Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-08-23

u
to make himself particularly agreeable for each had
favor to ask ;snnd they talked so much that Hora-
ito thought he had swarm of bees in his ears
After he had yawned three times in the face Of
each of his visitors, and promised all they asked,
they went away.
Z" wish to heaven somebody would call one of
these times to give something; instead of beg
gng fayors, as they all do; there would be some
variety in that"
lie rung for his slippers, but the sound of his
belly was drowned by violent ring at the ou.er
door. The porter announced stranger.
Tell him to call to morrow-lm Just going to
bed"
He says he has most urgent business, and must
see you to- night, sir"
"Despatches from abroad, suppose; show him
in"
The bearer>of DISPATCHES entered, and afler
looking cautiously around, seeing that all the doors
were shut, and that nobody was under the sofa,
hemmed three times, and began.
81 beg pardon, sir, for this untimely visit but
trust you will excuse me when you know the ur-
gency Of the occasion; | came, sir, to give YOU"
"lleaven be p,aised," thought Iloratio, "here is
man that has GOT something 10 give the at last"
took the liberty, sir, as a devoted friend to
your administration, to call and give you some ad-
vice about the course proper TO be pursued in order
to defeat plot of the opposition, of which have
just been contidenally apprized"
"Sir," said Horatio 81 feel under infinite obi.
cations may | ask what it ~
The adviser took till three in the morning to fin
lsh his communication and advice. Before he had
ended Horatio was two thirds asleep, but he walked
IN tine to express his gratitude, and promised to
bear in mind this signal proof Of regard, in calling
SO late at night out OF pure good will.
Day alter day passed i'll these perpetual inter-
ruptions. Horatio had not moment to spare eth
err for ease or exercise, and was tired to death.
81 wish to heaven" said he, 81 was q private
man with nothing to do but just what | pleased
All! MIR. Mirvan, am glad to see you. 1t is de-
lghttul thing to receive visit from one who wants
nothing"
Mirvan was an old friend of Horato, rather
eccentric person. Some people thought him wise,
others fool, for he seemed content with what he
had, and what he was, though he was neither rich
nor in power. lie was kind hearted man. though
he had not the reputation of it for he was apt to
make jest of what other people thought very Sc
rious mlsiortunes, and seemed to take little inter-
est in what we call the ups and downs of life,
After the first friendly salutations, Miryan assum-
ed the privilege of age and intimacy, and inquired
how he liked his new situation.
"You neither look so well nor seem in such good
spirits 40 when used to see you in your office
drawing pleas and declarations"
Horatio unbosomed himselfto his old friend lie
detailed to him the progress of his wishes from boy
hood upward-from the time he wished he was free
from the abors and confinement of school, ill he
realized them all, step by step, and became great
man, since when he had done little else than wish
himself school boy again.
sit is the history of mankind" said Mirvan, af-
ter listening attentlvey; and of all living things
believe if there be any truth in the fable"
"What fabe?" asked Horato.
81 will tell you," replied the old man, his eye
lighting up with arch intelligence: " will you prom
Use TO listen %
crowded you neither ask favor nor give ad-
vice." said the other. 81 have had enough of both
lately"
agreed. Once upon a time certain atom
which shared portion of that spirit ofintelligence
which animates or at least i'll those days did AMI
mate all nature, being trod upon by little insect
that has never been of sufficient consequence to be
christened in English or Latin exclaimed against
his hard fate in being thus at the mercy of every
creeping thing.
If were but an insect" cried he and the
spirit Of discomfort possessed him from that mo-
ment. go, Jupiter Ammon, Jupiter Ammon," he
repeated, woudst thou but change me into an in
sect, if it were but rs big as that which lust now
insulted me, could then get out Of the way Of
danger"
"Juplter, whom nothing escaped, laughed ready
TO die at hearing this request which he granted in
fit Of good huuor. The little atom was as proud
as IA peacock and strutted about with great dignity
until it CHANGED that he encountered an ant, which
walked over him without ceremony, either acct
dentally or by design.
so, Jupiter Ammon!" exclaimed the little in.
sect without name, "what thing it is to be SC
small that nobody can see you Would were ar
ant, and then nobody would dare to insult me-"
"Again Jupiter laughed and granted his request
The little ant stru,ted about, who but he proudel
than ever, and fiattered himself he was somebody
sit is worth while to live thus with the eyes o.
the universe upol us" cried he, when just at that
| inst aptn rran DART cd n him md ha
y escaped by running into his hole.
"Body O me-" exclaimed he, painting with rage
and fear; body o me! what misery it is to BE-
nothing but an ant. If were only u wasp now
should be somebody. o, Jupiter Ammon, would
were wasp"
"Jupitcr as usual, granted his prayer, for he be
gan to be highly amused with his little atom.
"The wasp irlsked with his great tail and ad
mired his little waist just like fashionable fin,
lady, until one day, not minding what he about
he got entangled in large spider-web, where III
! remained struggling while the spider sat rcmbln,
with eagerness, waiting till he should exhaust him
} self by his efforts to pounce upon him. At lengt
supposing the moment arrived, he darted towar
him, just he made last desperate effort and es
capped the tolls
Truly pleasant sort of life this,' quoth tn
wasp, to be forever in danger of being caugh
and eaten up by spiders. o, Jupiter Ammon, if
: could only be beautiful speckled spider~ and
spider lie became from that moment.
, Mercy upon us what big creature was he an
what havoc he made among the wasps and file.
; till great moth, laundering his way in the twilight
bolted right through his fine web, as big round as
7 cart-wheel, dotted with imprisoned flies, and nc
only carried all away, but put the spiders life
jeopardy.
A Fire and furyr' exclaimed he, "here is
months provisions and an ages toll all swept ava
J in a moment O, Jupiter Ammon make me
great moth, beseech thee" No SOONER said tina
D done, and moth was he.
} Nothing was ever 50 happy as our new mad
] moth. lie flew from flower to flower, tasted thei
!, sweets, gamboled whthersoeyer he pleased ii
D one night seeing candle in an open window h
= became cnamored Of its splendor, and rushing tc
! ward it SO snged his wings and burned his bod
4 that he lay in the greatest agony.
t 81 am dying-O, Jupiter Ammon make me
atom again." and he persisted with this humble re
quest on his lips.
b "And now for the moral Of my story" said Nil
= van.
81 comprehend" said Horato; "my own expe
c rience furnishes it. From an atom have becop