Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-06-16

you to invent more mischief here than we
have already, for we are all more or less ut
emnity with our neighbors ; and ne our ia-
theirs and grandfathers were the same, we
conclude IL must bo owing to something
that can't be changed for instance, the air
or water of our town so set your heart at
rest, and come along with us, and wen
take care of you.'
"Woll," rejoined the stranger, 81 am
very glad indeed to hear what you say Of
your own town, for to be candid with you,
it's exactly what heard of you all rs |
came along, and this makes me think that
In place, where all were mischicf-makers
and busy-bodes already, / could have
nothing TO do but (for once in my life) live
in peace. However, don't trust me--thats
all have to say--and If any evil arises
from my visit, turn me out, and I'll seek a
home elsewhere"
An old Brahmn had come MP in TING -
hear this svowaL "Tis very strange" said
the wise man. "This fellow is surely
magician, and may set all the rocks of
Shorapoor dancing and tumbling about our
ears some day. Turn him instantly away
or it may be worse for us ALL"
"No, no." shouted the multitude. "That
would be inhospitable. Let linn remain,
and we shall soon see what he can do
The little active man now came forward
again, and said shyly, "Sir, if you are re-
ally such Il mischief-maker as you describe
yourself to be, suppose you were to give
us little specimen of your power-just
some trifing matter to jIdge by"
"What, now?" said the stranger.
"Aye, now r. exclaimed all ; "and the
sooner the better"
"Well, let il be So" said he let me put
up my things and come alongr And with
this he arose, packed up, girded on his
sword, and strobe majestically forward
followed by crowd continually increas-
ing as they advanced further into the town.
"Now, don't push or press upon me so
much," said the strangers "but observe
what / do, and watch the consequences.
So they let him proceed, and as he advanc-
ed, they soon perceived that he was form
ing some deep plan, particularly as he
pushed every now and then, with his fore
finger between his teeth, and nodded and
wagged his head, as much as to say 81
have it'll" Upon which he made straight
for shop kept by man who sold flour,
and such like things, and accosting the
dealer with great civility, asked if he had
any honeyH "That I have, sir" replied
the shopkeeper, "plenty of it, fresh from
the comb only taste it, and I'm sure you
will buy. Here, sir; look at this beautiful
Jar, full Of the finest honey that was over
seen in Shorapoor."
at looks well,' replied the stranger dip
ping his hand in "and does not taste a.
miss" saying which he gave his finger
knew right well what he was about, as a
little lump stuck on the outer wall.
at really is good" said the Mischief
Maker. "Give me a small pot of ii, that
may take 1t bome to ms, children !. ,..-..-.
while the shopkeeper was fillinga new
pot, over which he tied a fresh leaf, the
people who had been following, came up
and said, "Sir, you are making game of
us; you are giving us no proof of what
you said. What mischief is there in buy
ing little pot OF honey?"
"Be quiet, my good people, and content
yourselves for a couple of minutes, while
II
safe place, and you will soon see some
thing-wait here and III be back to YOU
directly" The Mischief Maker vanished
in an instant!
Now it happened that this shop was a
mere shed of place, projecting into the
street, from the wall on which the honey
had been thrown; nor had the tempting
bait been there long before II was smelt
out by large hungry fly, which had been
spending many fruitless hours buzzng a.
bout the dealers jar, so carefully was it al
ways covered. Here was n glorious op-
portunity for fine supper and down he
came upon it with an eager appette--with- |
out looking about him rs he ought-for o.
yer his head under the cover Of the wall.
among old chinks and cobwebs, there
dwelt willy, dust-covered lizard who en-
ioyed fly beyond everything else in the
world, and had been particularly unsuc-
cessiul in t'y-catchng all day. Watching,
there fore, till the fly had buried his min
ing apparatus deep in the honey, he crept
down quietly, looking as like bit of old
plaster as possible, but for those bright |
eyes of his, which in his eagorness for the
capture, were intently fixed upon the flv. |
Unlucky wight! Little did he think that |
those very eyes had attracted the attention
of a fine tabby cat who, but few minutes |
before, with blinking eyes, presented u
picture of contentment but now reused 10y |
Il sudden temptation, was crouching stealth
lily down as she beheld the lizard, for |
whom she had so often watched In vain. |
Down stole the izard-on stole the cat; so |
here at the same moment were three crel-
lures so bent upon indulgence that they
never even thought of looking about them. |
But were these three all the parties to be |
engaged2 Alas no. There was sworn |
enemy of the cats approaching also (un- !
der cover of a large basket in the shape of |
mischiovous white dog, kept by quar- |
relsomo man on the other side of the street.
This dog was terror to all the eats in the |
neighborhood, and most of all, of the |
flour-dealer's; SO often had he chased her,
and so often experienced the bitter disap- |
pointment of seeing her climb up the
posts of the shop, and then splitting at him
from the top of the shed.
infatuated lizard Wretchod hyl Be-
trayed pussy! She needed not the slv
creep of the dog, so intent was she upon
the successful issue Of her spring upon the
lizard. The fly was gorging himself with
honey. He alone partook not of the in
tense anxiety of the lizard, the cat, and
the dog. lie partook only of-honoy
The crisis at length arrived. The lizard
made its nimblo pounce at the fiy The
cat sprang at the lizard. The lizard missed
its footing in consequence, and would
have been the eats portion-ny, honey
and all-but for the dogs sudden attack
upon puss. Here was scenei The liz
ard falling to the ground, was at once in
volyed in the consequences of the quarrel