Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-03-13
A FABLE.
The Doc AND Gator MARTIN AND HARRY.

IHE Doc AND GATOR MARTIN AND HARRY.
There was once farmer with numerous family,
that had cat named MARTIN. This cat was a
little sly creature, always purring about The laps of
the ladies' and rubbing its soft fur against the legs
Of the children. And then it would look up in the
face OF person with such an insinualing smnk,
that most people were inclined TO think tina, Mar.
Tin was migty pleasant cat. The farmer and his
vile were suspicion of the creature, for though he
wore an air Of honesty, rs IL butter would not nell
in his mouth, he seemed little too prelenlious Of
his honesty. With The children, however, Martin
decided favore, for children are apt to pu,
fath in prelences, i'll experience teaches them
better.
The farmer had also dog named HARRY he
was OF Western breed, very sagacious, but very
faithful He was also u favorue OF the family,
tho being kept out of doors, they did not seem to
take much notice Of him. On several occasions he
had done the most important services. Once u
band OF British thieves came around the house, and
would have set in on fire and killed the inhabitants
bu, Harry flew at their llroas ,and drove them OF.
Then again some Indians threatened, the farmer
and gave him great deal Of trouble killing his
sheep and cattle, and burning his cornGelds. But
Harry was always on the alert, and finally the 10.
dams feared him much, that they made peace
with the farmer and never troubled him more. BE.
eides all this, Harry was so dslnlerested poor
bone, Just enough satisfy his hunger was all he
asked. His great pleasure seemed TO he in doing
some good thing for the farmer and his family.
Well, it happened AT length, that some strange
defaications were discovered ia the larder Of the
farmer. Large pieces ofmeat and whole links of
sausages, dishes of cream, and other things were
missing. II came 10 be so bad that the farmer,
who had always had ladder full of things, was
really put TO it 10 get meal of vciuals.
The thing at length became alarming, and it
was thought necessary TO invest gate the matter.
Martin The Cat, who had access TO the Harder, IN
order 10 keep out the rats and The mice, was taken
in there day -but lie looked as innocent
lamb. There was something about his air and
manner which seemed To say, that he knew nothing
more than was TO he expected. At any rate. he
was no, to blame for them. So nothing could be
got on OF him.
Well, the thing went on from time to time, in
this way, and the farmers larder grew leaner.
Finally, he de 'ermIned not 10 take Martins word
for it. but To took into it himself be seen, bur so
that he had full view OF The harder. lie looked
oil around for some time, bu, II, length 'al came
peeping ou' Ola hole, and approached Martin, who
received him most graciously Then came another
and another, and finally here were AZ least dozen
rats, OF the biggest and worst kind. Then Martin
teapPd upon IA shell, where there was a rav-a
kind ola Sub, Treasury nll of sausages. lie seized
three or four links IN his mourn. aud Jumping down
the rats fell upon Them and them greed,ly.-
While the rails were thus Teasing MARTIN went to
dish Of cream aud helped himself
Seeing all tins, the farmer gently opened the
outside door and calling Harry. pointed 10 the lar
der and said stu. 10, slm.bo, Harry dashed into
the midst Of the cabinet, and cleared out all in
second The link INTO their holes and Mar.
Tin leaped Oui OF the window From This period,
Martin ceased TO be trusted with watching the
harder. and Harry became its keeper. Aiier ,ha,
time, no, a sausage slice of mea, was missing
and the farmer and his family concluded that 10 Das
gerry important to hare an honest SerUant to