Year: 1860

that. Had they come and torn down nv
fence, it would not have been half so Grim
inal, morally speaking for Eastman is
poor, and must feel such loss very much"


81 know it was a mean trick, and |
would not join them in it," said Nathan


But you stood by and saw them do
it?'


Yes cir, because didn't want to coms
home alone"


Il understand it, Nathan and let me
assure you that the best way to avoid com
ing nome alone, is never TO go into the
company of any one who may do that of
which you would be ashamed Just as
sure as you continue to be seen in their
company, SO sure will you be judged with
them. Now | am going to give you bit
OF information. Only yesterday a gentle
man asked ne what kind of man that
Nathan Wilder wasp Of course I told
him that you were good youth, and ask
ed him what be meant. He then inform
ed me that you were with the party who
tore down Eastman's fence aud did other
things Of equal shame and sin. lie did
not know that you lived in my family. and
he only asked for information, as be had
seen you often, and supposed yon to be a
fine young man. l hope you will not go
cut this evening"


Of course shall not if you 60 not
wish it,"


But do you wish it 2"


The youth hesitated. The fact was. he
had been anticipating the sport for two
days, AMI he could not Immediately give it
up.


Cooper is going" he said, after some
moments Of thought.


Joseph do you mean 7"


+" ! es sir"


81 am sorry for it then; for Joseph
Cooper is kind, honest, generous youth,
and he ought not thus to ruin his reputa
ton. You look surprised, but | speak the
truth. No man, be he ever SO pure, can
associate long with evil companions with
out losing his standing with respectable
people. Why, you are looked upon BY
some as having had hand in the mix chief
Of which | have spoken"


But people who know me would know
better" uttered Nathan, quite confidently.


"1ow should they know better! You
seek these evil companions. and are pres
ent at their evil work. You know who
pulled down Eastman's fence, OF course
| don't mean to ask you who did it, bat
say you know"


Ies sir, do


And vet were you asked who did il,
you would not tell"


"Of course not would not expose a
companion"


50 ! supposed. And now look st il ;
you were III the company one of the
party-the party did certain deeds, and
you must bear your share Of the blame"
+" But let this pass You know that
these young men with whom you would
associate are evil disposed and you know
too, that if they 90 over to McWayne's
to night, they viii be up to some sort of
mischief | think have said enough to
enable you to understand the rest. Now
you may spend the evening with Mabel, or
you may 90 over to the back village just
as YOU choose"


Nathan Wilder s.srted rs he heard these
words but before he could make any re-
ply, his master was gone. But lie was
not long left alone; for in moment more
a bright eyed, lovely girl of some fifteen
summers came tripping into the room.-
She was Mr.. Clark's only child. Long had
the youth loved the fair girl, and he knew
that she loved him in return; but he had
not yet had the courage to mention the
subject to his master; for he WAS only
an apprentice now, though few short
months would set him free But a strange
hope started to life in his bosom. Those
last words of the parent, and the peculiar
tone IN which they were spoken, and the
look which accompanied them meant
something.


Are you going out this evening"" the
girl asked


NO." he promptly answered.


Good; | shall have company, for IA
ther and mother are going out to night to
spend the evening"


Half an hour afterwards, Joseph Cooper
called for Nathan to accompany ihsm, but
his mission was fTuitlsss. He urged, and
urged, but Nathan said MOP


- .AOAA WI vOd 7SNSi SoOtSi'


Never again OIL any such scrapsS, and
| advise you to follow my plan"


Cooper at length found the youth was
in earnest, and with a derislye 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 meaningless things had been talked
about, Nathan arrived at point where be
found courage to ask Mabel if she thought
her father would ever consent to receive
him for son in-law.


" He has spoken me on the subject" an
swered The maiden frankly and firmly, "aad
he told me if you made as good man
morally, as you had thus far boy and
youth. he should be very happy to see me
your wife"


For some moments after that, the youth
thought more than be spoke, and the
glistening tears that stood in ais eyes, told
how deep we're his feelings.


On the following morning, Nathan wen:
early to the shop, happy and buoyaDt.-
A kat,t hnt,~ aftarrarIS Ioxsnn ('ooror