Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-15
Il FABLE.
The jug and Plate.

BY r. E. H. T.
ave are being decorated l suppose, said the
Plate. THAT is what she calls 1t. was much
better before"
"oh, dear me! how can you think so?" said
the jug, looking down at the plate in lofty
way; SyOu must have been very common"
Common, 1ndeed!" the Plate glared broadly.
Il was clean. if that is common; was washed
and Shone; now am covered with this nasty
ohve-green paint-it smells so! ~
But don't you care for art?n said the jug,
towering In superior sort OF way.
art" said the Plate. quickly. ''What do
you mean by art2 I heard a great deal Of talk
art?"
..Iam," said the jug. "Didn't you know"
"Only green swans and blue leaves ON a red
ground thought it was more than that"
ION! WE'LL answered the jug, there are
other kinds but l am art all the same"
- 1t Is easy enough, then" said the Plate:
'sOur young lady did you in a morning, and
she seemed to splash good deal more than she
81 am not finished said the jug. "wait
until Signor Juliani sees me. He will touch me
YES, answered the Plate she always does
sWell you see,n said the jug, in confiden-
t1al way, 81 don't think she really cares much
to do it; everybody decorateS now.'
"Why?" asked the Plate, simply.
"Oh! because it is art, and art Is the thing to
dol" said the jug.
thing" objected the Plate; 81 don't want to hurt
your feelings, but you are not handsome. You
locked such nice, comfortable Seltzer-Water jug
before, and now you are"
"Oh." said the jug, testify, "tastes differ.
You are not educated Wait until our young
lady's friends see me!'
81 know what they think, )" said the Plate; "no
matter what they say. Some artists came to
supper last night and we were brought down
stairs for them to see. Our young lady was
rather afraid about us (she knew Juliani hadn't
n mn h91th nr mot hnr HQof
saying first to one, then another, Now, appeal
to you, are these not wonderful for first at
tempts?" They. all said: Very good; quite re-
markable," to her, but after awhile, when we
were put on sidetable and forgotten, one of the
artists said to another: ''GOOd heavens, Linard
did you ever see such awful messeS OF paint; it
makes me ILL"
This was a bitter blow.
The jug looked gloomily down at the Plate.
saying: 3" They know, then; l must have been
asleep. If they said that suppose we are not
"of course we are not" said the Plate. 'Now
you are sensible"
:. But what Is 1t then, should like to know?''
said the jug, impatiently; sit must be some
thing"
II am not sure about it." said the Plate.
'sYou have been abroad: it does not become me
to teach you; but l believe art says things.
saw picture down stairs; it made me happy
and gave me thoughts, even me! Itmeant some
thingLI think that's art Now you don't mean
Il dare say" said the jug, snappishly; ..you
have said that before. wish she had let me
alone now. l can't help myself; she ,rW do it,
Its great pity ladies do things Just for
fashion," said the Plate. Il wonder they don't
wait until they feel thing come and then learn
how TO dot so that people may. see what they
mean.''
"some might wait a good while,' said the
| jug.
but wouldn't it be better?' persisted the
Plate.
Nobody seems to think So" said the jug.
"Ah, Well" murlnured the Plate, 81 suppose
we must bear it. They will get tired and let us
alone after awhile that's one comfort. Fashions
change; art does nOt."-[Phila. Press.