The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-05-15

miller who had an ass.
Ro~ which like other asses, had
very long ears, thick lips and a voice
that made the whole country res0und.
His fare was so poor and mean that he
was but skeleton, and could no longer
bear his burden. Then he was beaten
every day by the miller, who tried to
make him do what was beyond his
power. At last he ran away from his
master, and went long and far, till he
game to the foot Of mountain, so
verdant and pleasing In all things, that
he resolved to remain there for the
remainder OF his days.
He looked all around him to see If
there was anything to be feared and
then boldly ascended the mountain,
where at his pleasure he grazed upon
the fine grass before him, thanking
God that he had been delivered from
the hands of the wicked and cruel
tyrant of miller and put I'm sweet
grass up to his knees to sustain his
miserable life.
While he was satisfying his appetite,
v
greatly at the boldness of the ass In
having come to feed upon the noun
ain without license. And having never
before seen such an animal, the lion
was afraid of him and dared not pass
him at first.
the lion, was so much alarmed that his
hair bristled and stood up. He no
longer dared bend his neck to eat the
grass, nor even move from his place.
Finally, the lion, growing confident,
approached the ass and said to him:
"What are you doing here, comrade?
What has made you so bold as to come
here? Who are your
To whom the ass replied:
"And who are you yourself that ask
me this2"
Then the lion. astonishcd at this
proud reply, answered:
81 am the king of all the animals"
"What is your nameT" demanded the
ass.
"They call me lion. And what is
vour nameW
The ass with restored confidence, re-
Piled:
"They who know me call me Branca-
don"
Then the lion said to himself:
'"Truly, here is something | cannot
comprehend. This person must be
something more than | am." And ad-
dressing the ass. said:
"Brancalion, your name and words
show clearly that you ought to be
more powerful. robust and courageous
than am. Nevertheless. | am of the
opinion that we would better prove
each other"
ne turned his back upon the lion. threw
his hind legs into the air and brayed
yery furiously TO the great surprise of
the lion.
The evening now being at hand. the
don said to the ass:
"We will repose now, brother, and to-
morrow morning prove our strength
and skill. He who then shows himself
best able to do three things which /
shall propose, shall be lord of the
mountain"
To which the ass agreed.
The morning came. and they arose
and went forth in company till they
arrived ut a deep and wild ditch. Then
The lion said to the ass:
"Brancalion, i am your friend. but
shall never he AT rest till know your
power and skill. Do me the pleasure.
beseech you. now that the occasion
presents itself. TO let me see which of
rs can best leap this ditch" Saying
this. he bounded to the other side.
The ass did his best TO follow him.
but leaped SO awkwardly that he fen
npon great log in the middle OF the
ditch, where he was in great danger Of
death, his forefeet and head ON one
side. and the rest OF the body on the
Dther.
The lion. noticing the perilous con.
1itlon of the ass. cried out:
what are you doing. comrader'
But the poor ass was past answering
SO the lion, fearing he would die II
left TO hang there upon the log. de-
sceneded into the ditch and drew him
put
The ass, finding himself ont OF dan
ger. turned TO the lion and heaped upon
him all the abuse i'm his power. rhe
lion. astonished at this ungrateful con-
duct. asked why be thus upbraided him
when he had so kindly saved his life.
The ass. pretending to be angry, re-
piled With insolence:
"you vile and malicious creaturel
Do you ask me why ! upbraid you:
l wish you TO know that you have de-
prived me Of the greatest pleasure !
ever received. You thought perhaps
that was suffering. while | was
rnvished with delight"
"What kind OF lelightT' asked the
lion.
1T was on purpose that I landed OF
the log. my forefeet on one side aud
my hind feet on the other. that might
balance myself. and know which Is
heaviest. my head or my tail"
"You are indeed cunning creature. ("
answered the lion. II never would
have believed what I do Of you. II