t of it; and he who will steal a penny in his youth will
steal a pound in his manhood."

4. No sooner was it known that the old gentleman was in want of a boy than
twenty applications were made for the situation; but he determined not to
engage anyone until he had in some way ascertained that he did not possess
a curious, prying disposition.

5. On Monday morning seven lads, dressed in their Sunday clothes, with
bright and happy faces, made their appearance at the Hall, each of them
desiring to obtain the situation. Now the old gentleman, being of a
singular disposition had prepared a room in such a way that he might
easily know if any of the young people who applied were given to meddle
unnecessarily with things around them, or to peep into cupboards and
drawers. He took care that the lads who were then at Elm Tree Hall should
be shown into this room one after another.

6. And first, Charles Brown was sent into the room, and told that he would
have to wait a little. So Charles sat down on a chair near the door. For
some time he was very quiet, and looked about him; but there seemed to be
so many curious things in the room that at last he got up to peep at
them.

7. On the table was placed a dish cover, and Charles wanted sadly to know
what was under it, but he felt afraid of lifting it up. Bad habits are
strong things; and, as Charles was of a curious disposition, he could not
withstand the temptation of taking one peep. So he lifted up the cover.

8. This turned out to be a sad affair; for under the dish cover was a heap
of very light feathers; part of the feathers, drawn up by a current of
air, flew about the room, and Charles, in his fright, putting the cover
down hastily, puffed the rest of them off the table.

9. What was to be done? Charles began to pick up the feathers one by one;
but the old gentleman, who was in an adjoining room, hearing a scuffle,
and guessing the cause of it, entered the room, to the consternation of
Charles Brown, who was very soon dismissed as a boy who had not principle
enough to resist even a slight temptation.

10. When the room was once more arranged, Henry Wilkins was placed there
until such time as he should be sent for. No sooner was he left to himself
than his attention was attracted by a plate of fine, ripe cherries. Now
Henry was uncommonly fond of cherries, and he thought it would be
impossible to miss one cherry among so many. He looked and longed, and
longed and looked