Page 113 - Webster's Speller

FABLE 4.
THE PARTIAL JUDGE.
A farmer came to a neighboring lawyer, expressing great concern for an accident, which he said had just happened. “One of your oxen,” continued he, “has been gored by an unlucky bull of mine, and I should be glad to know how I am to make you reparation.” “Thou art a very honest fellow,” replied the lawyer, “and wilt not think it unreasonable that I expect one of thy oxen in return.” “It is no more than justice,” quoth the farmer, “to be sure; but what did I say? – I mistake – it is your bull that has killed one of my oxen.” “Indeed!” says the lawyer, “that alters the case: I must inquire in- to the affair; and if –“ “And if!” said the farmer; “the business I find would have been concluded without an if, had you been as ready to do justice to others as to exact it from them.”
FABLE 5.
THE CAT AND THE RAT.
A certain cat had made such unmerciful havoc among the vermin of her neighborhood that not a single rat or mouse venture to appear abroad. Puss was soon convinced that if affairs remained in their present state, she must ere long starve. After mature deliberation, therefore, she resolved to have re- course to stratagem. For this purpose, she suspended herself from a hook with her head downward, pretending to be dead. The rat and mice, as they peeped from their holes, observing her attitude, concluded she was hanging for a misdemeanor, and with great joy immediately sallied forth in quest of their prey. Puss, as soon as a sufficient number were collected together, quit- ting her hold, dropped into the midst of them; and very few had the fortune to make good their retreat. The artifice having succeeded so well, she was encouraged to try the event a second time. Accordingly, she whitened her coat all over rolling herself in a heap of flour, and in this disguise she lay concealed in the bottom of a meal tub. The stratagem was executed in gen- eral with the same effect as the former. But an old experienced rat, altogeth- er as cunning as his adversary, was not so easily insnared. “I don’t quite like,” he said, “that white heap yonder. Something whispers me there is mis- chief concealed under it. “Tis true, it may be meal, but it may likewise be something I should not relish quite as well. There can be no harm at least in keeping at a proper distance; for caution, I am sure, is the parent of safety.”
112