The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-09-15

pursuit of pleasure than ever did to
please my wife or support my family.
l found myself in the situation OF top
which cannot stand without good
whipping, and so came back for my
pack again"
Next in order came the childless
couple and the couple having many
children, who exchange their lots once
more, one declaring that children gave
more trouble than pleasure; the other
that the cares and anxieties Of the parent
were doubly repaid by that pleasure of
possessing these pledges of love. "Of
all the vexations of this world" ex-
claimed the first, "cross, disobedient
children are the worst" "and of all the
enjoyments of this world" cried the
second, "there is nothing equal to the
smiles and endearments of infancy"
They were followed by the king and
the beggar, the former of whom retained
little, and the latter had acquired much
of the air noble.
"Well" said the goddess, inquir-
ingly.
"Let me be king once more," said
the monarch; "though in some respects
there is no great difference between us.
Both are beggars, having nothing but
what they derive from the labors of
others. The king is, however, beggar
in greater sense, and that makes the
station more dignified."
"Give me my pack again, >" said the
beggar, "for may be phlebotamized-
that is to say, bitten to death by fieas-if
L had not rather eat crumbs out of my
hat, sleep under sky blanket, and wear
my birthday suit all the year, than take
the trouble of governing such a dis
orderly, discontented, disobed;ent set of
rascally Democrats as now make the task
of governing mankind, which was for
merly as easy as kiss your hand, rather
more than driving a herd of swine.
Come, my old fliend," continued he,
shouldering his pack and limping away
after his majesty, of whom he begged
charity in the most earnest and affecting
manner.
The rich man and the poor laborer
came next, and seemed to have exchang-
ed persons as well as lots, for the former
looked hard and scanty, while the latter
had become bilious and bloated, and
halted marvelously in his gait. They
rc-exchanged their lots with apparently
equal satisfaction.
"When I was rich," said the first, "I
lacked appetite but then I had plenty
of food, which, on the whole, is better
than being hungry and having nothing
to eat"
"When 1 was poor" said the other,
"to be sure lacked leisure and food,
but when 1 became rich / was still
worse, for l had neither appetite nor
rest. 1t cost me more labor to digest
one dinner than to earn a dozen, and,
instead of sleeping quietly, 1 was con-
stantly ridden by the nightmare, which
is ten times worse than walking on foot
all day. Besides, had got bad tenn
per in exchange for good one, and was
always fretting at something. Then this
confounded toe of mine all, what O
twinge |" exclaimed he, making marvel
Gus wry face, and snatching up the pack
which the other had thrown away, walked
off with firm step to his daily labor.
After these had retired, the wise man
and the fool approached.
"I am sick of having nothing to think
of" said the one.
"I am tired of always thinking" ex-
claimed the other. "Since 1 became
wise, I find myself only the more con-
scious of my ignorance, and my sole
amusement is in laughing at those fools
who pass their whole lives in learning
much and knowing nothing. Give me
my cap and bells. Good-by wisdom and
welcome folly" So saying he departed,
making enormous grimaces and cutting
the most stupendous capers.
Even the immortal Jove could not for
bear smiling at this exhibition, and was
indulging his merry humor, when there
approached the aged man, with venera-
BILE countenance and long white beard
sweeping down over his breast, on whom
had been bestowed the knowledge OF
futurity.
"Thou mayest remember, Oh mighty
Jupiter" said he, "that exactly one year
ago, l, in the presumptuous Ignorance
of my soul, begged of thee the gift OF
knowledge of the future as well as of the
past and present. Thou didst graciously
grant my request, and, like yonder fool,
went my way rejoicing. But ever
since that hour / have enjoyed neither
peace nor rest. The recollections of the
past, the happiness of the present, are
all swallowed up in the contemplation OF
the future, and the dread anticipation OF
train of certain evils and sufferings
that pass like grim specters before my
aching eyes, foretelling and foredoom-
ing unutterable woes to come. Take
back thy gift, Oh mighty Jove and lei
me be blind as before !"
Jupiter shook his ambrosial curls and
gave the nod of fate. The old man
seemed relieved of a mighty burden,
but, after standing a few moments,
sighed and said, "Alas what now re-
mains for an old man like me |"
"To be content with thy lot in this
world, and deserve better if thou canst
cried Jupiter, in a voice so loud and
dread that it aroused Hakim from his
revery, and, seeing that darkness had
gathered around, he knocked the ashes
out of his pipe and returned to the city
pondering on his dream.
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