friend but his own.
There is no such neutral character. A bad man corrupts or offends
all within reach of his example, just as a good man benefits or
instructs all within the sphere of his influence. And there is no
time when we can say that this transmitted good and evil will end. A
wicked man may be punished for sins he never committed himself, if
he has been the cause of sin in others, as surely as a saint will be
rewarded for more good deeds than he himself has done, even for the
virtues and good actions of all those who are made better by his
instruction, his example, or his writings."

Michaelmas-day was at hand. The landlord declared he would be put
off no longer, but would seize for rent if it was not paid him on
that day, as well as for a considerable sum due to him for leather.
Brown at last began to be frightened. He applied to Stock to be
bound for him. This, Stock flatly refused. Brown now began to dread
the horrors of a jail, and really seemed so very contrite, and made
so many vows and promises of amendment, that at length Stock was
prevailed on, together with two or three of Brown's other friends,
to advance each a small sum of money to quiet the landlord. Brown
promising to make over to them every part of his stock, and to be
guided in future by their advice, declaring that he would turn over
a new leaf, and follow Mr. Stock's example, as well as his direction
in every thing.

Stock's good nature was at length wrought upon, and he raised the
money. The truth is, he did not know the worst, nor how deeply Brown
was involved. Brown joyfully set out on the very quarter-day to a
town at some distance, to carry his landlord this money, raised by
the imprudent kindness of his friend. At his departure Stock put him
in mind of the old story of Smiler and the Merry Andrew, and he
promised to his own head that he would not even call at a public
house till he had paid the money.

He was as good as his word. He very triumphantly passed by several.
He stopped a little under the window of one where the sounds of
merriment and loud laughter caught his ear. At another he heard the
enticing notes of a fiddle and the light heels of the merry dancers.
Here his heart had well-nigh failed him, but the dread of a jail on
the one hand, and what he feared almost as much, Mr. Stock's anger
on the other, spurred him on; and he valued himself not a little at
having got the better of this temptation. He felt quite happy when