The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-10-08
THE FIRST OFFENCE.


lEN4-Eh JNollNE- " IL II MEikN
In the cheerful dining-room of my bache-
Tor friend Stevenson, a select party was as
sembled to celebrate his birthday 4 very
animated discussion had been carried on for
some time as to whether the first deviation
from integrity should be treated with sereri-
ty or leniency. Various were the opinions
and numerous the arguments brought for
ward to support them. The majority ap-
peared to lean to the side of ''Crush all Of
fences in the bud" when a warm hearted
old gentleman exclaimed:
depend upon it, more young people are
lost to society from a first offence being
treated with injudiciOuS severity than from
the contrary extreme. Not that | would
pass over even the slightest deviation from
integrity, either in word or deed-that would
certainly be mistaken kindness ; but on the
other hand, neither would punish with Sc
verify an offence committed perhaps under
the influence of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES too,
that we ourselves may have thoughtlessly
placed in the way, in such manner as to
render it irresistible. For instance a lady
hires a servant; the girl has hitherto borne a
good character, but it is her first place her
honesty has never yet been put to the test
Her mistress, without thinking of the con-
tinual temptations to which she is exposing
a fellow creature, is in the habit of leaving
small sums of money, generally coppers, Iy-
ing about in her usual sitting-room. After a
while she begins to think that these sums are
not always found exactly as she left them.
Suspicion falls on the girl, whose duty it is tC
clean the room every morning Her mistress,
however, thinks she will be quite convinced
before she brings forward her accusation.
She counts the money carefully at night, and
the next morning some is missing No one
has been in the room but the girl her guilt
is evident. Well, what does her mistress do
Why, she turns the girl out of the house al
an hours notice cannot, in conscience, give
her a character tells ali her friends how
dreadfully distressed she is declares there
Is nothing but ingratitude to be met with
among servants iaments over the deprayity
, of human nature and never dreams of blam
ing herself for her wicked-yes, it is wicked
-thoughtlessness in thus constantly expos
ing to temptation young ignorant girl ore
most likely, whose mind, if not enveloped il
total darkness, has only an imperfect tMi
light knowledge, whereby to distinguish
right from wrong ''At whose door, ask, q
continued he, growing warmer, "will the sill
lie, if that girl sinks into the lowest depths o
vice and misery? Why. at the door of hei
who, after placing temptation in her very
path, turned her into the pitiless world, de
pIived of that which constituted her onl,
means of obtaining her honest livelihood
her character; and that without one effor
| to reclaim her, without affording a single op
/ pOrtunity of retrieving the past and regain
ing by future good conduct the confidence o
her employer"
/ There is, | fear, too much in what yol
/ say" remarked our benevolent host, who hat
/ hitherto taken no part in the conversation
''and it reminds me of a circumstance tina
occurred in the earlier part of my life. which
as it may serve to Illustrate the subject yor
| have been discussing, will relate" Their
was general movement of attention for
was well-known fact that no manufacture
in the town was surrounded with so man
old and faithful servants as our friend Stew
enson,
''In the outset of my business career, sal
he, Il took into my employment youn
man to fill the situation of under-clerk an
according to a rule which | had laid dowr
whenever a stranger entered my service, hi
duties were of nature to involve as littl
responsibility ds possible, until sufficer
time had elapsed to form correct estimat
of his character This young man, whom
shall call Smith, was of a respectable famil,
He had lost his father, and had mother an
sister in some way dependent upon hin
After he had been short time in my emplo,
ment it happened that my confidential clerl
whose duty it was to receive the money froI
the bank for the payment of wages. bein
prevented by an unfortunate circumstanc
from attending at the proper time, sent til
sum required by Smith. My confidence wa
so great in my head clerk, who had been Ion
known to me, that l was not in the habit ,
regularly counting the money when brougl
to me but as on one occasion it had passe
through other hands thought it right to d
so. Therefore calling Smith back as he wa
leaving my counting house, desired him {
wait few minutes, and proceeded to asce
tain whether it was quite correct. Gre;
was my surprise and concern ON finding tn.
there was considerably deficiency
"'From whom, said /, did you recei'
this money -
Gle replied, From Mr.. , namiF
my confidential clerk
"It is strange said /, looking steadily
him. But this money is incorrect, and it
the first time that | have found it So. j
changed countenaBce and his eye fell 5efo
mine; but he answered with tolerabe Coz
posure that it was as he had received it.
. - in vain, ! replied, . a.,CLsp.