, 1862-11-20
NO "a.
DR.. Franklin's Fable.

Franklin, the philosopher, the statesman, end
the printer, deserves to rank next 10 Washington
as the ablest practical statesman Of bis generafoi
and bis services to our country, both ID the coun-
ellis at home and in diplomacy abroad, cannot Be
exaggerated. In the most cultivated circles of
England and France be found 20 superior in IleE
wit, or keen penetration, Or ready tepattee. The
following impromptu fable Is a specimen o. his
invariable readiness to defend the honor Of his
country, when surrounded by those who bad little
sympathy with is institutions.
Lord Spencer was great admirer Of DR.. Frank
lin, and never missed sending him card when h
wanted aquorum at bis table. The last time that
our philosopher enjoyed tic Honor was IL I775,
Just beiorelhe was driven from England By Lord
North. The conversation taking q turn on hble,
Lord Spencer observed that Il had certainly been
very lucky thing, especially ior TIE young, that
this mode Of instruction had ever been Bit on a.
there was q something in itwonderfnlly calculated
10 touch laYorite string with them-i.e., novelty
and surprise. They would listen to fox, be aid,
when they would dot to q father, and they would
be more apt 70 remember anything good told them
by an owl or crow, than BY an uncle or an aunt
But am afraid, continued bis lordahip. that the
age Of fables is past Esop and Pholdrds among
the ancients, and Fontaine and Gay among tie
moderns, have given US 30 many hne speeches IRON
the birds and beasts, that I suspect their budgets
arc pretty nearly exhausted.
The company conceded with bis lofdship, except
Franklin, Who was silent
"WeIl, DoctOr,u said Lord Spencer, what b
your opinion on this snbjeotr'
"Why, my Lord, replied Franklin, g ] cannot
say that l have the honor to think with you od
this affair. The birds and beasts have indeed said
a great many wise things. but II Is likely they win
say great many more yet before they are done
Mature, I am thinking, IS not quite % easily ex-
hansted as your lOIdship seems to imagine"
Lord Spencer, evidently confused, but still with
that countenance Of pleasure which characterizes
great souls when they meet with superior genius,
exclaimed y" Well, Doctor, suppose you give usa
ihblef know you are good 1t en- impfomptn.H
The company dll seconded the motion.
Franklin thanked them for the compliment, but
begged TO bee excused. They would hear no excuse
They knew, they said, be could DO Il ehd insisted
be should crafty them. Finding al resistance
Intellectual Be drew bis pencil and, after scribbling
a few minutes, reached il 70 Spencer, saying;
swell, my lord, since you will have il 50, here's
something fresh from the brain, but I'm ahnid
you'll not find Esop 10 Il"
a Read Il, Doctor, Rad itIn Wis the cry Of the
noble lord and biz lfiends
named respectful and pleasant, Franklin Tins
read mis- fable;
Once upon alinc-hcm I-as 1n c11'o' m no
lull pride Of bis pinlons SCARED oFu dn humble
barlyard dartipg bis fiery eyes around IN search
Of pig, lamb, or some such nice tit-bit, what
should be behold bot plump round rabbit, as be
thought, squatted among the weeds Down nt
once upon him be poullced like thunder, and beart
ing him alolt in bis talons thus chncked 10 himself
with joy POUNDS what lnehy dog am
such anieerabb here this morning, for my break'
iastF s i .a 3ai ii'ts =
/" His Joy was but momentary; Tor The supposed
rabbit happened TO Be stout cat, who, splitting
and raging Instantly stuck his teeth and nails like
any wild cat squalling with fury, into lhe eagle6
thighs, making the blood and isathetsdy ata dread
ful rate.
~ Hold holdi for mercys sake, hoidf cried
the eagle, bis wings shivering in the air for very
@'villainr retorted the cat, with tIgtrlIks
growl, dare yod talk Of mercy ailer treating ne
tins, who never injured your
80, God bless you, Mr. Cat, Is that Soig io
joined the eagle. mighty complaimnl pom honor,
I did not intend i, sir thought i yrs only
rabbit had got bold Of; and you know we ar9
all fond Of rabbits DO you suppose, my dear sirs
that II had but drenmt Il was you, would ever
have touched a hair Of your headf No, indeed;
am not such fool As all lhEt comes to- Ahd
now, my dear Mr. Cat, come let's Be good friends
again. and IN LET you go.With an my heart
~ Yes, yon'll let me 70. scoundTel. VIII you
skinl No, villain, carry me back and put me
down exactly where you found me, or IN tear ne
throat out Of you IN a moment
without Nord Of reply, the eagle stopped AZ
once from his giddy height, and, ailing humbly
down, with great complnisance restored the cat to
the humble iarm.yard, there to sleep OF hunt bis
rats and mice 6t plcqsnre" VI. $50
A solemn silence ensued. AT length, with
deeP prophetic sigh, Lord Spencer replied Ali