Who Are Your Associates?


ALLEN WINFIELD lived next door to the

school-house. So he used to work until a

quarter before nine every morning, and then

expeditiously changed his working garb for a

neat school suit.

"I wouldn't be digging away so there

every morning," said Hugh Rogers, as he

lounged over the garden fence about eight

o'clock. "I am going over to school to have

some fun."

"The teacher doesn't like to have us come

much before school time," said Allen; " and

I take more pleasure in seeing these things

come on so well in the garden, than in a game

of ball; though I like that well enough, too."

"Well, you have a curious taste," said the

lounger, as he sauntered on to join a company

of like-minded lads, who thought play the

main business of life.

Mother was sure to call Allen the moment

he desired.

"Don't be late, Allen," she said, glancing

at the clock, which said it was one minute of

nine.

"Never fear, mother," said the lad, fastening

the last button of his jacket; "the

teacher just passed. I will be there as soon

as he." And giving his mother a hasty good

bye kiss, he bounded down the steps, and in

another minute was in his seat at school.

Allen's companions were quickly seen, let

him be where he would. They were always

the best boys and the best scholars in school,

no matter whether they wore broadcloth or

homespun. A noble-hearted mother had

taught him from childhood that character, not

clothes, was the standard by which to measure

people. Nowhere more than at school is

the old adage true about "birds of a feather."

At recess you would see Allen one of a knot

of boys who were talking intelligently about

lessons, or other matters of improvement, or

joining heartily in bracing, manly sports.

Hugh, just as regularly, gravitated toward

a very different circle. They were the tricky

boys, those who always, “Kept the teacher on

the alert,” nipping in the bud their plans of

mischief, or correcting them for misdemeanors.

They get little profit out of their excellent

advantages for obtaining an education.

Now, cannot any one easily fancy the future 

history of these two boys? One, sinking;

lower and lower, led on by evil associates into

rounds of dissipation, beginning at the-drinking

saloon; and the other, rising to a noble.

prosperous manhood, to take the responsible

 position of honor in society.

"He that walketh with wise men shall be

wise." A young man's whole future life depends

largely upon the associates he chooses,





Young People's Helper*