Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-09-01
nlisrrlIanccus.
The Cat and the Eagle.
ArABle.nY DIR FRANKLIN.

FABLE.nY DR. FRANKLIN.
Lord Spencer was great admirer of Dr.
Frankliu aud never missed sending him a
card when he intended a quorum Of earn-
ed ones at w., table The last time that
our philosopher enjoyed this honor, was ~
l775 just beipte he was driven from Eug-
land 10y Lord North. The conversation
taking tara on fables, Lord Spencer OBJ
served, that it certainly had been lucky
thing especially for the young, that tins
mode Of instruction lad ever been hii ON,
as there was something ia 1t wonderfully
calculated To touch a favorite string with
them, i. e., novelty aud surprise. They
would listen, he said, tu toN when they
would not TO father, and they would be
mere apt 20 remember anything good told
them by an owl OF crow than by an uncle
or aunt. But attn afraid, continued his
lofdshlp that the age OF fables Is past
Ksop and PbDdrus among the ancients aud
FontaIne aud Gray among the modern, have
gwen Us so many hue speeches from birds
and beasts, that ! suspect their budgets are
pretty nearly exhausted
The company agreed with his lordship,
except DR.. Franklin, who was silent.
Well Doctor" SAID Lord Spencer,
What Is your opinion CA this subject"
Why nv Lord replied Franklin, 81
anuot say that have the honor To think
with you on ihis subject. The birds and
beasts have indeed sad many wise things
but 1t IS likely they wlll say great many more
before they are done. Nature. avn think
ing, is not so easily exhausted as your lord
ship seem, . imagine"
Lord Spencer, evidently confused, but
still with couuienance of pleasure which
characterizes great souls, When they meet
superior genus, exclaimed" Well, Doc
tor, suppose you give u fable know
you are good at Impromptu.
The Company all seconded the motion
franklin lhniked them for the compliment,
but begged to be excused. They would
hear no excuse. They knew, they SAID, he
could d. It, aud insisted he should erauiy
them Finding all resistance Intellectual,
he drew his pencil, aud after scribbng a
few minutes. reached II To- Spencer, saying
-" Well my lord, since YOU will have 1t
So here IS something fresh from the BRAIN,
but an afraid you will MOI hnd E'op in
IT," A" Read II, Doctor read It" was the
cry Of the lord aud hls friends. la mood,
spirucd aud pleasant, the Doctor thus be-
gam
d" Oncc upon a tme-hem las an eagle
N full pride of piulous, SCARED over hun-
bic farm yard, darling his fiery eyes a.
round in search Of p,g, a lamb, or some
other pretty utblt what should he behold
bu, plump rabbit, as he thought, squated
ay~Dng the weeds Down at once he ppunc-
cd e IL
lalons, thus chuckled with joy What
lucky dog am sucha NICE rabbit here,
this morning, for breakfast
90 HIS jog was out momeutsry; for the
supposed rabbit happened 10 be a stout cat,
whu splitting and squallIng with rage, IN
stanty stuck her teeth and nails into the
eagles thighs, making the blood and iea-
theirs fly at dreadful rate.
60 Hold hold for mercys sake, hold "
cried the eagle his wings shlyering in the
ar with very torment.
"' William Z retoned the cat with IL
ger-llke growl, dare you talk Of mercy at
ter ueaiuig me thus, who never injured
you 2
o, God bless you is that YOU re-
Piled the eagle, mighty complainant; ''pon
honor, did not intend, SIR. thought It
was a rabbit had got hold of-and you
know we are fond of rabbits, Do you sup
pose, my dear sir, thai If | had dreampt it
was you, | would ever have touched hair
of your head No indeed am not such
fool as all that comes to. Aud now, dear
Mr. Cat, let's be good friends again, aud I'll
let you 90 with all my heart"
6" Let. ne 90. yes you'll let me go, scoun-
DIRE, Will you, here IN the clouds-to break
every bone IN my body No villain, carry
me back, and put me down exactly where
you found me, or I'll tear the throat out OF
YOU in moment
Without word Of reply, the eagle
stopped from his giddy height. aud sailing
down, with great complaisauce restored the
cal to his SIMPLE farm yard, there TO sleep,
or hunt al pleasure
A solemn silence ensued At length,
with deep propheue sigh, Lord Spencer
replied thus -
All, DR.. Franklin, see the drift OF
your fable, aud my fears have already made
The application. God grant that Britain
4 cat."
This table pharaphrazed, in the Wing pa
/; pers OF that day, concludes in this way -
Thus Britain thought in scvenly-six,
Her ialons IN hare to FIX;
But IN scuifie IL was found
Ihe bird received dangerous wound,
Which, though pretending of to hide,
/. Slill rankles deeply in his side"
The Niagara Falls Disaster.
The telegraphic account says that as Able