Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-10-24
New Series, Vol. 20, No 4S.
ELECTION TUESDAY. NOV. 5th.

bamboo poles, spin the platters on tn,
end of their chopsticks, turn somersault,
and walk on their heads. One char
rolled out big painted barrel, started
it off, and then jumping upon it, ran on
it as it rolled round the room without
once falling off
Suddenly one fellow, who was hang
ing from a swing by his hind feet,
swooped uown, seized ror-tu, and swung
him almost up to. the ceiling, frighten-
ing him almost to death. But he was
set down all right, and when he got his
breath he thought he rather liked it.
When the uproar was over. the host
said to Tor-tu, 81 was so impolite as not
to answer your question few moments
ago. We are of the family of Acromice,
and our mission on this earth is to
amuse the people. We think the world
is altogether too slow and solemn, and
we mean to get up little excitement"
"Why, then, 1 must be one of you,"
exclaimed Tor-tu; ''for that is exactly
what have thought myself, and it was
to find just such people as you that 1
started on my journey. 1 fear, however,"
he continued sadly, "that am too clum-
sy and awkward to be ever a successful
acromouse,"
"Oh, no, you're not" said the big fel-
low, with a wink at his COMPANY
"Wen put you in training; you'll be as
active as any of US. l presume" he
added, in a a-cautious way, 'that so fine
gentleman as you yourself must have
some money with yOu?"
"Oh, yesl" said Tor-tu; al have
brought a bag of gold with me-"
"Ah, that is well. We will take care
of it for you, and tomorrow you shall |
have your first lesson" said the other.
1t would be too long a story to tell all |
of Tor-tu's experiences he was
made the victim of these dishonest Jug
glers, who had seen from the first what
an innocent young fool he was. After
getting all his money, they next took
away his fine robes, and gave him, in
stead, some tawdry stuff, such as Tor-tu
would have scorned to wear at home.
They made him the butt of numerous
cruel pranks, until finally he became
very tired of it all, and wished himself
at home again.
One morning he got up sore and lame
from, the numerous tumbles he had had
and wandered away by himself to think
over his unhappy lot. He walked fur
ther than he intended. While thinking
deeply he came upon an old gray head
ed mouse, who looked at him sharply
and said: "Are you not Tor-tu, who left
Han-Ki-Pan some time ago?"
''Yes," answered Tor-tu, sadly, II am
grieved to say am"
'Then you have not found the world
rs gay place as you expected?'
Tor-tu felt so disconsolate and home
sick that he sat down and told the old
mouse all about it."
When he had finished, the old fellow |
shook his head, and said, very gravely:
MY son, you have made the same mis- I
.ake that hundreds have made before {
of thinking that shining scales
make fine fish. / know these people l
They are not only the commonest of
Ill tribes of mice, but most of them
you never to go near them again.
Let them keep your money and your
clothes at the cost of your experience" t
Tor-tu concluded to take the advice 1
If the old mouse, who, he discovered, I
erved his father years before. He was '
greatly humiliated to be compelled to
eturn home in such a wretched condi- /
ion, but his friends received him kind 1
y, and the lesson, though a dear one,
vas one which he never forgot.
Ever since then there has been pro- |
-erb, can honest mouse in gray coat
$ better than knave in a red cloak" l