I am able to illustrate this subject by an incident which occurred in my own experience within the last two months.  I must tell the story in my own simple way, and as it is entirely truthful, I hope salutary impressions may be made in every quarter where they are needed, and where this article shall be read.

Having occasion for the services of a mechanic in relation to a certain piece of work, I called upon one in my neighborhood, then in the employment of a gentleman, and was informed, on stating my object, that as he should be through with his present engagement on the evening of a certain day, he would commence my work on the following morning.  The specified time arrived, but the man did not appear.  I waited two or three days, in hourly expectation of his appearance, but was doomed to disappointment.  At length, I again called upon him and found him still in the employment of the gentleman aforenamed.  On inquiring the reason of his delay, I was informed that on completing his former engagement the gentleman had concluded to have more done than he originally intended, and insisted upon the continuance of the mechanic in his service until his work was entirely finished.

I said to him, “But did you not agree with me for a specified day?”

“Yes.”

“Did not your engagement with Mr. ——­ terminate on the evening previous to that day?”

“Yes.”

“Were you under obligation to that gentleman beyond that time?”

“No.”

“Did not your continuance with him involve a violation of your promise to me?”

“Yes.”

“Was not this wrong? and how are you able to justify your conduct?”

“Sir,” said he, “you do not understand the matter.  I am to blame, but my employer is still more to blame.  Look at it.  I am a mechanic and a poor man.  I am dependent on my labor for the support of myself and family.  This gentleman is rich, and gives me a great deal of employment; I do not like to disoblige him, and, sir, when I told him, on the termination of my engagement to him, that I had promised to enter upon a piece of work for you, he would not release me.  He claimed that I was in good faith bound to work for him till his various jobs were done.”

“And did you think so, my friend?”

“No,” he replied, “I did not; but he told me that if I did not stay he would give me no further employment.”

“And so,” said I, “you violated your conscience, wronged your own soul, disappointed me, and all for the sake of obliging a man who was willing that you should suffer in point of conscience and reputation, if his selfish purposes might be answered.”

“I am sensible,” said he, “that I did wrong, but what course shall we pursue, who are dependent upon our daily labor, for our support?”