LXXXII. A FOX STORY. 1. ONE of the most amusing stories I ever heard of animals was lately told by a sober Quaker from New Jersey, who said it was related to him by the eye-witness, himself a member of the same serious, unembellishing sect.EI 2. He was one day in a field near a stream where several geese were swimming. Presently he observed one disappear under the water, with a sudden jerk. While he looked for her to rise again, he saw a fox emerge from the water, and trot off to the woods with the unfortunate goose in his mouth. 3. The fox chanced to go in a direction where it was easy to watch his movements. He carried his burden to a recess' under an overhanging rock; here he scratched away a mass of dry leaves, scooped a hole, hid his treasure within, and covered it up very carefully. 4. Then off he went to the stream again, entered some distance behind the flock of geese, and floated noiselessly along, with merely the tip of his nose visible above the surface. But this time he was not so fortunate in his manoeuvres. The geese, by some accident, took the alarm, and flew away with loud cackling. EI 5. The fox, finding himself defeated, walked off in a direction opposite to the place where his victim was buried. The man went to the place, uncovered the hole, put the goose in his basket, replaced the leaves carefully, and stood patiently at a distance to watch further proceedings. 6. The sly thief was soon seen returning with another fox, that he had apparently invited to dine with him. They trotted along right merrily, swinging their tails, snuffing the air, and smacking their lips in anticipation of a rich repast. 7. When they arrived under the rock, Reynard eagerly scratched away the leaves; but, lo! his dinner had disappeared! He looked at his companion, and plainly saw, by his countenance, that he more than mistrusted whether any goose was ever there, as pretended. 8. His companion evidently considered his friend's hospitality a sham, and himself insulted. His contemptuous expression was more than the mortified fox could bear. Though conscious of generous intentions, he felt that all assurances to that effect would be regarded as lies. 9. Appearances were certainly very much against him. His tail slunk between his legs, and he held his head down, looking sideways, with a sneaking glance, at his disappointed companion. Indignant at what he supposed to be an attempt to get up a character for generosity on false pretences, the offended guest seized his unfortunate host, and cuffed him most unmercifully. 10. Poor Reynard bore the infliction with the utmost patience, and sneaked off, as if conscious that he had received no more than might naturally be expected, under the circumstances. MRS. CHILD. 1. THE childhood and youth of Pierre la Ramee, known in the learned world as Ramus, the celebrated French philosopher, furnish us with fresh proof that genius, in its highest creations, finds persevering industry not merely not inconsistent with it, but its indispensable associate. ΕΙ 2. Pierre was the grandson of a nobleman of Liege, who lost all his property by a desolating war, and withdrew to France, where he was reduced to gain a livelihood by making and selling charcoal, and to bring up his son, Pierre's father, a laborer. Pierre was born in 1515. 3. He was eight years of age, when, clad in a coarse peasant's frock and woollen cap, he entered Paris, and turned his steps towards a street where all the pupils of the different schools or colleges were accustomed to assemble for play at the hours allowed them for recreation. 4. His provincial" garb, and his stare of wonder at the novelties around him, bespoke him to be from the country. This was no sooner perceived by the boys at play than he was seized upon as a fit object to torment; and, thus fallen into their hands, he had to endure" not merely a volley of curious questions and jeers, but also some rough usage. 5. But at last one amongst them, more humane than the rest, perceiving that hunger was legibly imprinted on the poor child's pale and attenuated countenance, gave him some of his bread; and then the little peasant got courage to say, "I have walked very far; I am very tired." 6. With a feeling of shame at their thoughtless cruelty, the boys now made him sit down by them. He was soon cheered and refreshed, and able to answer the questions touching himself and his journey, which his new comrades put to him in a better and more kindly spirit than they had done before. His simple and artless story was told in these words: ΕΙ 7. "I was born in the village of Cuth, now about eight years ago. I lost my father and mother just as I was beginning to walk. As I had no one in the world to take care of me, I was obliged to ask charity from the good people of the country; and I thought myself very well off when I could get enough black bread to satisfy my hunger. Sometimes a bit of cheese, or a raw onion, or a grain of salt, was added, and then I was happy indeed. 8. "When I grew up a little, the neighbors would no longer support me in idleness; so they put into my hand a great long wand," and gave me the charge of a flock of geese. O, it was so tiresome to be driving them every day to the marsh! And then they were so unmanageable, never minding my voice, or even the switch, but straying here and there, so that I could not always succeed in bringing them all home in the evening to the farmer. 9. "Well, one day I became so tired of them, that I resolved to leave the geese to get home as best they could by themselves, threw my wand into the bushes, and set out for Paris. I was obliged to beg on my way, as I had before begged in my native village. 10. "I had the good fortune to meet with a gentleman who allowed me to travel with him, and who must be very learned; for when we stopped at night he taught me the names of all the letters of the alphabet, and even how to put them together to make words. 11. "Now that I am in the great city, I cannot say that I have come into it much richer; but on the road I have acquired the desire for knowledge. This is something; and now may Heaven have mercy on me, and incline the heart of some one amongst you, young gentlemen, to take charge of my education, which has only just begun!" 12. Having wound up his story with this prayer, Pierre offered his services as errand-boy and valet to the young men, and, for his wages, only asked food and instruction. His offer was accepted. But, as his lodging was not included in the bargain, the poor boy had to sleep at night under one of the arches of the city bridge. 13. Under all his disadvantages, he applied himself so earnestly to study, that he soon became well acquainted with Latin and Greek; and one of the professors, happening to find out what he had done, placed him in a situation where he could be more regularly instructed. 14. He rose to be a great and good man. His numerous writings show him to have had extensive learning and rare ability. Few scholars have attained a higher reputation, had more admirers, and consequently excited greater envy, than the celebrated Ramus. He was unjustly killed, in a public massacre, when in the fifty-sixth year of his age. His early struggles suggest the following lines: 15. Let not, O generous youth! thy mind recoil Stay not too fondly in the blooming vale, Heedless of Pleasure's voice, be thine the care While Wisdom waves on high the radiant prize, Mr. Barlow. COME, boys, I have a new play for you. I will be the founder of a colony; and you shall be people of different trades and professions, coming to offer yourselves to go with me.-What are you, Albert? Albert. I am a farmer, sir. Mr. B. Very well! have to depend upon, Farming is the chief thing we so we cannot have too much of it. But you must be a working farmer, not a gentleman farmer. Laborers will be scarce among us, and every man must put his own hand to the plough. There will be woods. to clear, and marshes to drain, and a great deal of stubborn work to do. Albert. I shall be ready to do my part. Mr. B. Well, then, I shall take you willingly, and as many more of your sort as you will bring. You shall have land enough, and tools, and you may fall to work as soon as you please. Who comes next? Bentley. I am a miller, sir. Mr. B. A very useful trade! ground, or it will do us little good. for a mill, my friend? Our corn must be But what will you do Bentley. I suppose we must make one, sir. Mr. B. True; but then we must have a mill-wright. The mill-stones we will take out with us. -Now for the next. Charles. I am a carpenter, sir. We Mr. B. The most necessary man that could offer! shall find you work enough, never fear. There will be houses to build, fences to make, and all sorts of wooden fur |