Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1867-06-21
TOLEDO, TAMA COUNTY, IOWA, FRIDAY, JUNE 2L 1867.
PLAIN WORDS WITH THE BIG
BOYS
BY REV. ALFRED TAYLOR.

There used to be an old gentleman in bust.
ness here who, though wealthy, and at the
head of well-established house, had an ugly
habit which caused him TO be generally des-
pissed. Like all the bad habits that ever fas-
ten themselves on people, it had evidently
attached itself to him when he was boy, and
had grown up with him. In going into any
body's counting house on business, this old
gentleman wonld cast his eyes about him to
see what Information he could pick up In
stead Of standing at the counter he would
edge up to the desk and look over the top to
see if there were any letters lying open that
he could read. II he came to receive check
he would furtively glance over the margin Of
your check-bo while yoa drew the check for
him, 80 that he might see the names and
amount Of other checks which you had entered
there. His particular delight seemed TO be to
pry over an open account book. By long
practice he had accustomed himself to read
upside-down as well as in the ordinary way,
SO that ifyou were careless enough to leave
your books or papers exposed on your desk,
they were sure to become the victims Of his
investigating disposition while he would
stand quietly waiting and as quietly crafty
ing his curiosity at your expense.
The amount of information which this old
fellow picked up in this way in the course Of
q long business career must have been stu>
pendous. A sly glance may often have given
him information which he could have acquired
in no other way. A few moments spent in
caves dropping, where other men were talk.
ing on what did not concern him, may have
afforded valuable suggestions for the day :
operation. A peep at half opened telegram
may have Furnished hints which served as a
basis for profitable purchase Of stocks and
merchandise. But with all this old person s
inlastrious searching for know ledge, with all
his wealth and success in business, and his
finding out all about other peoples. the name
of sold Sneak so firmly cemented itself to
him that it became part of him, in the esti.
ma ton of all who knew him. Men " ho deal,
with him would often close books which were
lying on their desks and cover letters and
papers which were exposed when he entered
their doors.
There are few boys whc would like to grow
up with such character for prying and
sneaking as this old man had. Rut the re al
many boys who, while they are not habitual
meddlers in other mems affairs, do not hesi-
tate surrsptitiously to acquire information
which is none Of their business.
Here is lad who has been to the post office
for letters. He brings half dozen or dozen
to his employer. What is contained in those
letters is none Of the boys business; nor does
it concern him who wrote them, what are the
places and dates postmarked on them, wheth'
er they contain Enclosures or not, or whether
the handwriting is that of regular correspon-
dents or of somebody who has not been heard
from before. All these things are his EN-,
ployer's business, and not his ;and the boy OF
man who will tumble over letter intrusted
to him, hold it up to the light to see if it con-
tains an inclosure, or to try to discover the
style Of the handwriting, or who will study
the post mark carefully to obtain from it in
formation which he would be afraid to ash
for openly, is but step removed in perfdiou'
criminaity from the sly rascal who break!
the seal Of the letter, or the bolder yillaiI
who actually robs the mail.
A lad in lawyers Office in this city was il
the habit of opening letters which were in
trusted to him to deliver whenever he found
the gummed envelope sufficiently moist, from
its freshness, 70 enable him to do so. Th'
lawyer had reason to suspect him and one
day set trap for him. He gave him let.
ter with instructions to carry it to a neigh
boring lawyer and wait for an answer. The
lad started off with the letter but presently
came back looking very blank indeed, and
confusedly stammering out about: "Did you
want me to deliver that letter?' The ques.
tion and confusion revealed the fact that the
youthful sinner, having found the gum Sc
moist that he could easily open the envelope
sealing it again, and had found to his dismay
that the letter read, "Please giue the bearer q
good thrashiny T. Had he retained his self
possession on making this discovery, he nigh,
have left the letter as directed aud hurried
away without the answer but his sin found
him out and his confusion overcamc him, AND
guilty and ahashed he returned to his employ.
er and received severe reprimand and a
dismissel. It is more then probable that his
lSing habits never gained him any informa'
IN worth having. 1t is certain they los
him very good situation.
A prying sneak is no gentleman. He viii
sacrifice the interests Of his best friend (
crafty his desire for procuring knowledge Of
that which is none of his business; and III
who will stoop to this will stoop to any NEAR
trick no matter how low or contemptable.-
lie may acquire ON expertness in such things
which will make him good burgler or pick
pocket, or even . detective policeman. II,
may reach such degree Of skilfulness as I
be sent abroad to listen at the key>holes 0
the door Of foreign ministers, to catch an'
report so much As he can steal Of their privat
conversation. But, as he stoops to thes
things, be puts himself IN position to re
ceive from society the moral kicks which hi
unprincipled conduct deserves.
Boys remember that no body respects on
who is continually prying into other people
affairs, who IS sneakiug and prying aud nos
ing into what does not concern him. lie u
known a. mean fellow, and though he may