The Shasta courier., 1866-02-17
COURIER.
Kind Words Saved Him.
BY T. S. ARTHUR.

The car stopped and the young man en-
tered. He did not look to be over twenty
years of age. Chances were exchanged u
tween three or four gentlemen and ladies,
from each of whom the young man received
a very cold nod. There was not SO much as
the ghost of smile on any one of their fa-
ces; but rather austere reproof The new
passenger flushed 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 rec
ognized him 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
as turn her head, but drew herself up with
the air of one who felt the remark an intru-
sion.
The young man said no more, but sat very
still, with gradually clouding face, ard a
severe, almost desperate expression passed
into his tightly compressed lips.
Conversation which had been checked by
his entrance flowed on again. The gentle
men and ladies talked cheerfully together
but no one addressed remark to the young
man, who, it was evident, had some taint of
bad conduct about him, which now became
barrier between him and former friends
| and acquaintance.
The car stopped again, and this time a
lady passenger entered. She nodded and
smiled to most of those who had recognized
the young man, and then, taking seat be
side him, and Offering her hand, which he
took, said,
How do you do, Charles?"
The warm blood mounted to the boys
face-he was only boy, yet, unfortunately,
with mans freedom and self confidence
as he answered.
Very well, Mrs. Elder, thank you ~
His eyes filled suddenly with light, and
his rigid lips parted with smile as soft and
gentle as woman's.
The other passengers who had cut" the
young man, exchanged surprised questiona-
BILE glances.
"You haven't called to see me for some
time, Charles" said the lady. % How is it ?
Old friends must not be wholly set aside for
new Ones"
81 have been neglectful, and am asham.
ed of it, Mrs. Elder" was the reply, and in
a way that showed the young man to be
gratifed by the manner in which the lady
had addressed him +" and I'm going to call
very soon."
9 How soon ?''
s. This week, sometime"
"Why not say this evening? 1 shall be
at home."
This evening, then, if it will be agreea-
BILE. Mrs. Elder
That's right. 1t will be pleasant for
me to see your face again in my house,
Charles. You must not neglect me so again,
if am getting to be an old woman. | shall
grow. jealous of your younger and more at
tractive friends"
There is no occasion for you to be ieal-
GUS of any of my young friends, Mrs. Elder.
They can never take your place in my heart
never"
The young man said this with evident
feeling; then adding, as he arose
"Good morning. must leave you here :"
and he made sign for the conductor to stop
the car.
"Good morning, Charles" said the lady,
kindly, giving her hand at the same time
g And don't forget that l am at home this
evening"
shall not forget that, Mrs. Elder, you
may be sure" And without even glancng
toward the other passengers in the city rail
road car, who had treated him so coldIy, he
stepped upon the platform and thence to the
street. AS the bell sounded for the car to
move on again, lady turned to Mrs. Elder
and said, with very grave countenance-
Are you aware how badly that young
man has been conducting himself of late ?"
i have heard some things about him.
was the reply, |" that cuused me 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 notorious
vicious habits. The fact is, be is going to
ruin as fast as his feet can carry him.
i" hope not" replied Mrs. Elder He
may have gone astray from weakness-poor
motherless boy not, I'm sure, from an evil
proclivity And now is the time to put forth
hand to save him, instead of pushing him
off coldly. Are all without sin-all without
some sad memory of straying-that we visit
boys first evil ways in such stern, repell-
ing displeasure ?"
"Conduct like his" spoke up gentle
man, "must meet with disapprobation. II
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 lead a
good life, or forfeit the approval and society
of the virtuous, he will be made fully aware
at the onset 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
DID,
DO you think an evening spent with me
likely to make him worse or better" asked
Mrs. Elder.
No worse, certainly" was answered.
"Yet he might spend the evening in COM
pany with those who could not fail to do him
worse"
Eyes"
''I want no other argument in favor ol
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
causes of his elevation or depression. If, be
cause of single wrong step-or for many