Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-04-23
The Home Circle.
Ruined at Home.

begins.
"At home!" We hear the response in
tones Of paiucd surprise or indignant denial
from many voices at is hard saying
and cruell"
at is not true can point you to a
dozen cases within my own range Of OBJ.
servatiUn to disprove the assertion to
young men who have gone astray in spite
Of the careful training and good example Of
religious homes--in spite Of all the best of
mothers aud wisest Of fathers could do"
Yes; We hear such things said every
day; but feel certain there is an error
somewhere defect in your observation.
Were you 10 the homes Of these young men
from the beginning2 Were you familiar
with their early training2 Did you OBJ
serve the personal bearing Of their parents
toward them-know their walk and conver-
sation2 If nay, then you are not compo-
tent, with your instances, to disprove our
assertion.
A small error at the beginuingof series
Of calculations in applied mechanics, may
lead to a great disaster; the slightest va
ration from a right line at the beginning
will throw a projectie hundreds OF yards
away from its object. It is the little things
at home the almost unnoted departures
from order and good government the
neglecis arising from parental sell-indul-
gence; the weakness Of love that fails to nip
q fault in the bud and many other things
that might be instanced, which turn the
young feet into ways Of life that, as the
years 60 by, lead farther and farther from
safety and happiness.
The Bible, experience and reason, all de-
clare that the future Of child depends
upon his early training If this is bad,
the chances are nearly all against him.
But" we hear it said, children rails
cd under the worst Of influences often make
good and useful men,
The cases are exceptional, and stand out
in strong contrast with the rule. Aud so
we 60 back to what was declared in the
beginning, that the ruin Of soul often
begins at home. How many instances
crowd upon the memory Let US take a
few at this time for their lesson aud their
warning.
Not long ago, in one Of our principal
cities, an almost broken.h hearted mother
parted from her son in the courthouse, and
was taken fainting to her home, while he
was thrust into n van and conveyed to pri.
son. His crime was stealing. Society
held up its hands in pity aud amazemeut
for the young mans father aud mother were
highly respectable people, aud good church
members, as the saying is The father.
business reputation stood high People
said Of him His word is as good as hi,
bond" Aud yet his son was a condemn
ed thief. He had stolen from his EN-
ployer.
Did the ruin 10 this case begin at home
Yes. 1t was at home that the son Learned
to be dishonest and he learned it from
his mother Let US rehearse few Of the
lessons in precept and example, that wer,
given to the boy. We begin when he wa
just FIVE years Of age. lie was standing
near his mother one day, we will call bel
Mrs. Omdorff, aud the boy Karl--wher
we heard her say u Bis aunt in tone o
satisfaction Barker has cheated himself
Here are four yards of ribbon instead o
three. | asked for three yards and pait
for only three but this measures full fou
yards"
The boy listened, and waited for wha
was to come next He loved bis mother
and trusted in her
"What are you going to do about p
inquired the aunt
"keep it Of course" answered Mrs. On
dorf, "Baker will never be the wiser II,
makes enough out of US, dear knows" Anc
she rolled the ribbon about her fingers.
Karl was little surprised. 1t did no
seem like his mother; nor in agreemen
with what she had often said to him abou
truth and honesty. But he had faith il
her, aud was sure that she could do nothing
wrong. His aunt Ruth, of whom he wa
very fond, and who had great influence owe
him, was weak woman in some respects
and much more inclined to take the curren
of others opinions, than to give herself th
trouble Of opposition. Her innate sense O
honor was little disturbed at her sister
view Of the case but she failed to say th
right words that were in her thoughts, an'
which, if spoken, might have helped the bo,
to see what was just and right
\ day or two afterward, Karl heard hi
mother say 81 saved a car ticket thi
morning"
GLOW ?" inquired her sister
The conductor forgot to ask for it"
why didntyou give it to him, mamma ?
asked Karl.
at was his business to look after hi
passengers" replied Mrs. 0mdorft, VIII
felt rather uncomfortable at this questio
from her little boy. at will teach him
lesson
Karl thought moment, aud then said
But be won't know anything about it,
"Oh, you're too sharp" !" exclaimed tb
mother, with laugh. IL wasn't talkin
to you anyhow"
Little pitchers have big ears" sal
Aunt Ruth, echoing her sisters laugh.
And so the matter was pushed asid,
neither mother nor aunt imagining tn
/ bright and beautiful boy they both loved s
tenderly had received lesson in dishonest
not soon TO bo forgotten.
"l do believe" said Mrs. Omdorf, nc
long afterward, as she sat counting owe
some money" that Poole has given me th
wrong change"
Karl was in the room aud heard her re
mark.
"Let me see" she added, going over tn
money again. 1.-TWO and half, four an
half four and three quarters. It's
fact; gave him ten dollar bill, and her
are four and three quarters change"
! "What did the goods amount to ?" aske
her sister.
There were eleven yards of muslin q
, eighteen. That's dollar and ninety-eigt
cents. Two yards of silk at a dollar and
half, and an eighth Of a yard of velvet, on
| dollar--making just five dollars and ninety
| eight cents. If it had come to SIX dollar
my right change would have been fou
But he has given me four and three qua
ters.
Then in tone Of satisfaction she added
r 'Im that much richer, you see, Ruth"
! Her sister smiled. but did not utter II
I disapprova that was in her heart. Ka
I listened and took it all in. A little viii
: aiterward Mrs Omdorf got up and ran
G the bell, saying as she did SO, with shor
g gurging laugh that seemed ashamed Of i
self III guess we'll have little ice crea
at Poole's exnense