Year: 1859

But you stood by and saw them do it Yes sir because I didn't want to com home alone"

 I understand it, Nathan and let me as sure you that the best way to avoid coming home alone is never to go in company of an one who may do that of which you may b ashamed. Just as sure as you continue i this way, and to be seen in that company, jus so sure will you be judged with them. Now am gong to give you bit of information Only yesterday, a gentleman asked me wha Kind of young man that Nathan Wilder was Of course told him you were a goo( youth, and asked him what he meant. H. then informed me that you were with the par ty who tore down Eastman's fence, and dit other things of eqnal shame and sin. He di, not know that you lived in my family, and h' only asked for information, as he had seen yo. often, and supposed you to be fine young man. I hope you will not go out this evening

 "Of course shall not if you do not wsl it."

 But do you wish to go?"

 The youth hesitated. The fact was, he had been anticipating the sport for days, anG ne could not immediately give it up.

 Cooper is going" he said, after some mo ments thought.

 Joseph, do you mean"

 Yes, sir"

 " am sorry for it, then, for Joseph Cooper know is kind, generous. honest youth, and he ought not thus to ruin his reputation. Yon look surprised, but I speak the truth. Nc man, be he ever so pure, can associate long with evil companions without losing his stand ing among respectable people. Why, you are looked upon by some as having had q hand in the mischief of which I have spoken"

 |" But people who know me would know bet ter" uttered Nathan, quite confidently.

 How should they know better? You seek those evil com panons, and are present at their evil work. You know who pulled down Eastman's fence, of course. don't mean to ask you who did it, but I say you know"

 Yes, sir, do."

 " And you, were you asked who did it., would not tell"

 "Of course not. I would not expose a 

 |" So supposed. And now look at it, Lou were in the ccmpany-one of the party the party did certain deeds, and you must bear your share of the blame. But let this pass ' ou know that those young men with whom you would associate are evil disposed /; and you know, too. that if they go over to Mac Wayne's tonight, they will be up to some sort of mischief I think have said enough :o enable you to understand the rest. Now you may spend the evening with Mabel, or you nay go over to the back village, just as you ,hoose"

 Nathan Wilder started as he heard these words but before he could make any reply his master was gone But he was not long left llohe, for in moment more bright eyed ovcly girl, of some nineteen summers, came ripping into the room She was Mr Clark's 'nly child. Long had the youth loved that air girl, and she knew she loved him in return {; put he had not yet had the courage to men, 5ion the subject to his master, for he was only m apprentice now, though few short months would set him free. But strange hope star ted to life in his bosom now. Those last words of her parent, and the peculiar tone in which they were spoken, and the look which accom- panied them meant something

 Are you going out this evening ?" the girl asked.

 Mo-" he promptly answered.

 "Good. l shall have company, for father and mother are both going out to spend the evening""

 Half an hour afterwards, Joseph Cooper called for Nathan to accompany him, but his mission was fruitless. He urged, and urged, put Nathan said "No" 7ise you to follow my plan"

 Cooper at length foand that the youth was n earnest, and, with derisive laugh, he went his way.

 We need not tell how Nathan spent the evening, nor how happy he was. But one thing we will state Very late, after many very meaningless things had been talked about, Nathan arrived at a point where he found courage to ask Mabel if she thought her fa- ther would ever consent to receive him for a son in law.

 "He has spoken to me on the subject" an- swered the maiden, frankly and firmly, "ald he told me that, if you made as good man, morally and socially, as you had thus Gar been a boy and youth, he should be happy to see me your wife,"

 For some moments after that, the youth thought more than he spoke and the glisten- ing tears that stood in his eyes told how deep were his feelings.

 On the following morning, Nathan went early to the shop. happy and buoyant. About an hour afterwards, Joseph Cooper made his appearance, looking sleepy, and with pale face.

 We'll, Joe" said Nathan, "what sort of a timp did von have laSt niglf 2O

 Glorious glorious" cried Cooper. Rum enongh, though, and was fool enough to drink some."

 This last clause was spoken in a changed tone.

 Why, I did not know that you ever drank, said Nathan, with much surprise.

 "I don't like to but had to last night. They hung on so that couldn't get rid of it. "

 An, Joe, you'd better have taken Ey ad-