Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-07-15
Elm Tree Hall;
OR DO NOT MEDpLE WITH WHAT DOES
NOT BELONG TO YOU.

About twenty years ago there lived n
singular old gentleman in the Hall n
n,ong the Elm Trees. lie Was abou,
three score ycnrs Of age, very reh, and
some what odd Ia his habits; but Tor gen
erosiiy and bencvolcnce he had no e.
quail. No poor cottage stood in need of
comforts which he WAS not ready TO sup
ply; no sick man or woman languished
for want OF his assistance; nor even a
beggar, unless u known impostor, wen,
Empty handed from the hall.
Now it happened that the old gentle
man wanted boy to AIT on him AT la.
bile, aud TO attend him IN different ways,
for he was very fond Of young people
But ns much as he liked the society ol
The young he had IA great aversion to that
curiosity 10 which too many people are
too apt to indulge. lie used to say,
'The boy tha, viii peep into drawer
will be tempted Ia take something out Of
il; and he who will steal penny in his
youth, will steal pound IN his manhood. ,
This disposition to repress evil, rs well
as to encourage good conduct, formed
part OF his character, for though OF
cheerful temper, and not given TO sever
ity, he would Io' pass over fault Till IT
was acknowledged or repentcd of.
No sooner was IL known that he was
in want OF servant, than twenty ap-
pIicalions were made for the situations; but
he determined not 10 engage any till he
had IN sone way ascertaIncd that he did
not possess curious, pying dispo.lIion.
1t was Monday morning that seven
lads dressed in their Sunday clothes,
with bright and happy faces, made ihew
appearance at the Hall, each of them
d"sirous 10 obtain the situation they APP
piled for. Now, the old gentleman, be-
ing Of singular disposition, had prepar-
ed room IN such way thai he might
easily know if any Of the young people
who applied 10 be his servant, were II
ven to meddlc unnc ce ssarily with things
around them, or to peep into cupboards
and drawers. lie took care that the
lads who were then at Elm Tree Hall,
should be shown into his room one alter
another.
At first James Turner was sent into
the room, and told that he would have
10 wait little; SO james sat down on a
chaIr near the door. For some time he
was very quiet, and looked about him;
but there seemed TO he so many curious
things ~ the room, that at last he got OBJ
10 peep NJ them. On The table was
placed u dlsh-cuver, and James wanted
sadly 10 know what was under il, but he
iclt afraid To lilt It up. But habits are
strong things, aud james was Of a curl
ous disposiiioD. hc could not withstand
the temptation ol taking one peep; so he
lifted up The cover. This turned out to
be- a sad ALTAR; for under the dish cover
was n heap Of light feathers; part Of the
feathers. drawn up by the current Of air,
flcw around the room, and james in his
fright, putting down the cover hastily
pulled the rest OF ihen oT the table. -
What was to be done ! james began
quickly /" pick up the feathers, one by
ore; but the old gentleman, who was inl
the adjoining ioom, hearing a sculIlc.
and guessing The cause, rntercd the
io"m to the cOnsieinaiIun " James Tr- |
ncr, Who sas very suon dismissed a. n
boy who had moi principle enough TO re-.
-I-t even the slig b,rsi temptation
When ib, ro,m was once more arrnn |
yed, Thomas llawk.r vas placed there