The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-06-04
Miscellaneous.
The Improved EsOp.
I. THE FOX AND THE GRAPES.

l. TIE FUN AND JliE GRAPSS.
A thirsty fox one day in passing through
a vineyard noticed that the grapes were
hanging in clusters from the vines which
were trained from such height as to be out
of his reach.
"Ah," said the fox, with supercilous
smile, "I've heard of this before. In the
twelfth century an ordinary fox of average
culture would have wasted his strength and
energy in the vain attempt to reach yonder
sour grapes. Thanks to my knowledge of
vine culture, however, at once observe that
the great height and extent of the vine, the
drain upon the sap through the increased
number of tendrils and leaves, must, of neces-
sity, impoversh the grape and render it un-
worthy the consideration of an intelligent
animal Not any for me, thank you " With
these words he coughed slightly and with
drew.
MoRAL.-This fable teaches that an in
telligent discretion and some botanical
knowledge are of the greatest importance to
grape culture.
II. THE FOX AND THE SroRK.
A fox one day invited stork to dinner,
but provided for the first course-soup. This
being in a shallow dish, of course the fox
Tapped up readily, but the stork, on account
of his long bill was unable to gain a
mouthiul.
"You do not seem to be fond of soup"
said the fox, concealing smile in his nap
kin. "Now, it is one Of my greatest weak
nesses"
You certainly seem to protect yourself
outside Of large quantity" said the stork,
rising with some dignity, and eXaming his
watch with great cmpressment; "but | have
an engagement at eight o'clock which l had
forgotten. | must be excused, Az re coir.
BY the way dine with me tomorrow"
The fox assented, arrived at the appoint
ed time, but found, as he fully expected,
nothing on the table but single long necked
bottle, contang olives, which the stork was
completely extracting by the aid of his long
bill.
"Why, you do not seem to eat anything
said the stork with great naiycte, when he
had finished the bottle,
'No," said the fox significantly 81 an
waiting for the second course"
"What is that?" asked the stork blandly
"Stork stuffed with Olives" shrieked the
fox, in a very pronounced manner and i'm
mediately dispatched him.
MoRAL.-Truehosp ospitality obliges the hos
to sacrifice himself for his guests.
III. TIE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
Awolf one day drinking from running
stream, observed lamb also drinking from
the same stream, at some distance from him
81 have yet to learn" said the wolf, ad
dressing the lamb with dignilied severity
"what right have you to muddy the strear
from which | am drinking"
"Your premises are correct" replied tn
lamb with blanded politeness, "tor if 20
will take the trouble to examine the currer
critically, you will observe that it flows lror
you to me, and that any disturbance of seC
iment here, would be, so tar as you are cor
cerned, entirely local"
Possibly you arc IlSh'j Ictulhcu "
wolf, "butif / am not mistaken, you are ii
person who, two years ago, used some inil'
ence against me at the primaries"
"Impossible," replied the lamb "tw
years ago | was not born"
"Ahl vel" )" added the wolf, composed,
81 am wrong again, But it must convince
very intelligent person who has listened
this conversation that am altogether insan
and consequently not responsible for my a
tions."
With this remark, he at once dispatch'
the lamb, and was triumphantly acquitted
MoRAL.-This fable teaches us how err
le neous may be the popular impression in !
&c gard TO the distribution of alluyium and
" formation of river deltas.--Bret Harte.