The Cat and the Mouse.—A mouse, ranging about a brewery, happening to fall into one of the vats, was in imminent danger of drowning, and called to a cat to take him out. “It is a foolish request,” replied the cat; “for, as soon as I get you, I shall eat you.” The mouse piteously replied that that fate would be better than to be drowned in beer. The cat lifted him out; but the fumes of the beer caused pussy to sneeze, and the mouse took refuge in his hole. The cat called upon mousey to come out: “You rascal, did you not promise I should eat you?” “Ah!” replied mousey, “but you know I was in liquor at the time.”
Fable of the Humming-bird and Butterfly.—A humming-bird once met a butterfly, and, being pleased with the beauty of its person and the glory of its wings, made an offer of perpetual friendship.
“I cannot think of it,” was the reply, “as you once spurned at me, and called me a crawling dolt!”
“Impossible!” exclaimed the humming-bird. “I always entertained the highest respect for such beautiful creatures as you.”
“Perhaps you do now,” said the other; “but, when you insulted me, I was a caterpillar. So let me give you this piece of advice: Never insult the humble, as they may one day become your superiors.”
Some time since, some men took twenty-one geese from a farm-yard in Kent, England, belonging to a Mr. White. A gander, which belonged to the flock, was left behind, with a bag tied round its neck, containing twenty-one pence, and the following poetic excuse written on a slip of paper:
“Dear Mister White,