Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-03-07

alIeT swinging IKE pendulum Tor
few minutes, finally alighted on the
right roof. Fastening the hobs so as to
secure his descent, he began the work
wrenching off the golden scales.
This he found no easy task. The
goldsmiths had riveted them so secure
ly that they defed his prying, and the
soft, tough metal could not be torn off.
He dared not make any clinking noise
with hammer or chisel, lest the senti-
nels should hear him. After what ap-
peared to be several hours work, he
had loosened only two scales, worth
scarcely more than fifty dollars.
10 make long story short, the man
was caught. The sentinels were awak-
ened, and the crime detected. The
rObber was sentenced to die a cruel
death-to be boiled in oil. His accom-
plices received various other degrees
of punishment. The Prince Of Dwarf
issued decree forbidding the flying of
any kites above a certain small size.
Henceforth the grand old kites which
the boys of the province had flown in
innocent fun were never more to be
seen.
AS for the big golden fish, it was af-
terward taken down from the castle in
Nagoya, and kept in the princes treas
ure house. When [ saw it, it was in
Toxic at the museum. It was after
ward taken to Vienna and exhibited at
the exposition in 1873.-St. Nicholas.
The Owl that Thought He Could Sing.
"What can bring people into the
groves to hear the nightingales sing?"
said an owlet to his mother.
The old owl didn't care and she didn't
know-she was busy watching bat.
Il am sure [ have as fine voice as
any nightingale, and far stronger"
"Stronger, certainly, my son." said
the owl with blink, for the bat had
escaped.
81 shall 60 into the grove tonight
and give them song" said the owlet
The owl opened her round eyes very
wide, but said nothing
Accordingly, when night came and
the hour for the sweet thrilling of the
singing birds drew near, he flew heavily
along, and placed himself in a conspic-
uous part of the grove that he might
be seen and heard to a proper advan-
tage.
Now, the nightingales did not by any
means admire the prospect of either
his company or his cooperation in
their concert; SO those who were bent
on singing sought another grove, while
those who were content to be quiet for
the night kept snugly at roost.
"Where can the nightingales be?"
said the people who came to hear
them.
Upon this the owlet set up a boot so
loud and so long that it nearly fright
ened them into fits.
"That creature has terrified them
and scared them all away" said one; II
will soon dispatch him. Where's my
gum"
But the disconnected owlet took the
hint, and before the gun came he had
got back to his mother.
"Your feathers are ruff1ed, my son.
Have you been singing?"
The owlet reluctantly related his dis
grace and narrow escape.
1T is just what I expected, and Pm
glad you are safe back"
"Then why did you suffer me to go ?"
said the owlet, Indignantly.
g Because / was sure it was point
on which nothing but experience could
convince you. I don't understand mu-
sic, and cannot tell why people should
take the trouble to go and her nightin-
gales sing and at the same time shoot
owls for hooting, but I know it to be
fact. There is much difference between
our voices, which I can myself discern
every time Ishoot. Ours my be supe-
rior, for anything know; but as the
prejudice of the public mind is strong
on the other side, [ shouldn't think of
disputing the point; and, probably, now
you have experienced the effect of your
performance on their ears, you will
be satisfied, with me, to leave them
alone in their mistake. "-Mrs. Presser's
Fables.