storm lasted many days, and the Tame Goats, being entirely without food, died of starvation. As soon as the sun shone again, the strangers ran off, and made the best of their way to their native wilds.

"Ungrateful beasts!" cried he, "is this the way you reward him who has served you?"

"How do we know," replied the last of the departing flock, "that you will not forsake your new friends in time of need, even as you forsook your old ones?"

So the Goatherd had to go goatless home, and was well laughed at by all for his folly.

Be true to your own.

THE DOVE AND THE ANT.

An Ant going to a river to drink, fell in, and was carried along in the stream. A Dove pitied her condition, and threw into the river a small twig, by means of which the Ant gained the shore. The Ant afterwards, seeing a man with. a bow aiming at the Dove, stung him in the foot sharply, and made him miss his aim, and so saved the Dove's life.

The grateful heart will always find a way to be of service.

THE MICE IN COUNCIL.

A CERTAIN Cat that lived in a large countryhouse was so vigilant and active that the Mice, finding their numbers grievously thinned, held a council, with closed doors, to consider what they had best do.

Many plans had been started and dismissed, when a young Mouse, rising and catching the eye of the president, said that he had a proposal to make, that he was sure must meet with the approval of all.

"If," said he, "the Cat wore around her neck a little bell, every step she took would make it tinkle; then, ever forewarned of her approach, we should have time to reach our holes. By this simple means we should live in safety, and defy her power."

The speaker resumed his seat with a complacent air, and a murmur of applause arose from the audience.

An old gray Mouse, with a merry twinkle in his eye, now got up, and said that the plan of the last speaker was an admirable one; but he feared it had one drawback. "My young friend has not told us," said he, "who is to put the bell on the Cat."

Counsel to be wise must be practical.

THE MOUNTAIN IN LABOR.

In olden times a mighty rumbling was heard in a Mountain. This lasted a long time, until all the country round about was shaken. The people flocked together, from far and near, to see what would come of the upheaval. After many days of waiting and wise prophesyings from the crowdout came a Mouse.

Do not make much ado about nothing.

THE CREAKING WHEEL.

A Coachman hearing one of the Wheels of his coach make a great noise, and perceiving that it was the worst one of the four, asked how it came to take such a liberty. The Wheel answered that from the beginning of time grumbling had always been the privilege of the weak.

Much smoke, little fire.

THE MOUSE AND THE WEASEL.

A Lean and hungry Mouse once pushed his way, not without some trouble, through a small hole into a corn-crib, and there fed for some time so

busily, that when he would have returned by the same way he entered, he found himself too plump to get through the hole, push as hard as he might.

A Weasel, who had great fun in watching the vain struggles of his fat friend, called to him, and said, "Listen to me, my good Mouse. There is but one way to get out, and that is to wait till you have become as lean as when you first got in."

The remedy is often as bad as the disease.

THE OLD MAN AND HIS SONS.

An Old Man had several Sons, who were always falling out with one another. He had often, but to no purpose, exhorted them to live together in harmony. One day he called them round him, and producing a bundle of sticks, bade them try each in turn to break it across. Each put forth all his strength, but the bundle resisted their efforts. Then, cutting the cord which bound the sticks together, he told his Sons to break them separately. This was done with the greatest ease.

"See, my Sons," exclaimed he, "the power of unity! Bound together by brotherly love, you may defy almost every mortal ill; divided, you will fall a prey to your enemies."

A house divided against itself cannot stand.

THE OLD WOMAN AND HEE MAIDS.

A Cebtain Old Woman had several Maids, whom she used to call to their work every morning at the crowing of the Cock. The Maids, finding it grievous to have their sweet sleep disturbed so early, killed the Cock, thinking when he was quiet they should enjoy their warm beds a little. longer. But the Old Woman, no longer knowing what time it was, woke them up thereafter in the middle of the night.

Beware of falling from bad to worse.

THE DOG IN THE MANGER.

A Dog was lying in a Manger full of hay. An Ox, being hungry, came near and was going to eat of the hay. The Dog, getting up and snarling at him, would not let him touch it.

"Surly creature," said the Ox, "you cannot eat the hay yourself, and yet you will let no one else have any."

Live and let live.

THE CAT AND THE COCK.

A Cat one day caught a Cock, and resolved to make a meal of him. He first asked him, however, what defence he had to make.