The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-04-07

A TALE WITH A MORAL.

.lne We md the following excelieni sketcn, /
written by Alfred Crowquill. Our limits
will not permit US to give the long and less
interesting introduction; but will simply |
say, that a moderately wealthy, but very
happy and contented. country gentleman
has gathered his family and friends around
a bright and rudy FIRE on Christmas Eve,
and, in accordance with his long establish
ed custom. relates the following story:
"You all know the sheep sheds in our
lower croft, by Windy Gap, (said he.)-l
Before l built those sheds, when it first
came into my possession, ! had often en-
dezyored TO reclaim it; but after many vain
attempts ] gave the obstinate bit up in
despair, and put il to its present use. Its
a desolate looking nook. and in its appear
ance carries out to a miracle the scenes Of
happiness enacted upon its site.
William Mawby was born there, OF
parents well to do in the world, with every
thing about their farm in thriving state.
As q mere child, be was of peevish, soil
tsry nature. This l have heard from good
authority: for l only became acquainted
with him as | entered my first school, and
be was Just on the point Of leaving it,
Consequently, when | returned home for
good to my parents roof he was a grown
man, and | mere STRIPPING. As so short
a distance divided his fathers farm from
ours, | soon fell over him, and renewed
our acquaintance. His occupation was a
loreshadowing of his miserable character:
he was diligently inspecting hedge that
divided close from the main road. He
thought he had discovered evident traces
of some one having passed into the field
through the said hedge.
laughed at bis wise and serious face.
drawn into look Of profound wisdom for
so trifing an occasion.
My young friend, said be, men are
ruined by trihes. II is not the broken hedge
| value; but ] suspect the trespssser passed
through tina: gap upon some unlawful pur-
pose; but I'll be even with them now my
suspicious are aroused
With that he tapped the side of his nose,
and went on bis way most susPiciously un-
comfortable.
The next day, to the amusement of the
village, large board appeared staring over
the hedge, with the announcement Of all
sorts Of penalties and spnng-guns TO the
unwary trespassers. His old father was a
merry hearted. plain old man, who never put
himself under the infection Of doubts; for
he believed that men were all pretty con-
sideEably honest, as the world went, and he
had not the slightest idea that he was better
than anybody else; consequently. he smoked
his pipe in calm contentment, and let the
world wag.
His Suspicious SON soon disturbed bis
blissful equanimity; for, much to his an
noysnce, he found padlocks placed upon
things thar had hitherto been open to all.
His neighbof had to wait for his glass OF
ale while be found his son, and his son
found the key; for he, the contriver, was
not always sure where he had hidden it.
Poor Williams principal torment was
his suspicious Of bis own father. His lynx
eyes soon fathomed the soft, easy temper of
his parent, and saw thousand ways where
in his disposition might be turned TO account
by the cunning dealers on market days.
when the ale was uppermost at their simple
friendly dinners, in which the old man de-
lighted, and which il would have been diff
cult to wean him from-as, although yield
ing good-natured, he was too tough and in.
dependent TO be dictated 10 by anybody
Another painful thorn in his side was an
aged aunt, to whom the old man looks
well-stoted weekly BASKET. She lived on
a small stipend in the market town. She
had two daughters. The old man often
took his SOLDERING cup Of tea with them on
his return. He might leave them some.
thing comfortable. The thought was tor
menting.
bis suspicious carried him every market
day TO dodge his father, with the show Of the
most sincere affection; which the unsus.
picious old man, with his heart glad, re-
ported TO his plain simple dame, who rejoic-
ed with him over their imagined treasure.
He was at this time about sight-and-
twenty, and, dodge as he would, he could
not escape pair Of bright eyes and rosy
cheeks that caught him in the before-men-
toned market town on one Of his suspicious
visils.
He soon scraped an acquaintance, after
having by great assiduity found out that her
father was retired miller, OF good fortune,
and that she was an only child. He thought
this safe investment. His position and
soon gained him permission to
continue his visits which were. in fact con-
tinual, for he was always under the appre. |
hension that when the cat is away the mice
will play. and that some other might snap
up bis valuable mouse. He did not feel |
quite assured as to the old mans positive
50 he made il his business in /
thousand tortuous ways TO make inquiries.
This could not 20 on 50 quietly, but il at
sst reached the old miller's ears, who good
put it down to the young mans
prudent foresight bot, or inquiry, he dis
severed that il proceeded from doubt oil
Ms respectsbility and veracity. The miller
was a shrewd old man. and determined. |
before il was TOO laie. to find out whether
he young sutton might not be wanting in
'ome Of the qualities he thought necessary
OF the girlis happiness. i