Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-16
The Ages of Animals and Men.
---,s-
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN.

When the world was created, and all
creatures Assem- bled to have their life
time appointed, the ass advanced first
and asked how long he would have to
live. .., .. --:...-..r -.., f,.-- ...-.,
''Thirty years" replied Nature, ''will
that be- azcccablo to. tl,eo29,' = s5-
''Alas p answered the ass, cit is a long
while! Remember what wearisome eN-
istence mine will be; from morning un-
til night shall have to bear heavy bur
dens, dragging sacks to the mill, that
others may cat the bread, while I shall
have no encouragement, nor be refresh-
ed with anything but blows and kicks
Give me buta portion Of that time, l
pray thee"
Nature was moved with compassion,
and presented him with but eighteen
years. The ass went away conlforted,
and the dog came forward. B.. .--.-
''How long dost thou require to iive?''
asked Nature; :'thirty years were too
many for. the ass, bat will you be con
tented with themr' r
as it thy will that I should?'' replied
the dog 'sThink how much | will have
to run about; my feet will not last 50
long a time, and when [ shall have lost
my voice for barking, and my teeth for
biting, what else shall be fit for but to
lie in corner and growl % s.r-s--
Nature thought he was right, andgaYe
him twelve years. The ape then ap=
preached.
'.Thou wilt, doubtless, willingly live
the thirty years. said Nature. ''Thou
wilt not have to labor as the ass and the
dog. Life will be pleasant to thee"
''Oh nop' cried he; $50 it may seem to
others, but will not be. Should pud-
dings ever rain down, 1 shall have no
spoon. I shall play merry tricks, and
excite laughter by my grimaces, and
then be rewarded with sour apple
How often sorrow lies concealed behind
Jest. shall not be able to endure for
thirty years. -
Nature was gracious and he received
but ten. .-..- -..... .-s.s
At last came man, healthy and strong,
and asked the number Of his days.
''Will thirty years content thee?"
GLOW short a time p exclaimed man.
''When shall have built my house and
kindled a fire on my own hearth-when
{ the trees I have planted are about to
bloom and bear fruit, when life with me
Will feel most desirable, [ shall die -
Oh, Nature, grant me longer poriod!''
''Thou shalt have the IS years Of the
ass, besides" ..-.,- s-
THAT is not yet enough replied
man.
"Take, likewise, the twelve years of
the dog aa.
s.It is not yet sufficient" reiterated
man; give me more.
Il give thee then the ten yearso the
ape, in vain wilt thou crave more"
Man departed unsatisfed. r. "a
Thus man lives seventy years. The
first thirty are his human years, and pass
swiftly by. He IS chen healthy and hap
| py; IL labc~s- chaart;;liy, and reioioesin
/ his existence. The eighteen years OF
the ass come next, and burden upon
burden is heaped upoa him, he carries
the corn that is to feed others, blows
and kicks are the wages Of his faithful
service. The twelve years of the dog
follow, and he loses his teeth, and lies
in corner and growls. When these
are gene, the apes years form the con-
clusion. The man, weak and silly, be-
comes the sport CT children.
| .
nsFThis world should not be one Of
gloom to its inhabitants, but should be
enjoyed by all. With this object in
view, read and laugh al the following:
~ man once travelling by a stage
coach in Michigan was unfortunate
enough to be on poor road where lie
was obliged to go on foot and carry a
fcnce-rail to help pry the stage out OF
mud holes. becoming exhausted and
inpatient, he addressed the driver: Look
here, old fellow, Eve no objections tt
going on foot, but III not carry this raj
another rod
FAMILY GovERNMENr.-An eccentric
clergy man, lately alluding in his pulpit
to the subject of family government, re-
r marked that it is often said, ''That now
a-days there is no such thing as famil,
government. But it is false-all false
There is just as much family govern
} ment now as there ever was-just a
much as in the days of our fathers anC
/ grand fathers. The only difference is
5 that then the old folks did the govern
ing, and nsw it is done by the youn;
ones ..-,......-
|, H@Herc is good hit at the las
dodge OF the quack medicine manufac
, turers:-
"To .Sgfiercrs.-A decayed gentleman
who has for many years been subject t
an attack of creditors, is desirous of ma
king known the means by which he wa
; cured. ,- ,,...-..'...... .......
Letters, enclosing a postage stamp
can be left under tic door during th
! night
d BGFLying is the most consunanlat
form OF cowardice. He who uses a Ii
for refuge, betrays woful lack Of fait
: in all things substantial, and places
Il miserable confidence in a shadow c
what is not. 81 -r3 IT, 1-.1 ,.:'i
It Bg~A late southern paper, speakin
C of the damage done by tempest, says
It IA heavy gaS ragged furiously. here Q
Wednesday last .,., .......,..,-..,.