The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-09-09
THE NEEDY GRAsSHOPPER.

THE NEEDY GRASSHOPPER.
"Good morning, sir" said an idle and
unfortunate Grasshopper to a very busy
Bee. ''Can yourgive me few hints as to
the best way to make honey? / suffered
very much last winter from hunger, and
am determined it shall not be so again.
Besides, am fond of honey, and would
like to learn to make it, if only for the
pleasure of eating it n0lo. 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.
every polite, to make comments on my
personal appearancel 1 mean to try to
make honey at all events" said the Grass
hopper, watching closely another Bee, who
went buzzing into flower. 81 see how it
is done, and 1 can buzz with my wings, if
it is necessary" So he made leap from
the wall where he sat into little hareben
was torn in pieces.
"Poor, perishable thingT 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
grufiy, for he never liked to be disturbed
at his work.
81 would like to ask one or two ques-
tions 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 am very
tired of grass and things. Are flies goodG"
''Rather" said the Spider.
''That looks easy, said the Grasshopper,
81 wonder if could do it."
Nothing like trying" said the Spider.
| ''You 90 backward and forward quite
steadily, see. am accustomed to go 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 a great mind
to try"
''Not on this side of the hedge" said the
Spider; 'This belongs to me-"
''Oh, certainly not, said the Grasshop-
per.
Then the Spider went into his den, and
the Grasshopper hoped over the hedge
and began to go backward and forward as
he had seen the Spider do.
A gay Fly came fitting by. 'If this
web were only done, could catch him."
thought the Grasshopper; but he said,
''What do you do for living, my friend ?"
"Do % said the Fly-''nothing am o
gentleman. / amuse myself"
"HoW about the cold winter ?" said the
Grasshopper.
"Oh, creep into snug hole and sleep
till the warm days come again" said the
Fly.
;'Thafsa new idea," said the Grass
hopper. Though I'm afraid could not
! sleep so long-I am rather nervous. Even
| in the short summer nights sing as much
as 1 sleep. But pray tell me if you see
anything like web here. I have been
going backward and forward and across, as
the Spider does, for as much as ten min
utes, but fear 1 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
side has been making one on purpose to
catch me. Imust go and have little sport
with him. Did you ever try it2 Pull at
one corner of his web, slyly, and he comes
running out of his den with his mouth
OPoH ~ Sas JOus "A1A0 JOU SOA- SA0OSAAAAJ
away"
'sThen you are good to eat" said the
Grasshopper, smacking his lips, for he was
hungry.
"Oh mol Far from it." said the Fly.
''It is only his whim;" and he few over the
hedge.
Then the Grasshopper jumped down in
despair, and walked along the gardenpath,
| thinking what he 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, be-
lieve. 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. "
'.No, 1 thank you," said she, 81 don't
approve of dancing;" and she shut the
door in his face.
''Of course not. / might have known
it." said he; ''a Grasshopper never found
a friend in an Ant since the world began. ="
i Just then he saw q notice by doorway
under the rock, ''Tailoress wanted"
He raped at the door and striped
Snake put his head out.
'IDo you want a tailoress ?" said the
Grasshopper.
"Yes," said the Snake, ''the times are so
hard that I mean to have my cast of
snake-skins mended and wear them again.
"A stitch in time is worth two in a bush, F"
you knowP"
"Yes, know it" said the Grasshopper.
"Are you good at the needle 2" said the
Snake.
81 am good at everything" said the
Grasshopper, excepting at making honey
and spinning webs. But l am not sure
that 1 know exactly what you mean by the
needle" s.
"Begone then" said the sna e, 'T see
you are an imposter."
The autumn wind blew cold and sharp as
the poor Grasshopper turned sadly away.
sam then an impOster?" thought ne.
: ''BIy father taught me no trade, and left
me no inheritance. Every one else has
some way of providing for himself Ever
the silly Fly seems to be fayorite Of for
: tune. Well, then, if can do nothing else
1 can at least try to take long nap as h'
does. But will eat some poppy seed
t first. NV mother used to eat them, re
! member" -i-H
So he took a strong dose of poppy seeds
. and crept into little hole in the wall Z
sleep away the long, cold winter, II n
could.-TRs ChiIdre1,s Hour.
c-.G....- ,...o;,,ts Last rvoak waaRe a.