The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-11-04
THE YOUNG. FOLKS.
Tne Hare and the Hedgehog.

This tale, my young readers, will
seem to you to be quite false; but still
II must be true, for my Grandfather,
who used to tell 1t to me, would wind
up by saying, "All this is true, my son,
else 1t would never have been told to
me-" The tale runs thus:-
1t was fine summers morning, just
before harvest time; the buckwheat was
in flower, and the sun was shining
brightly in the heaven above; a breeze
was blowing over the fields, where the
larks were singing and along the paths
the people were going TO church dressed
in their best. Every creature seemed
contented, even the Hedgehog, who
stood before his door singing as he best
could a joyful song in praise of the fine
morning. Indoors, meanwhile, his
Wife was washing and drying the
kitchen, before going into the fields for
a walk to see how the crops were get
ting on. She was such a long while,
however, about her work, that Mr..
Hedgehog would wait no longer, and
trotted Off by himself. He had not
walked any very long distance before
he came to small thicket, near field
of cabbages, and there he espied Hare,
who he guessed had come on a similar
errand to himself; namely, to devour
few fine heads. AS soon as Mr.. Hedge
hog saw the Hare, he wished him a
good morning; but the latter, who was
in his way high minded creature,
turned very fierce and naughty look
upon the Hedgehog, and made no reply
to his greeting. He asked, instead, in a
very majestic tone, how he came to be
walking abroad at such an early hour.
81 am taking. a walk" replied the
Hedgehog. "a walk I" repeated the
Hare, in an ironical tone, ''methinks
you might employ your legs about
something hetter!'
This answer vexed the Hedgehog
most dreadfully, for he could have borne
anything better than to be quizzed
about his legs, because they were nat
urally short, and from no fault of his
own. However, he said to the Hare,
swell, you need not be so proud; pray
what can you do with those legs of
yours?" "That is my affair."" replied
the Hare. II expect, if you would ven
ture trial, that should beat you in a
race" said the Hedgehog
"You are laughing you, with your
short legs ~ said the Hare, contemp-
tuously. "But still, since you have
such a particular wish, l have no objec-
tion to try. What shall the wager be ?"
"a gold louis dor and bottle Of
brandy" replied the Hedgehog.
"Donen said the Hare, land it may
as well come off at once"
mo not in such great haste if you
please" said the Hedgehog 81 am not
quite ready yet; must first go home
and freshen up bit. Within halfan-
hour will return to this place."
Thereupon the Hedgehog hurried off,
leaving the hare very merry. On his
way home, the former thought to him
self, "Mr. Hare is very naughty and
high minded, but withal he is very stu
pid; and although he thinks to beat
me with his long legs, will find way
to defeat him." So, as soon as the Hedge
hog reached home, he told his Wife to
dress herself at once to go into the field
with him.
"What is the matter ?" asked his
Wife. ~ have made a wager with the
Hare, for a louis dor and bottle of
brandy, to run race with him, and
you must be Witness"
'My goodness, man are you in your
senses ?" said the Wife; "do you know
what you are about How can you ex-
pect to run so fast as the Hare?"
"Hold your tongue, Wife that is my
affair. Don't you reason about mems
business. March, and get ready to come
with me-"
AS soon then as the Hedgehog's Wife
was ready they set out together and on
the way he said, "Now attend to what
l say. On the long field yonder, we
shall decide our bet. The Hare is tC
run on the one side of the hedge and
on the other, and so all you have to dC
is to stop at one end of the hedge, ant
then when the Hare arrives on the 9th
er side at the same point, you must cal
out, Il am here already"
They soon came to the fields, and thu
Hedgehog stationed himself at one enc
| of the hedge, and his Wife at the othel
en1; and as soon as they had taker
their places the Hare arrived. "Ar,
you ready to start ?" asked the Hare
"Yes," answered the Hedgehog, ant
each took his place. "Off once, OFF twice
three times and offw cried the Hare
and ran up the field like whirlwind
while the Hedgehog only took thre
, steps and then returned to his place.
The Hare soon arrived at his goal, 8
, he ran all the way at top,speed but bt
fore he could reach it, the Hedgehog
Wife on the other side called out, ~ al
! here already" The Hare was thunder
struck to hear this said, for he though
it was really his opponent, since ther
! was no difference in the appearance
the Hedgehog and his Wife. "This wi
a not dow thought the Hare to himself
but presently he called out, "Onct
! twice, and off again !" and away b
went as fast as possible, leaving tn
Hedgehog quietly sitting in her place
+ II am here before you," cried Mr.
Hedgehog,a las soon as the Hare approach
! ed. "What again ?" exclaimed tn
, Hare in rage and added, "Will yo
, dare another trial ?" "Oh as many 6
you like; do not be afraid on my a
4 count" said Mr.. Hedgehog, courteou
!, ly.
So the Hare then ran backw an