“It makes me real sad to see how that boy has changed, within ten years,” continued Miss Lee.
“He was once a pretty, modest, gentle boy, and used to be quite a favorite of mine. Now, the coarse features of vice are settling upon his face, and he is said to be a very bad boy.”
“He swears like everything,” remarked Oscar.
“So I have heard,” added Aunt Fanny.
“Henry swears some, too,” continued Oscar, alluding to a brother of Sam, about thirteen years old.
“Ah, I am sorry to hear that,” said his aunt. “But it isn’t very strange, after all, with such an example before him. A boy of Sam’s age exerts a great influence on his young brothers and sisters. The little children look up to the large ones with a sort of fear and respect, and copy their ways, and imitate their example, right or wrong. Did you ever think how much influence of this kind you may be exerting?”
“I don’t know that I ever thought much about it,” replied Oscar.
“Here are three children in the family,” continued his aunt, “younger than you. The fact that you are older and have seen more of the world than they, while you are still a boy, gives you quite an influence over their minds. You can increase or diminish that influence, according to the manner in which you treat them; but you can’t wholly divest yourself of it. You must exert an influence over them, good or ill, in spite of yourself, and when you are not thinking of it. I saw an illustration of this, a few days ago. Otis and Ronald noticed that you had a star pricked into your hand, and what did they do but prick stars into theirs, as soon as they could get the materials!”
“Oh yes, I noticed that,” said Oscar, laughing.
“That was a trifling thing,” resumed Aunt Fanny, “but it illustrates a great truth. It shows how you are watched, and copied, and it ought to put you on your guard. You can use this influence so as to assist us in training the children to good habits, or, if you choose, you can do just the opposite. You see there is quite a responsibility resting upon you. If they see that you are studious, industrious and faithful, they will feel an influence drawing them in the same direction; but if you exhibit any bad trait, it would not be strange if they should try to pattern after it.”