The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-05-26
fur tbe CHILDREN.
FripscO's Lesson.

/ am not sure that there are not some
boys like Fripsco, for that was his
funny name. AT least his story sounds
much like that of boy or two whom |
have known. Fripsco had good home
and everything in plenty. His father
and mother loved him very much, for
he was their oldest son. He had cheese
to nibble on and a nice run to gallop up
and down on all day if he liked, quite
safe from any monstrous cat But this
ungrateful mouse boy was not happy.
He thought he must see the world. He
imagined it was ever so much finer
than his own snug home. His father
and mother entreated him to stay with
them. But no, he must see the world.
Go he would and go he did.
When Papa and Mamma Mouse found
nothing would stop him they let him
go. His mamma wept as she babe him
farewell.
Fripsco mounted a trained rat for his
horse and rode away as big as Pompey!
He placed dewdrop in his plumed
hat, so that it shone like diamond. He
took brier thorn for his sword and
sharp piece of wire for his lance, and
thus, with sword, lance and plume, he
pranced gayly oil.
He rode and rode all day long with
out meeting any adventure. AT night
he was very tired, and he saw an inn
with sign on it which said: " For Tired
Mice" Now Fripsco did not know
whether it was good inn or bad one.
He had had no experience, and how
could he tell? But he rode up to the
door with great flourish. He dis
mounted, and threw his bride to a
hostler who stood by
"Here," said he, "get fine feed of
meal for my horse, and give him good
rubbing down."
He tried to talk very big, as he
imagined man would. Then the
mouse boy went into the house and
talked bigger yet.
Bring me very good dinner" said
this foolish Fripsco, in toploftical kind
of voice. "I've got plenty of money
and want the very best of everything"
He had his dinner. He stuffed him
self till he had stomach-ache, stuffed till
he was sure to have nightmare when
he went to sleep. Then he got into
bed. Fripsco had turned off his gas,
and was Just beginning to feel that the
sandman was coming to powder his
eyes when he heard voices whispering
outside his door. He has money!"
they said. 8" heard him tell the clerk
500 Then every hair stood upon end,
and he could have squeaked with fright,
but he did not dare. He heard them
open the door softly. "Ill jump out
the window" thought Fripsco. "I'll
do it if it breaks my neck"
He did so, but the moment he touched
the ground he found himself in the
hands of three strange mouse men.
They were policemen, and thought he
had been stealing. He was almost
frightened to death because there were
burglars in his room.
You are our prisoner" said the
largest, in deep, grutf voice. They
bound him fore paw and hind paw with
cords till he squeaked in pain. Then
they went through his pockets and took
every cent of money from him. Then
two of them led him to prison. He lay
all night upon hard bench in stone
cell. They tried him next day, and he
had not friend in the crowd. They
sentenced him to go to prison and do
all the meanest work for the mice
Fripsco was very unhappy, and schemed
night and day how he could get out
He was quite satisfied now that his own
home was the incest place in the world
But he was cute, bright mouse, and
was too smart to let his cruel masters
know that he was thinking of escape
He was very good and docile, and die
all he was told in the best way. So by
and by they let him have little more
liberty. He did not try to run away
and next they gave him still more lib
erty. Then one fine morning FripscC
skipped out and went home as fast as
his paws could carry him. He had NJ
rat horse now, and had to trudge or
foot, but he was very glad to do ever
that. He reached home all ragged an6
soiled, with his feet blistered and thu
hair scratched off him. But they were
so glad to see him that they neve
scolded him one bit. AS for Fripsco
he lived happy at home ever after. HI
had had quite enough of seeing thu
world.-Selected