The Mineral argus., 1883-10-25
H OLD WOLF.
A Story In Seven Fables from the Ger
man OF Losing.

~ a v
on a friendly footing with the shepherds.
He, therefore, betook himself to the
shepherd whose locks we're nearest to
his den.
shepherd" said he, thou callest
me the bloodthirsty robber, which 1
really am not. OF course | must keen
myself alive with thy sheep, if am hum
CRY, for hunger causes suffering. Pro-
tect me from hunger, only satisfy me,
and thou shall be well pleased with me,
for l am really the tamest, gentlest ami
NAL when am satisfied"
when thou art satisfied? That NAV
be" replied the shepherd. "But when
art thou satisfied? Thou and covetous-
ness never are. Go thy way!"
The wolf, thus repulsed, came TO a
second shepherd.
Thou knowest, shepherd" said he,
addressing him, 'that | could kill many
sheep OF thine during the year. But II
thou wilt give me six sheep every year
| will be satisfied. Then thou canst
safely sleep and dismiss Thy dogs with
out hesitation"
six sheep" replied The shepherd.
"Why, .hat's a whole flock!'
well, since it is, then, l will content
u1htll WIN nNCt Edlu inc WOI.
Thou art joking; five sheepl 1
yearly to Pan"
Nor for?" asked the wolf, further;
and the shepherd shook his head scorn.
fully. Three? Two?"
"Not a single one!' was the final re-
ply. "For il would be foolish, indeed.
for me to put myself under tribute to an
enemy from whom | a protect myself
by my watchfulness."
III.
Three is a lucky number thought the
wolf, and came to a third shepherd.
at touches me very deeply" he said.
'that / am decried among you shep-
herds as the most cruel and the most
uncopscientious creature. | will now
show thee what wrong is done me. Give
me one sheep a year and thy flock may
pasture free and unframed in that for
est, which nc one but myself makes in
secure. One sheep! What a trifel
Could | act more generously, more I'M
seltishly? Thou art laEghing, shepherd, |
What art thou laughing about?
"Oh about nothing. But how old art
thou, good friend2" said the shepherd.
"What concern is my age to thee? 1
am always old enough to kill thy choic.
lambs"
Don't get angry old growler. 1 an
sorry that thou contest a few wears too
late with thy proposition. Thy worn.
teeth betray the Thou art PLAYING
the part OF an unselish Yellow so as to
be supported more comfortably and
with less danger"
".
The wolf was out of humor. but
down and went on to the fourth
shepherd, whose faithful dog had lust
died, and the wolf profted by the cir.
cumstance.
shepherd" said he, 81 have fallen
out with my brethren in the forest so
badly indeed that l shall never be rec
with them. Thou knowest how
much thou hast to fear themi Ii thou
Wilt take me into thy service in place OF
dead dog, | will guarantee that they
will not even squint at thy sheep"
Then thou wilt" replied the shep-
herd, protect them against thy brethren
the forest?"
''Of course! What else could 1
That wouldn't be bad. But If I took
hee into my tiocks, tell me, who would
hen protect my poor sheep against
hee? To take a thief in o our houses
. order to make us safe against thieves
'utsiie the house, we men consider"
i hear enough, said the wolf, "thou
to mOraliZe. Fare thee WE'LL"
v. /
"IfI were not so oldr7 said the wolf.
his teeth. "But | must, un-
adapt myself to the times"
Ind then he came to the fifth shepherd.
"Dost thou know me, shepherd"
sked the wolf.
AT least l know thy kind" replied
he shepherd.
MY kind? I doubt it greatly. l am
D singular a wolf that lam quite worthy
( thy friendship and of all shepherds " ,
And how singular art thou?" :
Il would not kill and eat a live sheep. Z
ven II 1t should cost me my life. l on !
? feed on dead sheep. Is not that
raise worthy Permit me, therefore.
, stop nov aud then with thy flock and
, inquire"
Spare thy words" said the shepherd 7
Thou must not devour any sheep, not
ven dead ones, il thou wouldst NOT q
ave me for an enemy. An animal that :
cts far enough to eat nv dead sheep f;
asily learns, when hungry, TO consider :
sheep as dead ones aud healthy !
nes as sick. Do not, then, therefore, $
punt upon my friendship. but gol" '
VI. q
Il must now do my very best to acorn 4
lish my purposel' thought the wolf. 5
ld came TO the sixth shepherd. a
Shepherd, how does my Pursuit thee?D z
Thy fur" asked the shepard. LET
e sesl 1t is handsome; the dogs could r
lt often have got the better Of thee" q
Well, listen, shepherd; l arnold. and o
III not run about much longer. Feed 5
e until my death and I will will thee v
y skin" !
"Indeed, said the shepherd. erhou c
{ as cunning As any old miser. No, no, q
~ skin would AZ last cost M 60. ri