The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-04-21
The N. Y. World Fables.
THE VAIN RHINocERos.

A Rhinoceros who was drinking at a
limpid Stream observed therein the reflected
image of his Horn and Legs. "Alas p'
quoth he, shat an animal with such mas
sive Legs should be disfgured by so in
significant Horn p At this moment his
medtations were interrupted by the baying
Of pack Of Hounds. Away he fled, but
his Legs refused to convey him with sufficient
speed, and turning round as the bayiDg pack
gained on him he disseminated crude saus
age-meat and driving gloves over that
section of the continent. 81 see" he cried
ious firmament on high, 'that the Legs l
admired would have proved my ruin had
not my despised Horn insured my safety"
Moral.-Some people don't know what's
good for them.
THE MISSIONARY AND THE TIGER.
As a pious Missionary was travelling
through the Jungle, he chanced to observe
Leopard lying under Plantain Tree.
Being undesirous of intrudiug upon the
animals privacy, he made wide detour,and
wss so unfortunate as to encounter beneath
lofty Bamboo Tiger. "What do you
here?' demanded the fierce Animal, in an
angry voice. ut is rather / who should
ask that question" replied the Missionary
"for / left you but a moment since beneath
that Plantain, and now here you are again,
whereas the Scripture expressly teaches you
that the Leopard cannot change his spots"
"It does" replied the Tiger; but am
creature of quite another stripe."- say
ing hesprang upon the Missionary and de-
voured him.
MoraI-There are exceptions to every
general rule.
THE OSTRICH AND THE HEN.
An Ostrich and Hen chanced to occupy
adjacent apartments, and the former COM
planned loudly that her rest was disturbed
by the cackling of her humble neighbor.
"Why is it." she finally asked the Hen,
'that you make such an intolerable noise ?"
The Hen replied, because l have laid an
egg" 20, no." said the Ostrich, with
superior smile, sit is because you are Hen
and don't know any better" EtE
Morak-The Moral of the foregoing is not
very clear, but it contains some reference to
the agitation for Female Suffrage.
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE.
A Venetian merchant who was lolling in
the lap of luxury was accosted upon the
Rialto by friend who had not seen him
for many months. "How is this 2" cried the
latter, "when last saw you your gaberdine
was Qua at elbows, and now you sail in your
own g!0ndola." "True," replied the Mer-
chskf, Shut since then l have met with
with my creditors for ten cents ON the dol
lar"
Mordi.-Compositio is the life of trade.
The CENTIPEDE AND THE BARBARIC
YAK.-While centipede was painfully
toiing over the Lbyan desert he was en-
countered by barbaricyak. who scornfully
humble creature made no reply at the time,
but some days later found the barbaric yak
taken in the nets of hunter, almost devour-
ed by insects, which fled at the approach OF
the centipede. "Help, help, my good friendl
exclaimed the unfortunate beast, 81 car
not move muscle in these cruel tolls, ant
the ravenous insects have well-nigh devour
ed my delicate flesh" "Say you so ?" respon
ded the centipede. "Can you really not de
fend YOURSELF" "Alas how can ?" replie'
the yak. "See you not how strait I am bound?
"And is your flesh, then, 50 delicate?" at
is, though say it who should not" "Then,
said the centipede, 81 guess I'll take bit'
myself"
Mo'ai-The other mans extremity is of
ten our opportunity.