Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-09-08
THE NEEDY GRASSHOPPER.

HE NEEDY ORASSHOPPEfs.
''Good morning, SIR" said an idle and
unfortunate Grasshopper to very busy
Bee. 'Can you give ne few hints as 10
the best way to make honey? 1 suffered
very much last winter from hunger, and
am determined it shall not be SO again.
Besides, am fond of honey, and would
Ike to learn TO make it, if only for the
pleasure OF eating it nolo. What is the idea
in going into flowers head first, as
you do?"
81 have no time to tell you," said the
Bee, ''and there are already too many in
the business. And then you are not fitted
for it. Your knees and elbows are too
sharp" And he few away.
"Very polite, to make comments on my
personal appearancer 1 mean to try to
make honey at all events" said the Grass
hopper, watching closely another Bee, who
went buzzing into flower. s'I see how il
is done, and can buzz with my wings, ii
it is necessary" So he made a leap from
the wall where he sat into little harebell
that grew near by. The delicate flower
was torn in pieces.
sPoor, perishable thingp said he, as he
hoped back to the wall in disgust
| Just then he saw Spider industriously
spinning his web In the hedge.
''Good morning, neighbor," said the
Grasshopper.
GOOD morning. said the Spider. rather
gruffly, for he never liked to be disturbed
| at his work.
II would like to ask one or two ques-
| tons about making web" said the Grass
hopper. 81 have often watched you at
your work in my leisure moments, but can't
exactly see how you manage it. L amv very
tired of grass and things. Are flies good,"
"RatherP said the Spider
"Thet looks easy" said the Grasshopper,
81 wonder if could do It"
Nothing like trying" said the Spider.
'.Tou 60 backward and forward quite
steadily. see. am accustomed to 60 on
the jump. That would not do as well,
perhaps"
go straight and keep your line taut,"
said the Spider.
Thank you for the information. said
the Grasshopper. 81 have great mind
to try"
"Not on this side Of the hedge" said the
Spider; "This belongs to me-"
"Oh, certainly not" said tle Grasshop-
per.
Then the Spider went into his Cen, and
the Grassbopper hoped over the hedge
and began TO go backward anu forward as
he had seen the Spider do.
gay Fly came fitting By. ''If thu,
web were only done, l could catch him."
thought the Grasshopper; but he said,
''What do you do for living, my friend"
DO p said the Fly" nothing am
gentleman. / amuse myself"
"How about the cold winter" said the
Grasshopper.
"Oh, creep into snug hole and sleep
l = <l,..x Al
Fly.
"That'sa new idea," said the GrasE-
hopper Though I'm afraid could not
sleep so long-I ain rather nervous. Even
in the short summer nights sing as much
as sleep. But pray tell me if you see
anything like web here. l have been
going backward and forward and across, as
the Spider does, for as much as ten min
uies. but fear shall not succead."
"There's no sign Of web, said the Fly,
who knew all about such matters. THAT
reminds me; the old Spider on the other
lside has been making one on purpose to
catch me- Imust 60 and have little sport
with him. Did you ever try it? Pull at
one corner of his web, slyly, and he comes
running out of his den with his mouth
open to eat you. while you soar gracefully
away"
''Then you are good to eat," said the
Grasshopper, smacking his lips, for he Was
hungry.
"Oh mol Far from it." said the Fly.
1T is only his whim;" and he few ovsr tho
hedge.
Then the Grasshopper jumped down in
despair, and walked along the gardenp path,
thinking what lie would do next.
An Ant came to her door to see which
way the wind blew. A bright thought
came into his head "Good morning, mad
am," said he. You take dodgers, I be-
ieve. I want to find comfortable quarters
for the winter, and am willing to make my
self useful"
81 thought you were dancing-master. ="
said she.
81 was, madam" said he, ''but that
business is dull, now the times are SO
hard. Though perhaps you would like to
learn. You have just the figure for it. ;"
mo, thank you" said she, 81 don't
3 approve of dancing;" and she shut the
door in his face.
sOf course not. 1 might have known
! it." said he; ga Grasshopper never found
? friend in an Aut since the world began. ="
Just then he saw notice by doorway
under the rock, "Tailoress wanted"
: He raped at the door and striped
Snake put his head out
:, ''Do you want a tailoress?" said the
Grasshopper.
: s.Yes," said the Snake, s'the times are 80
t hard that l mean to have my cast on
r snake-skins mended and wear them again.
a stitch in time is worth two in bush,
g you know?"
e "Yes, know it," said the Grasshopper
A, "Are you good at the needle Z" said ths
n Snake.
II am good at everything" said th'
i Grasshopper, excepting at making hone.
y and spinning webs. But 1 am not sur
70 that know exactly what you meanby 'th
"a needle"
"Begone then," said the S,a 9, 81 Sc
!. you are an imposter."
The autumn wind blew cold and sharp q
~ the poor Grasshopper turned sadly away.
&c 'Am then an imposter?" thought ht
my father taught me no trade, and ie
memo inheritance. Every one else na
.ss some way of providing for himself. Eve
~ the silly Fly seems to be favor,te Oh 10
n tune. Well, then, If I can do nothing els
"a can at least try to take p long nap as
does. But will eat some poppy see'
"a, u, first. My mother used to eat them'
l.o member"
aus So he took q strong dose of poppy seed
and crept into little hole in tho wall
'kf sleep away the long, cold winter. II
- could. The Children's Hour.
put
49, L. l.