The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-07-20

wide; )" and with that he disappeared
Early the next morning, before the dew
was off the ground, a sparrow in search
of worms observed the frog sitting in the
same spot.
"Why don't you come right out and
look for your breakfast, froggie ?' said
she.
"Much too early TO be-stir ones SELF"
answered the frog.
''Perhaps you can't hop ?" said the
sparrow.
''Can't l, though ?'' said the frog. "If
L chose could hop good deal farther
than you
Ifyou could hop, 1 should think you'd
have try for that bluebottle sitting on
the thistle near you"
I'll open my mouth wide," said the
frog, 'and perhaps he may come in.-
VI by, there he goes right away. What an
unlucky fellow | am, to be sure %
Dear me-" said the sparrow "Do
you call that being unlucky? I'm sure
my nestIings at home open their mouths
wide enough, but nothing drops into them
but what l put there. But must be off,
That evening when the trout came up
for his supper, there sat the frog in the
same place.
Good evening, froggie," he said
"How many flies have popped down your
throat since [ saw you las; Not many,
I'm afraid. Why, you are getting thin
your yellow skin hangs quite loose, and
your eyes look positively goggle!'
taste" answered the frog; and as be
showed no inclination TO continue the
conversation, the trout went about his
own affairs.
Next morning the sparrow appeared
again, and there sat the frog as before.
HalIoo ! froggie!" said she 'syou there
still } What are you waiting for ;"
81 am waiting for Providence to send
me fly" replied the frog but this time
he spoke rather hesitatingIy, for he was
beginning TO feel weak and hungry.
providence only helps these who help
themselves" said the sparrow. 81 don't
believe the fly will be sent"
81 certainly am a most unlucky beg
gar" said the frog, considering the
number Of flies that passed this way, and
not one of them comes in, though l open
my mouth SO wide that my jaws ache"
The sparrow hoped up to him, and
looked at him for moment with her head
on one side.
"Well, you are queer fish ~ she said.
81 am not fish at all, replied the frog,
with calm dignity; and the sparrow
picked up fine worm, and flew off to her
nestlings.
After she was gone the frog Observed a
little blue b utterly sitting on blade of
grass near. The pangs of hunger induced
him to stretch his yellow neck for it, but
so slowly that the blue butterfly had time
10 escape, "Just like my luck - solilo>
quized the frog. What's the use Of exert
ing ones self? Nothing ever comes of it. !"
GLOW weak l feel, to be sure! l think
it's the effort OF holding my mouth open
so long that makes me i'll. I'll 90 to
sleep" But he scarcely closed his eyes
when a rustling sound close to him made
him open them. There between him and
the sunlight looked dark figure with
cruel eyes, It was a great shrike, or
butcher bird. Poor froggie While ne
was thinking what an unlucky fellow he
was, the butcher bird pounced upon him,
and put an end to his existence, after
which he deposited him on a thorn till he
should feel inclined to eat him.
"WelI, froggie, you there still?' cried
tie trout, when he came up in the even
ing. ''Why, he's gone fairly starved
QUIT"
''KilIed and spitted o. said the spar
row, who had watched the whole pro-
ceeding, concealed in 8 bush.
"Poor fellow - said the trout 'I was
afraid it would end SO. D Os,Cego Press.