The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-06-06
5Miscrll anruus.
UtTHNHHtUWN va
The Fountain and the Oak.

In one of those beautiful meadows some
times found in the very heart of the forest
grew mighty oak tree, beneath the spread
ing branches of which lay little pool O
cool and pure water. So broad was th
shadow of the oak, and delightfully."- cold ant
refreshing the little fountain, that all tn,
animals of the surrounding thickets used t.
come out into the meadow every day Il
drink and enjoy the breeze.
| The great oak never minded their presence
for his head was always turned toward TIL,
sun, and his thoughts were always busy will
what took place in the upper air; but TIL,
little fountain, having nothing else to do
took great interest in the flowers and fern,
that grew upon her margin, and laughed
with pride when the animals came to drinl
and battle in her pool.
| Things went on this way for many years
The oak and the fountain were both happ,
in their way aud neither interfcrcd with tn,
other but, at length, the two began to grow
old, and some of his long arms died Thci
branches being brittle, could no longer bcal
the wind to blow upon them, but woult
break off with every little gust and come
| tumbling down into the meadow, upon til,
grasses and flowers and ferns, and even into
the pool itself.
| The fountain was very angry at this treat
ment and began to complain most bitterly
and though she had the sympathy of the
| flowers and ferns, she could never attract
the attention of the tree, and hence for {
long time her complaints did her no good
She persisted, however, and one day, wher
the air was sultry and the sun had gone be
meath cloud, he lowered his proud head tt
see how things were coming on below, and
noticing that the water was troubled, asked
kindly what was the matter
"Matter!' cried the spring "surcly, yor
must know how you have been abusing me
without any just cause or right. | lived her,
centuries before you were ever heard of. M,
water gives life to you and all the other in
habilants of the meadow; and yet you trca
me as if am of no importance %
| "IIey day p answered the oak, with an an
| cry wave of his branches, you must not b.
50 saucy. Ifyou don't appreciate my pleas
ant shade, you can flow somewhere else
And he once more raised his head beyond
the reach OF her voice, and the fountain hat
to content herself with the sympathy of TIL,
| flowers and ferns.
Things were in this unpleasant state il
the meadow for long time, and would hav,
remained so, perhaps, TO this day, had not
fox CHANGED to stop ut the pool to reircsl
himself, and heard the murmurs of TIL,
water.
"You are very foolish spring." said he
after listening to the story of her wrongs
"Now, were l In your place, should hav'
revenge"
"Revenge" said the fountain. IL neve
heard of that before. How am to get it p
ooh Just stop flowing for month o
two" laughed the fox, "and you will get al
you want"
The fountain being anxious to learn wha
this unheard of pleasure was like, hastene,
to take the advice of her wicked counsellor
stopped her waters from flowing from GU
the earth, and thus they were compelled I,
soak into the soil about the roots of her enc
my, soon rendering it soft and marshy.
The time fixed by the fox for the comm,
of revenge had almost expired, when a beaV
CT stopped by the side of the pool and findin,
it empty, called loudly for his old friend.
Here l am p answered the fountain frou
beneath the ground. "IIcre nm, seeking
revenge against the oak" And she told d
her wrongs and the advice of the fox.
beware what you do" said the beaver
81 have never tasted revenge but am toll
that the fruit il bears is always bitter Fol
give the oak he no longer throws dow
dead limbs your waters have given him ne,
life, and you have now no cause for CON
plant
ii do not care" replied the fountain, 9Th
fox promised me revenge, and shall wa
and see what il is like"
So she continued to loosen the roots of Oh
great tree until one day, when the wind wa
higher than usual, he came tumbling dow
and lay humbed and dying upon the gras
Then she laughed, joyfully, and said
"This must certainly he revenge! will G
forth and triumph over my fallen foe" An
she gathered her waters and rushed forth i
high gee, but alas only TO mourn over he
folly.
The oak in his fill had torn up the groun
for yards around; his great trunk lay in llt
little channel, and her pool was full of cart
and leaves.
"Ahw sighed the fountain, al have gon
too far in my search for revenge, and hav
now reached destruction" And she bega
to flow aimlessly. around over the meade,
which soon became a stagnant marsh, I'll
home of muskrats, frogs and snakes.
well" said the beaver, one day from I'll
among the branches of the tree, you hay
killed your enemy, but, even in death, he
happier than you; for he is still useful--ll
furnishes me lumber for my new DAM Will
you ARE nuisance TO the whole forest"
A RETIRING MAN.--"Unclc Pete, wei