Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-09-06
" 4 ErETx

FABLE.-An aged roaring lion who
had relgned several years King of the
quadrupeds and bipeds and crowned
not for any regal qualifications which
he possessed, but TO serve the purpose
OF the wolves, foxes and jackals who
could use the old beast in any way that
might suit best, to put streak of fat
on their ribs.
Alter wearing the crown a consider
able time whether from the fatigues of
government, or that he saw certain
preparations that well bred dog is sup.
posed to understand, he called the Fox
TO him, and addressed him thus s.
am growing old. am in bad health.
| am going to abdlcate the throne and
appoint you my successor. But mind.
You must tread exactly in my footsteps,
or by the Eternal, will soon have
your tail in a trap" The Fox whisk-
ing round his tail, was in high glee.-
&C Stop whisking your tail'' said the
aged monarch, 8 and listen to what |
have to say. have been feared and
revered by all the animals Of the for.
est, particularly the Asses. But there
is one Monster roaming in my domains,
who has given me more trouble than all
the beasts ofthe field. In my walking
hours | have thought of nothing but
him. When sleeping have dreamed
of nothing but the Monster. | com
menced laying traps for him as aeon as
| gained the sceptre. set my wolves,
dogs and jackalls on him. | succeeded
in killing him.
He acouid mol stay killed. Itried eve.
ry experiment to get lid fhm. ] made
HIM carry burdens from one end Of the
country to the other. gave him bad
name said he was lame, and wind.
broken, not safe to be trusted and
drove him from the imperial crib, He
flirted his tail in my face, and said, that
for you
=" then took into favor, large mum.
Der OF smaller monsters which | have
made perfect pets of. have fed them
with pap until they are as sleek as
mole. Taey agree to bark and kick
at the big Monster, and &c al! they can
to Stay him. | farther Ordered my
JackaIs to place elIthe property in their
hands for sale kceping-so that you
and | may divide il a. -oar leiesare.
J had some trouhle with the Frags, but
| showed my teeth, and they gave in."
| nave only ona more thing farther
to say, and that is of more Importance
than all the rest. Go on and kill the
Monster"
This said, the old Lion departed to
his | ir in the western woods. The
Fox, clothed with the imperial purple
called u council of the Wolves and the
Jnckals which he had left behind to de.
wise the best plan to destroy the Mon.
ster. The result of their deliberations
was TO dig a pit in the path they know
the Monster would tread, The work
was completed. The pit was dug
The Monster was caught. But untor-
tunately, all the little pet monsters had
10 travel the same road, and they all
fell pell- nell into the well, with all the
old LIONS plumber on their backs.
Here was elegant pot of chowder.-
The Fox would not touch hair ofthe
old Monsters tail without killing some
of the monsters. The Fox was in a
complete dilemma.
The old Lion has heard of it. He
leaps round and round his den, and
roars like all nature. He swears that
the little nets are n set of fools. and
swindlers, and rascals for daring to fall
INTO the pit. He insists upon ii that the
Fox shall slaughter the whole Of them,
so that he, and the wolves and the Jack
ais may have blow out over their
carcaSses.
MoRAL.-Recollect when you do
bad action to iniure your neighbor, it
is ten to one that il reacts, and falls on
your own head. -Porridgetord Pat.