleasurc:
Conduct like his spoae up gentle
man, must meet with di>approbation,-
If you smile upon him. and tolerate him
as Of old, he will think his sin light one:
| but il he discovers at once, that he must
live good life or forfeit the approval and
society of the virtuous, be will be made
fully aware at the outset OF the loss or
gain involved. ! think, TO speak freely,
Mrs. Elder, that you do wrong to meet
him in the free, kind way you did, and
invite him to visit you as of Old
DO you think an evening spent with
me likely to make him worse or better 2
asked Mrs. Elder.
No worse, certainly was answered.
Yet he might spend the evening in
company with those who could not fail to
do him good.
Yes
Il want no other argument in favor Of
what have done. 1t is in the quality Of
social life which surrounds a young man
that we must look, in the main, for the
cause Of his elevation or depression. If
because Of a single wrong step-or for
many wrong steps-tPken in the blind
heat of youth, we thrust him out from
virtuous associations, do we not make his
return to the right paths thousand times
more difficult? Depend upon it, wander
ing ones can be reclaimed much easier
than by the stern visitations of penalties,
which they may feel as disproportionAte
to the evil thing done
He can never visit my house as Of old,
said another of the ladies in the car, speak,
-. 80 m ;nJ;rropt ,ooooo, LHhn Ia cf