Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-03-03
LUKE wHARTON's LESSON.
4 SKETCH FOR EVERYBODY.

think he would sell himself cheap,
said Luke Wharton, and he spoke very warm.
/ ly.
What do you mean2'' asked Rosanna
his wife.
mean just what say. He would sell
himself for money aud | believe he would
sell his best friend too
OF whom do you speak, my son ~ asked
his mother, looking up from her work, and
raising her spectacles.
q l am speaking of Mr.. Simmons" replied
Luke
But what have you against him ?" the
old lady resumed.
| have nothing against him was only
speaking Of him just as thought"
" But do you not know that we should not
always tell just what We think, my son? 1t
is not safe"
81 believe it is always safe to tell the
truth, no matter where it hits returned
Luke
Then it would be proper for me to 90 out
aud tell the things | hear you and your wife
say, and all that | see you do, no matter what
may be their eharacter?'
-Ah---hut tuhA NputA D- iAlllllA pun
the sacredness of the domestic circle said
the young man.
" So it would" continued his mother ;
" and this shows you that there must be ex-
ception TO your rule. The domestic circle is
no more sacred than is mans character
When you must speak, then speak the truth,
and fear not the consequences but be care
ful when you speak. | know you are very
careless, at times in your manner Of speak
ing Of others, and | am sorry it is 80. Now
answer me this Would you want Mr.. SIM
mons to know what you said about him p
" | shouldn't care replied Luke and he
spoke hesitatingly.
" Yes you would care continued the old
lady You know that he is man of much
influence in this place, and that he has never
wronged you in any way or shape. And
your estimation Of his character is only form
ed from what others have said. Now answer
me truly Would you wish that some third
party should 60 and whisper into his ear the
scandal you have spoken Of him ?"
" Well don't know as | should but
there's no danger"
" All, my son, you don't know how much
danger there may be. am afraid you are
as free in speaking to others as you are in
speaking to us. Have you not spoken to Mr..
Simmons thus 2"
Luke was obliged to admit that he had !;
but still claimed there was no danger, and
that he had a right so to speak
" You have no right to speak against your
noighbor,' said Mrs. Wharton. " And more
than this, it is not safe. You will find as
you advance in the world, that you will have
difficulties enough to contend with without
making enemies needlessly. If you would
prosper and move along through life with
honor and respect, let one of your first cares
be TO see that you speak no evil of your neigh
Dor. Speak i'll of no man when duty does
not absolutely call upon you to do SO. You
will find it by far the safest course"
Luke Wharton was young man just mar
ried, and was clerk in retail store. He
meant to be honorable and truthful, but he
had contracted that habit which 50 many
have foolishly contracted, of speaking very
foolishly and thoughtlessly Of his neighbors.
In the present case, Mr.. Simmons worthy
and respected citizen had made movement
for retrenchment in the expenses Of the town.
Luke's employer had been in the habit of
furnishing certain articles to the town, and
under the new system his bill was likely to
fall below the amount he had received in
former years. So he thought Mr. Simmons
had meddled too much in town affairs, and
Luke took up the strain and piped freely
upon it, lie knew nothing Of the causes
which had led Mr.. Simmons course-he
only knew that that gentleman's character
was before the public and he went into it,
But this was not the only case. A man who
can speak reeklessly of one individual will
speak in the same manner of others and a
man who can thus thoughtessy speak at one
time is likely so to speak at any time.
Luke Wharton had been for some time
anxious to 60 into business on his own ac-
count, and the opportunity at length present
ed itself; or, at all events, he saw good
chance to make arrangements to that end
His old employer, who had done business
enough, was willing to sell out. He told
Luke if he could find partner who would
pay cash down for half Of the store, aud its
good will, the other half might remain for
several years on a mortgage. So Luke cast
about him, and was not long in finding the
man he sought Thomas Lyon, young man
of neighboring town, was ready to enter
into such partnership, and he considered
that the thorough knowledge of the business,
and the intimate acquaintance with the GUS
toners which Luke would bring to him,
woald offset the interest he might have to
pay for the money he would be obliged to
hire.
1t was all arranged and Luke Wharton was
happy. Thomas Lyon would raise the four
thousand dollars necessary to be paid down,
and he would soon be in position where he