The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-02
LUKE VHlRTOI'S LESSON,
A SKETCH FOR EVERYBODY.

said Luke Wharton, and he spoke very
warmly.
"What do you idean p asked Rosanria,
his wife. .'"
"I mean just what say. He would
sell himself fof tioney, and l 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.
81 am speaking of Mr.. Simmons" re-
piled Luke
"But what have you against him ?" the
old lady resumed.
"Tve got nothing against him. 1 was
only speaking of him just as 1 thought.
"But do you not know that we should
not always tell just what we think, my
SOM 1t is not safe." sfas
II believe it is always safe to tell the
truth, no matter where it hits" returned
Luke.
"Then it would be proper for me to 60
out and tell all the things hear you and
your wife say, and all that see you do,
no matter what may be their character p
"Ah-but that would be infringing
upon the sacredness of the domestic cir
cle," said the young man.
$50 1t WOULD" continued the mother
"and this shows you that there must be
exceptions 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 conse-
quence; but be careful when you speak,
and how you speak. l know you are
very careless, at times, in your manner OF
speaking of Others, and am sorry it is
so. Now answer me this: Would you
want Mr.. Simmons to know what you
said about him ?"
II shouldn't care" replied Luke, and
Ne spoke hesitatingly. s} s.
"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 wrdnged you in any way or
shape. And your estiination of his char
acter is only forfhed 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 which you have spoken of him p
"Well-I don't know as / should; but
there's no danger"
"Ah, 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 against Mr.. Simmons thus p
Luke was obliged to admit that he
had; but still claimed there was no dan
ger, and that he had right so to speak.
"YOu have no right to speak against
your neighbor; 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 de
so. You will find it by far the safes
course" aEft asa aa&
Luke Wharton was young man Just
married, and was clerk in retail store
He meant to be honorable and truthful
but he had contracted that habit which Sc
many have foolishly contracted, of speak
ing very foolishly and thoughtlessly o.
his neighbors. In the present case, Mr.
Simmons,a worthy and respected citizen
had made movement for retrenchmen
in the expenses of the town. Luke.
employer had been in the habit of fur
nishing certain articles to the town, ani
under the new system his bill was likely
to fall below the amount he had received
in former years. So he thought Mr.. Sim
mons had meddled too much in town af
fairs, and Luke took up the strain ant
piped freely upon it. He knew nothing
Of the causes which had led Mr.. Sim
mons course-he only knew that gentle
mans character was before the public
and he went into it. But this was no
the only case. A man who can speal
recklessly of one individual will speal
in the same manner of others and ,
man who can thus thoughtlessly speal
at one time, is likely to so speak at any
time. .sf
Luke Wharton had been for some time
anxious to 60 into some business on hi!
own account, and the opportunity a
length presented itself; or, at all events
he saw a good chance to make arrange
ments to that end. His old employer
who had done business enough, was vii
ling to sell out. He told Luke if h,
could find partner who would pay casl
down for half of the store, and its goot
will, the other half might remain fo1
several years on mortgage. So Lux
cast about him, and was not long finding
the man he sought. Thomas Lyon, !
young man of neighboring town, wal
ready to enter into. such a partnership
and he considered that the thorough
knowledge of the business, and the init
mate acquaintance with the customer
which Luke would bring to him, woult
Offset the interest he might have to pa.
for the money he would be obliged t.
hire. a.s . mrs Il.
1t was all arranged, and Luke Whar
ton was happy. Thomas Lyon woul'
raise the four thousand dollars necessar,
to be paid down, and he would soon b
in position where he could not onl
enjoy the honor and satisfaction of Goin,
business for himself, but where he knev
he could lay up money. And hewa tn
4 more satisfied because another party ha'
been talking Of purchasing the store. !.
81 wouldn't trust him as far as I coul'
throw fat hog by the tail, up hill!' a.
serted Luke Wharton. He spoke Of MI
Samuel Lovejoy, man who lived in
distant part of the town, and who wa
the individual that had some talk of pul
chasing the store. oi sraaJ.. rI.fg.sz
"What do you mean by thatIi aske
! Mrs, Wharton l. jasisHi ,sbso1 >
4 Il mean just what ! say" returne
Luke. II wouldn't trust him an inch.
1 J"But what do you know against hin
my soni?pno ssag ga1g. 1A "a ~ -
| II know enough. He would hay
hos1rbt ra,r ctnrof If ho could ard