Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-10-13
KEEP THE STAFF IN YOUR OWN HANDS,
IS AN INSTRUCTIVE STORY.

81 AN lNSIRUCTlVE SIOh1.
There was living at Harlem, an old man who re-
lated the following story Of himself He was pos
sessed of good farm with servants and everything
necessary for his business, and had but one child
son, who, having married, it was agreed that the
young couple should live IN the house with the pa
rent, as he was widower. Things went exceed
ingly well for some time, when the proposed to
the parent that he should make over to him his es
tate promising to build new house and other wise
improve the farm THE father. through persuastion,
gave him deed of gift of it, and everything be-
longing to it.
little fretul and dissatisfied while the son. think.
ing that he had nothing more to expect from him,
forgot his lial duty and used his father than
he did his servants. The old man was no longer
permitted to eat at the table with his and wife,
but compelled to take his meals in the chimney
corner, and he was continually otherwise ill-used
by them. The old man ate his victuals daily from
a wooden bowl, which his son made for him. His
grandson saw his father make the bowl, and set
about making just such another.
Being asked by his father what he made it for,
he answered, 'for you to eat out of when you grow
as old as grandfather"
Although this ought to have turned his heart,
and made him reflect that as he had dealt by his
father, he might expect to be dealt with by his
children when he grew old, still it had no effect with
him, and the usage was carried to snch an extent,
that the old man could no longer bear it, but left
his, declaring that if his friend could not help him
to get his farm back again, he should be obliged to
come and live with him.
His friend answered that he might come and live
with him, and if he would follow his directions. he
would help him to get his estate again. Take
this bag of dollars carry it into your room, at your
sons, shut it up well in your chest, and about the
time they will call you down to dinner, shut your
door and have all your dollars spread on the table
in the middle of the room. When they call you
make noise with them by sweeping them into the
bag again"
The bait took Immediately. The wife peeped
through the key hole and saw the dollars spread
out the table, and told it to her husband. When
the old man came down they insisted on his sitting
at the table with Them and treated him with un-
common respect.
The old man related to his friend what he had
done, who gave him directions what to do if his son
asked the money from him.
After few days, the son discovered the old man
very busiy engaged in counting out his money, and
at.the next meal time asked what money it was that
he had been counting.
"Only some money had received for the dis.
charge Of one Of the bonds had standing out
expect more in q few days. and I fear l shall be
obliged to take Mr.. Ms farm, upon which
have mortage, as he is not able to raise the mon
ey, and if the farm is sold it will not fetch as much
as will discharge the mortage"
After few days the son told the father he in.
tended to build house on the farm, and would be
glad if the father would let him have the money.
Eyes, child, all that have is coming to you
intend giving you the bond and mortgages l have,
but then think it will be best to put it altogether
in a deed of gift. l will get neighbor u
to call here and get a new one"
Accordingly his friend and cousin, who had de-
vissed the scheme, came to the house, when the
gave up the old deed that another might be drawn
from it. When the old man got the deed in his
hand, he broke of the seal and committed the wri
ting to the fire, saying:
Burn cursed instrument of my folly and my
misery land you, my dutiful children, and this es-
tate is all my own again. you must remove immedi-
ately, unless you be content to become my tenants
have learned by sad experience, that it is best for
parent to hold the stuff under his o~n ARMAND
that one father better maintain ten children
than ten children can one father"