The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-05-23
Gnawins a File.

GnawinS E1le.
An exchange says, and we have no
reason to doubt it, that there was once
an old house and in that house lived
an old rat. By means of cracks and
knot-hoies, and sundry other holes OF
his own making, he had an extensive
circuit through the old house. From
front to ell, and from cellar to garret,
wherever there was anything that
would minister to the comfort of his
outer man, he was sure to find it and
help himself. One room was used as
q sort of granary, and the door OF
which was kept carefully closed
The old rat used to hear the sound OF
the grain, as it was poured upon the
floor or into barrels and strong de-
sire possessed him to know, from per
sonal observation, what was in that
room. But there was no way for him
to crafty that desire, but by making
an entrance through an oak board
partition. So one night, after all was
quiet in the house, he set himself Wig
orously about the undertaking and
though he found it rather jaw-ach-
ing operation. yet he kept up such an
incessant nibbling, that long before
daylight his task was accomplished,
and his hard toll was rewarded by a
plentiful repast at the pile of grain.
For some days and nights he passed
in and cut at pleasure, and enjoyed
the tall living, without let or him
drance. But the proprietor at length
discovered the hole which he had
made through the partition, and at
once concluded that he would lay an
embargo upon that sort of fun SO he
Just thrust large file into the hole.
The next time the old rat essayed
to pass in, he found slight impedi-
ment in his way and he tried in vain
to remove it. At length, said his rat
ship, al know what I can do, for /
know what I hare done. / can gnaw
of that stick, for it isn't half as thick
as the oak board through which /
gnawed the hole. So at it he went
again. He thought the file was good
deal harder than the board, but he was
determined not to give it up. Indeed
it was prominent article in his creed,
Neuer to back out. "Ah, a workman
is known by his chips" said he, as
he looked down and discovered quite
little pile, that looked very much
like ivory saw-dust, though he won
dered that his chips should be so light
eolOrsd "I shall fetch it yet" said
he; and he applied himself with re-
newed vigor.
But at length he discovered some
Hood On the file where he had been
gnawing. He instantly clapped his
paws to his bleeding mouth, when be-
hold he made this discovery that
instead of gnawing the file. the file
had actually gnawed his teeth quite
down to the gums For a moment he
stood confounded. At last he said
"For once I have made fool of my
self" And so he had for he was
not only obliged to go supperless to
bed +; but what was of vastly more
consequence, he had lost what would
be quite indispensable in procuring
his future suppers. And here we shall
take leave of his ratship, in order to
make an application of the story.
Men ought to be wiser than rats
but they are not, for they also fire.
quently gnaw a file. A person gnaws
file when, just for the sake of having
his opn suay. he obstinately persists in
doing that which is against his own
interest-that which Injuries himself a
vast deal more than any body else.
Here is an illustration: A boy care
lessly hit his foot against a stone, and
as natural consequence, it ached
dreadfully. He instantly made up his
mind that he would have his revenge.
So he down and went to beating the
stone with his fist and he only de-
sisted when he ceased to feel any pain
In his foot, in consequence of the
much more severe pain in his bruised
knuckles. Now he had his way-he
had his revenge, but it was gnaacsng
file.
Here is another: A boy whose name
feel little delicacy about mention
ing. once got little grouty st some
thing which his mother required him
to do; SO when he was called to din
ner, to show out his independence.
said with pouting lips, "I don't want
any dinner" Now he was hungry
enough, but he was determined he