Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-05
FABLES OF TOYLAND.
The Cnassuming Jack-in- the Box.
BY W. L. LARNED.

Covered with the cobwebs and both vic
tins Of long neglect the Jack-in- the Box
and the Spring Lamb sat side by side. This
was in very obscure part of the attic.
where children scarcely ever cared to go.
and in consequence 1t looked very much
as il the two toy friends would remain
there until the childrens children should
discover them.
i certainly regret to see that you so
mild in your Manners said the Spring
Lamb one evening. Those rats have been
playing all over you fer days now. and you
agreeaby submit to it without a protest |
can understand sweet amiabiiity and a de-
sire to meet the trails of this world with
forttude, but you take things too far"
The Jack-in-the-Bo Box made no reply: he
was wise enough TO realize that q life in the
attic had made the Spring Lamb some what
oyspepic and sour. Argument would have
gone no further than his own red banded
box.
Take a lesson from ME-" went on the
Spring Lamb, with evident irritation DO
/ allow familiarity? Not a bit CT it! Wher-
ever the members of that detestable Mouse
FAMILY NEEDLE with me I'D l Jump and
brighten them away. AS for YOU-you let
ihen crawl over you and around you with
out wink of the eye"
Even as he SPOKE Mr. and Mrs Mouse
"ith quite sa,nering of youngs ters. came
OUT OF a mole III the moor and went squeak
ing across 20 the Jack-in-the- BOX Tor a
pay.
JUST stay here awhile and amuse your
serves sad MRS. Mouse, waving a warn
ing with ner tiny fCOt. Don't IueucIe with
an! tL-hS tnat d esnt concern you and
aooNe ali else, 90 noe ii!inK OF tuucnIng the
pant on yonder boX-two OF my ne gnpor's
SilifIItn went INTO
day -
1t has grown to be quite a custom nova
ua9s Ior young people to aIsoDcy their
parents, and this iauI is not confined To
t"o-leSged creatures for no sooner had
nf- ana Mrs. Mouse gone Gown into the
next wall than their uisoGeu.snt orrspring
maze running start for Mr.. Jack n-the
BOX and began ,asting the paint with
which his severe woouen ve1coat was
made was
The Spring Lamb began to smoker.
knew 1t. he declared, calling across
the darkened attic room. Il Knew itSyou are
fuil-fedged grandfather for every ami
mated creature III this section, be it mouse
or silver bug. Look at em-they're gnaw-
ing at you in the most impudent fashion
imaginable.
All went very well with the infant mem
oers or the mouse family, until in their
mlschievous nibbing, little Willie Mouse
UNASSIGNED the catch that held down the
top or the box With all the concentrated
action or a year of confinement, Jack
pushed himself upward, and lo.-four wee
mice were sent dying against the rafters
amid tangle of spider webs An hour
later when Mr.. and Mrs. Mouse returned
lof their children they found that three
were lame and one had been bitten by Sir
SPIDER as 1t hung, head downward, from
the web. ~
The Spring Lamb gave no more lectures
he looks with the greatest respect upon his
neisnpor; Tor now even silver bugs walk
by the ceillng-road when they want to cross
the room.
Mofal-Because some people are most
Agreeable to Us and permit of MANY in
conveniences In their good nature do not
suppose that they will stand for everything.
When you play with an innocent little toy
be careful that you do not strike the sprine.