little ones? my

said the

"But do know you Owl. "If you do not, I fear it will go hard with them when you find them."

"No, I have never seen them," replied the Eagle.

"The greater your loss," said the Owl; "they are the sweetest, prettiest things in the world. Such dear eyes! such charming plumage! such winning little ways! You'll know them, now, from my description."

A short time after, the Eagle found the little Owls in a hollow tree. "These hideous, staring frights, at any rate, cannot be neighbor Owl's fine brood," said he; "so I may make away with them without the least misgiving." So saying he made a meal of them.

The Owl, finding her young ones gone, loaded the Eagle with reproaches.

"Nay," answered the Eagle, "blame yourself rather than me. If you paint with such flattering colors, it is not my fault if I do not recognize your portraits."

Love should not blind truth.

THE CLOWNS AND THE PIG.

On the occasion of some festivities that were given by a Eoman nobleman, a certain droll Clown

caused much laughter by his tricks upon the stage, and, more than all, by his imitation of the squeaking of a Pig. It seemed to the hearers so real, that they called for it again and again. One Man, however, in the audience, thought the imitation was not perfect; and he made his way to the stage, and said that if he were permitted, he tomorrow would enter the lists, and squeak against the Clown for a wager. The mob, anticipating great fun, shouted their consent, and accordingly, when the next day came, the two rival Jokers were in their place.

The hero of the previous day went first, and the hearers, more pleased than ever, fairly roared with delight. Then came the turn of the other, who having a Pig carefully concealed under his cloak, so that no one would have suspected its existence, vigorously pinched its ear with his thumb-nail, and made it squeak with a vengeance.

"Not half as good not half as good!" cried the audience, and many among them even began to hiss.

"Pine judges you!" replied the Man, drawing the Pig from under his cloak, and showing it to them. "Behold the performer that you con

demn !"

A prejudiced jury is hard to convince.

THE HARE AND THE DOG.

The

A Dog once gave a long chase to a Hare. Dog having not long since made a good meal, was not at all hungry, and in consequence in no hurry to put an end to the sport. He would at times, as they ran, snap at the Hare, and at others lick him with his tongue.

Pray," cried the persecuted and bewildered Hare, are you a friend or an enemy?

66

If a

friend, why do you bite me so? and if an enemy, why caress me?"

Open enmity is better than doubtful friendship.

THE OLD LION.

A Lion, worn out with age, lay drawing his last breath, and several of the Beasts who had formerly been sufferers by him came and revenged themselves. The Boar, with his powerful tusks, ripped his flank; and the Bull gored his sides with his horns. The Ass, too, seeing there was no danger, came up and threw his heels into the Lion's face. "Alas!" groaned the dying tyrant, "how much worse than a thousand deaths it is to be spurned by so base a creature."

Respect earns respect.

THE CAT AND THE SPARROWS.

A Great friendship once existed between a Sparrow and a Cat, to whom, when quite a kitten, the Bird had been given. When they were playing together, the bold Sparrow would often fly into little mimic rages, and peck the Cat with his bill, while Pussy would beat him off with only half-opened claws; and though this sport would often wax warm, there was never real anger between them.

It happened, however, that the Bird made the acquaintance of another Sparrow, and being both of them saucy fellows, they soon fell out and quarrelled in earnest. The little friend of the Cat, in these fights, generally fared the worst; and one day he came trembling all over with passion, and besought the Cat to avenge his wrongs for him.

Pussy thereupon pounced on the offending stranger, and speedily crunched him up and swallowed him.

"I had no idea before that Sparrows were so nice," said the Cat to herself, for her blood was now stirred; and as quick as thought her little playmate was seized and sent to join his

enemy.

Trouble is more easily started than stopped.

of

TWO TRAVELLERS OF DIFFERING

HUMORS.

There were two Men together upon a journey, very different humors. One went despondingly on, with a thousand cares and troubles in his head, exclaiming every now and then, "Whatever shall I do to live!" The other jogged merrily along, determined to keep a good heart, to do his best, and leave the issue to Fortune.

"How can you be so merry?'

99 said the Sorrowful plodder. "As I am a sinner, my heart is ready to break, for fear I should want bread."

"Tut, Man!" said the other, "there's enough bread and to spare for all of us.

Presently the Grumbler had another heavy thought which made him groan aloud.

"What a dreadful thing it would be if I were struck blind!" said he, and he must needs walk on ahead with his eyes shut, to try how it would seem if that misfortune should befall him.

His Fellow-traveller, coming after him, picked up a purse of gold which the other, having his eyes shut, had not perceived; and thus was he punished for his mistrust, for the purse had been his, if he had not first willingly put it out of his power to see it.

Fortune helps those who help themselves.