University of Virginia Library

THE FEAR OF RIDICULE.

One evening a short time since, five or six young
men, clerks in one of our fashionable stores, were congregated
together before the entrance of a noted oyster
saloon. They seemed on the point of entering,
when one of their number hung back, declaring that
he would not go in.

“What's the matter, Thompson?” exclaimed the
others, “what's the matter with you? why don't you
come?”

“Because I think it wrong, answered the young
man, “to visit such places; it is against my principles
to do it.”

“A fig for your principles,” exclaimed one. “Why

I thought better of you. I didn't suppose, when you
first came among us, that you would evince so little
real spirit.”

“I did not think you would urge me to visit such a
place as this,” answered Thompson. “What would
our employers think of us, were they to see us here
now?”

“Who cares for them?” said another. “Let our
employers mind their business, and we'll mind ours.
It is none of their concern how or where we spend
our evenings.”

“I think it is; and I am not willing to put my reputation
at stake by being seen in such a place.”

“Why, Thompson, I didn't think you so chicken-hearted,”
exclaimed the other. “Only hear him, boys.
He's afraid to go in and eat a few oysters with us.”

“Ho! ho! ho! a parson verily—in our new clerk,”
exclaimed the others,” laughing scornfully.

“Won't you preach us a sermon, Sir Clergyman?
Come I'll give you a text;” and a dozen similar
squibs of ridicule were showered upon him, and
Thompson's resolution began to waver.

“Come, come, Thompson,” at last said one, who
professed to be his friend, “don't be a fool. Here
we've invited you to sup with us; and now if you
refuse, I tell you as a friend that your popularity will
be at an end with us. Your credit won't be worth a
rush at the store, I can tell you. Come along with us,
man; you'll feel better for a frolic now and then.”

The united influence of ridicule and persuasion
were too much for Thompson's “principles”—he

yielded to the temptation, and entered the saloon with
them.

They were soon seated around a table loaded with
a luxurious repast. But having gained the first point,
their next was to entice him to drink. This was not
so easy. Thompson had been carefully educated,
and he was for a long time proof against their solicitations
to partake of the wine-cup; but ridicule at last
prevailed again, and he yielded as he had done before.
The party broke up at a late hour, and all of the young
men were more or less affected by wine. Poor
Thompson went to his room with feelings which it
would be difficult to describe.

“I could not bear their ridicule,” he said to himself
as he lay his aching head upon his pillow.

Having yielded to his companions in two important
instances, through fear of ridicule, he found it a hopeless
task for him to endeavour to contend against their
continually renewed solicitations to indulge in dissipation;
and if his awakened conscience aroused him
occasionally to a partial sense of his danger, and he
faltered at participating in some scene of dissipation
more bold than at first, the lash of ridicule was applied
to him without stint, by his companions, and he would
offer no resistance.

He found it true that the line of prudence once
passed, it was hard indeed to turn back; and he was
hurried along at last, step by step, in the full career
towards the shipwreck of his fair fame, and his hopes
of future peace.

Good principles amount to nothing without strength

of mind and energy to abide by them. And most
surely do the youth find this to be true, who are in
cities exposed to numberless temptations, and without
the protecting influences of home. Be careful then,
voung men, and watch yourselves narrowly, that no
improper tastes or dispositions take root in your mind,
and lure you from the path of duty. It is a safe and
pleasant path to pursue, and its end is honour and peace
—but once deviated from, it will be found no easy
road to regain.