The Indianapolis journal., 1903-03-22
The NiIes of the Fox
PART II.

Many persons have found that the best
way to get children interested in story
Is to tell only part of it at a time. So on
the first night OF the Easter vacation Uncle
Frank had related to the cousins the mis-
deeds of the fox and the charges that had
been brought against him He had told the
little folks, too, that Bruin the bear had
been chosen for the kings messenger.
Now. the fox had been shown TO be very
clever. and Bruin had boasted how he
would bring the rascal to court. And thus
It happened that on the next evening all
the children were early in their places,
waiting for their uncle to begin the tale of
how the bear went to bring Reynard to
court. Thus he commenced the story:
AFTER Bruin had quite finished Dragging
20 the king and his court how ne would
bring the rascally fox to trial. he set out
on his journey. The way was sandy and
long and tiresome; but the bear scarcely
noticed the hard road. so wrapped up was
be in thinking OF how much honor he would
get by catching Reynard.
LAY, ay,' he unused. I'll get him; I'll
get him. Boasts himself the trickiest fell
low in the woods, does he? think he'll
find his cousin Bruin more than a match
many another man. and he has never
harmed me. But justice must be done; and
II an honest fellow. like myself for instance.
gets some little honor in the capture, why,
it's the way OF the world
with such pleasant thoughts in his head
the bear made his way clumsily toward the
mountain where Reynard was wont to go
hunting. To-day. however. the shrewd fel-
too hard the day before. And so 1t hap
pened that the bear had to cross the noun
tain TO the castle Of Reynard, which was
called Death Trap by all the creatures of
the woods. 1t was cunningly built. All
about the great oaken door were little win
dows through which Reynard might see
who was knocking or might pour hot wa
ter upon an unfrfendly visitor. Beside the
main door, there were many others hidden
under leaves and bushes, out Of which the
fox had often escaped when enemies bad
forced their way into the castle. And il
other creatures entered these secret doors
when hard pressed by the hounds they were
never seen again.
"On this very morning, when the bear was
coming to the castle, Reynard sat at one Of
the little windows looking out over the
country TO see what was doing. Thus It
happened that he saw Bruin come suddenly
round the turn I'm the highway and walk
straight up to the door.
"'Ah, ha, whispered the fox to himself.
what's up?'
"His question was soon answered. The
bear knocked loudly once or twice, and
when nobody came to the door he was puz-
zled. Long he sat on the step, scratching
his head. Then a thought seemed to strike
him. Putting his hands to his mouth he
beloved:
Thou fascally fox, art thou az home ?
Behold in me the kings messenger, sent
TO bring thee for trial before his majesty.
For this great Office have been chosen for
my wit and courage. Take care that thou
come. and quickly, or thou shalt suffer for
the delay. i am not one to be trifed with
or put off. Come, follow me, take the
consequences
'Renyard, up at his little window, saw
and heard the whole affair. When the bear
had finished his speech the crafty fox
laughed gently and whispered:
How would it be, / wonder, IL paid
this clumsy fellow for his boasting? Let
me think a moment
His plan was quickly made, for hastily
he ran to the roof of the castle to see If
the bear had brought other officers with
him. But when he saw that Bruin was
quite alone he chuckled and went swiftly
TO his bedroom. In a moment he came
back. dressed in his nightgown. and with a
towel tied about his head. In such state
he went to the door and opened 1t. Bowling
low. he said to the astonished bear:
My dear cousin. I humbly beg your
pardon for keeping you so long waiting; but
/ have been i'll and can move but slowly
to-day To what do I owe the honor of
this visit?
''Then Bruin, who never suspected that
the fox had heard him before, told again
the story OF his purpose. When he had
finished the clever fox replied:
"T thank you, worthy cousin, for bring
ing rne this message. Surely I ought to
be at court to clear myself from these
false charges. But what shame ought to be
visited upon the king and his mobiles for
sending you upon this wearisome journey.
See, your hair is damp. your clothes are
soiled and you seem very tired. Had the
king no other servant, that he must send
YOU. the best and most honest fellow of
them all, upon this low errand? But, again.
Il
at court Tomorrow early we will set
out upon our journey. in spite OF my III
ness. For, indeed. am so poor that was
forced to eat food yesterday which al
ways makes me ILL But so we poor peo-
pie must live, eating what we can because
we cannot afford what we like
what was it made you so H.? asked the
bear.
what good will 1t do to mention the
nasty stuff?' returned the fox. am a
poor fellow, not a noble. But I bear my
suffering in patience. / know, at least,
that the food was honestly earned. which
not all men, even though kings, can say.
Even If 1t has made me III. I know that
the sickening honey was
Whats that? cried the bear. springing
up. Did you say honey? Do you call that
sickening stuff? Why, my friend, there Is
nothing in the world that-is quite so good
TO me as honey. / pray you, IL you have
any in the house, give me some. You will
never repent of IL. I'll return the favor
when you come to trial. Show me the
honeyr
You are joking answered Reynard
hiding a laugh behind his handkerchief.