The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1875-06-17
BRET HARTEs IMPROVED EsOP
For Intelligent Modern Children.
I. THE FOX AND THE GRAPES.


A thirsty fox one day, in passing
through a vineyard, noticed that the
grapes were hanging in clusters from
vines which were trained from such
height as to be out of his reach.
"Ah," said the fox, with supercil-
ious smile, GIVE heard of this before.
In the twelfth century an ordinary fox
of average culture would have wasted
his strength and energy in the vain at
tempt to reach yonder sour grapes.
Thanks to my knowledge of vine cul
ture, however, l 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 necessity, impoverish
the grape, and render it unworthy the
consideration of an intelligent animal.
Not any for me, thank you" With
these words, he coughed slightly and
withdrew.
Moral: This fable teaches us that an
intelligent discretion and some botanical
knowledge are of the greatest importance
in grape culture.
II. THE FOX AND THE sToRK.
A fox one day invited a stork to din
ner, but provided for the entertainment
only the first course-soup. This being
in a shallow dish, of course the fox
Tapped up readily, but the stork, by
means of his long bill, was unable to
gain mouthful.
"You do not seem fond of SOUP" said
the fox, concealing smile in bis napkin.
''Now, it is one of my greatest weak
nesses."
You certainly seem to project your
self outside of large quantity" said
the stork, rising with some dignity,
and examining his watch with great
empressment "but have an appoint
ment at s o'clock which had forgot
ten. I must ask to be excused. Au
revoir. By the way, dine with me to-
The fox assented, arrived at the ap-
pointed time, but found, as he fully
expected, nothing on the table but a
single long-necked bottle, containing
olives, which the stork was completely
extracting by the aid of his long bill.
"Why, you do not seem to eat any
hing" said the stork, with great
naviete, when he had finished the
bottle.
"No," said the fox, significantly, "I
am waiting for the second course"
"What is that 2" asked the stork
blandly.
"Stork stuffed with Olives" shrieked
the fox, in very pronounced manner,
and Immediately dispatched him.
Moral-True hospitality obiges the
host to sacrifice himself for his guests.
III. THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
A wolf, one day drinking from run
ming stream, observed lamb also drink
ing from the same stream, at some dis
tance from him.
81 have yet to learn" said the wolf,
addressing the lamb with dignifed sew
Gritty, "what right you have to muddy
the stream from which I am drink
ing"
Your premises are incorrect" re-
piled the lamb, with bland politeness,
"for if you will take the trouble to ex-
anime the current critically, you will
observe that 1t flows from you to me,
and that any disturbance of sediment
here would be, SO far as you are con-
cerned, entirely local."
POSSIBLY you are right, returned
the wolf, "but if 1 am not mistaken,
you are the person who, two years ago,
used some influence against me at the
primaries.
Impossible, replied the lamb; ''twc
years ago was not born"
"Ah! weD," added the wolf, com
posedly, 81 am wrong again. But i
must convince every intelligent person
who has listened to this conversation
that I am altogether insane, and con
sequently not responsible for my &c
tions."
With this remark he at once dis
patched the lamb, and was triumphantly
acquitted.
Moral: This fable teaches us hov
erroneous may be the popular impres
sion in regard to the distribution o
alluvirm and the formation of rive
deltas,