The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-11-30
THE wEAsEL's ARrIFICE.
By z. CARMEL HENDRY.

A large family of rats dwelt in the ruins |
bf an old mill, and enjoyed life very much;
for their quarters were commodious and !
unfrequented by men, SO that they could |
Bion. 1t was the common opinion of their
peighbors and friends, that they also Jared |
very we'll, for they we're all remarkably |
plump. This evidence of good living did |
not escape the notice of the cats, who came
occasionally to prowl about the ruins, and
taking the air. But although Their were |
Vat, they were pretty feet, and always !
managed to get housed in time, to the great |
disappointment of their pursuers, who |
knew that their domicil was impenetrable. |
The fact ofthese frequent efforts to carry
away one of the rats having always proved |
unsuccessful, caused them to be looked up
on as very rare morsels, 80 that whenever
5the cats gave banquet, the principle dish
marked on their bill Of fare was ga ruin
rat" and though the guests all knew that
were polite enough to pretend they believ-
4 ed it all, and to praise it's peculiar favor.
Now there dwell also in the vicinity q
family of weasels, who are rivals Of the
cats, or "Grimalkins," as they were called
weasefs particular contempt, was the bill
of fare deceit, concerning the "ruin rat"
Among these weasels was one who was
noted for the suavity and polish of his
manners, and one day when this particular
foible of their rivals had been discussed
"Those cheating Grimalkins must be
Disconnected and will do it. will cap
ture o member of the interesting rat family,
and we will serve it up at the feast We are
going to give next week, and thus delight
our epicurean guests"
his hearers at this boast but the weasel
was not discouraged; and the next evening
he walked to the ruins and took his place
4 opposite to hole in the ground, that was
4 large enough to admit rat quite easily,
= puE weasel could by no means enter. "I
7 have read somewhere he soliloquized," of q
a cat obtaininga COED meal of rabbit, by pre-
3 tending to be o. peaceful philosopher, and
thus disarming the fears Of the poor silly
things, and enticing them within reach Of
I would be appreciated by these creatures !;
they are of too low a species, 80 l will
4 have recourse to dattery, which 10 infalIi-
BILE. Dear me! how wish one of them
4 would appear, it is very cold here, and
they are expecting company at home"
of the aperture canght his quick eye; and
presently he saw u pair of eyes regarding
q him attentively.
What lovely eyes! "he exclaimed in a
! soft gentle voice. II could gaze forever
! in their depths"
Il lady rat of very lapguishing and senti
mental turn of mind, aud che had on this
occasion come to this aperture to gaze
upon the moon, and this hattering address,
which she took to be entirely original,
] pleased her very much, 90 she smirked,
{ and hung her head on one side, and dis
posed herself to hear more.
= 1t is q sad pity" the weasel continued,
assuming q plaintive tone, that those old
fabulous stories, about eDmities between
IL ~ 4.
rat could be persuaded to call upon a
weasel, and yet the very friendliest feelings
exist in our circles towards those estima-
Bile and worthy people.
81 can assure you that am perfectly
unprecedented" said the young lady rat,
however she would not have ventured a
step nearer to her gallant friend.
"Ah this age is fast becoming enlight
ened," said the weasel, sand you, Mise,
are one of those uncommon individuals
who do not allow their clear firm minds to
be trammelled by tho warnings old grand
mothers pretend to convey in their ridicu-
= lous legends of the ferocity of weasels !;
though regret to admit that our defiant
relations the Grimalkins, may be consider
cial terms with them. do not say we are
unfriendly, for in our high toned society,
unfriendliness is considered quite unrefin-
ed, but we do not visit, or exchange invi-
tations when we give parties"
ssWhat o fascinating, polished, we'll edu-
Gated young gentleman !" murmured his
fair listener. "Why are our gentleman
Eats SO uncouth ~
"My purpose ia calling this evening"
continued the weasel, twas of the most
amicable nature. Several of the grand old
dames of our circle were complaining the
.Other day of the excl1siveneRs of the heads
Of your honored family, who do not permit
the charming young ladies of your house
hold, to come out rs it is called.that is,
to make yonr appearance at q ball when
you are still young and beautiful, and thus
aignify that you have left the seclusion of
the nursery, and are going to try the
world"
allow delightful" cried the listener.
$50 thought" said the weasel, that l
would call over, and try to prevail upon
some of the charming fair ones of this do
main to appeal to their guardians for per
mission to adopt this custom OF our society.
There is to be q grand ball given at our
house next Wednesday. Do you not think