"When Willy was eighteen--he was then reading law--I think I never
saw a young man of fairer promise. As I have often heard it
remarked of him, he did not appear to have a single fault. But he
had a dangerous gift--rare conversational powers, united with
great urbanity of manner. Every one who made his acquaintance
became charmed with his society; and he soon found himself
surrounded by a circle of young men, some of whom were not the
best companions he might have chosen. Still, his own pure
instincts and honorable principles were his safeguard; and I never
have believed that any social allurements would have drawn him
away from the right path, if this accursed tavern had not been
opened by Slade."

"There was a tavern here before the 'Sickle and Sheaf' was
opened?" said I.

"Oh, yes. But it was badly kept, and the bar-room visitors were of
the lowest class. No respectable young man in Cedarville would
have been seen there. It offered no temptations to one moving in
Willy's circle. But the opening of the 'Sickle and Sheaf' formed a
new era. Judge Hammond--himself not the purest man in the world,
I'm afraid--gave his countenance to the establishment, and talked
of Simon Slade as an enterprising man who ought to be encouraged.
Judge Lyman and other men of position in Cedarville followed his
bad example; and the bar-room of the 'Sickle and Sheaf' was at
once voted respectable. At all times of the day and evening you
could see the flower of our young men going in and out, sitting in
front of the bar-room, or talking hand-and-glove with the
landlord, who, from a worthy miller, regarded as well enough in
his place, was suddenly elevated into a man of importance, whom