The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-12-08
Golden Days-l

But few young people perhaps have ever
realized the full meaning and importance OF
the small word that heads this article, and
vet, how many men, yes, and women, too,
who are now far advanced in their LIES
journey, can look back and see that much
of their experience, both of good and i'll,
can be traced to the influence arising from
its utterancel
Alasl there are men now pining in prison
cells-some OF them doomed to execution
who can recall tue words, after interval
| of months or years-the fatal words, heard
for the first time: ''Come, let's have
"a drink" or "Come, to-morrow's Sum-
day; let's have a spree down the river, y
and they recall them in bitter anguish of
mind.
1t is only too true, by the confession of
criminals, that the beginning of many
ruined lives dates from the first time of &C
cepting the invitation to do wrong.
Two lads of fourteen came from their
country homes, to be placed in stores, about
the same time They were not brothers,
but very warm friends. Neither of them
had known any special temptation in their
| quiet homes, aud they were not prepared
| for the great conflicts that lie in the city
| had in store for them
In the case of both, tender mothers babe
Them farewell, urging them to watchful-
ness and prayer lest they should be led
astray.
On the first Sunday ut their boarding
house, where there were several young men
besides themselves, they put on their Sunday
clothes, and were about setting out to go to
church, as they had been accustomed to
bling.
Just as they left their room. two other
lads were coming out Of their chamber, and
recognizing these new boarders. paused t.
speak to them. They probably meant to be
friendly, In their way.
'sGoing out1" said one of them.
"Yes,p replied Henry; Eve thought we'd
hunt ups some church this morning. though
we don't know the streets yet very WELL"
sob, mol come with US" said one of the
other boys. we are going out to the green
field, where we can lie on the grass and do
just as we please. We have real fun out
there. Gomez
Henry thanked the lad for his invitation,
Mt declined it entirely, at the same time
loving quickly toward the stairs.
But Fred, looking pleased, listened at
bntively to all that was said, and when
Henry, half way down the stairs, called to
him: Come, Fred; you'll be latei" his
answer was:
Don't wait for me, Harry. 1 think I'll
go with these fellows, and see what the
place is like"
"GOOd by, then" said Henry, gravely
ard rather you had gone with me. Per.
haps you'll change your mind yet"
4 Henry found church without any diff
fculty, and as it was not late. there was
plenty of time for him TO accept the kind
attentions of gentleman who was standing
in the vestibule, for the purpose, apparently
of giving strangers welcome to the houl
God.
This gentleman replied courteously to
enry's inquiries about a seat, and then
sked him one or two friendly questions
opcernIng bis coming to the city, board
ftng-place, etc. just before the last bell
stopped, he said:
"Come to my house on Wednesday even
ing, and yeu will meet few lads like your
self, who always spend that evening with
me socially. They are members IF my BIZ
bIe-class. and think a great deal of them
all. You wib come, will you rot2" and he
took Henry's hand in his own with q
Ifriendly pressure. st the same time handing
In his card with his name and place of
esidence.
Thank you STRIP replied Henry. Il will
come with pleasure, certainly. | am quite
without friends In the city, and it seems
little lonely. after leaving my pleasant home
in the country"
Fred was BY this time riding in street.
car to the eutskirts of the town with the two
lads who had invited him. After leaving
the car they walked some distance to their
destination, where there was small way
side tavern, Is well as the "green fields
1t is not necessary 10 dwell on all tho
falsely-called "pleasures' Of that day. They
we're Of q sort to which Fred had never been
accustomed, and perhaps their novelty at
tracted him. M
On reaching his room late in the even
ng where Henry was seated with book in
- hand. trying to resd-thsugh too un.
mfortabls about his friend 10 make any
,rogress-Fred threw himself on his bed
With out one word, and was soon in heavy
siumber.