But they went down to the place to drive him away. when they got there, they found to their surprise not only a jackal, but a camel who was eating the sugarcanes! This made them very angry and they caught the poor camel, and drove him from the field, and beat him until he was nearly dead. When they had gone, the Jackal said to the Camel, "We had better go home." And the Camel said, "Very well, then jump upon my back as you did before." So the Jackal jumped upon the Camel's back, and the Camel began to recross the river. When they had got well into the water, the Camel said, "This is a pretty way in which you have treated me, friend Jackal. No sooner had you finished your own dinner than you must go yelping about the place loud enough to arouse the whole village, and bring all villagers down to beat me black and blue and turn me out of the field before I had eaten two mouthfuls! What in the world did you make such a noise for?" "I don't know," said the Jackal. "It is a custom I have. I always like to sing a little after dinner." The Camel waded on through the river. The water reached upto his knees-then above them-up, up, up, higher and higher, until he was obliged to swim. Then turning to the Jackal he said, "I feel very anxious to roll." "O, pray don't; why do you wish to do so?" asked the Jackal. "I don't know," answered the Camel : "it is a custom I have. I always like to have a little roll after dinner." So saying, he rolled over in the And the water, shaking the Jackal off as he did so. Jackal was drowned, but the Camel swam safely ashore.* From Old Deccan Days, by Mary Frere. A GENTLEMAN AND A BOY. A boy was one day sitting on the steps of a door. He had a broom in one hand and in the other a large piece of bread and butter, which somebody had kindly given him. While he was eating it, and merrily humming a tune, he saw a poor little dog quietly sleeping not far from him. He called out to him, "Come here, poor fellow!" The dog, hearing himself kindly spoken to, rose, pricked up his ears and wagged his tail. Seeing the boy eating, he came near him. The boy held out to him a piece of his bread and butter. As the dog stretched out his head to take it, the drew back his hand and hit him a hard rap on the nose. The poor dog ran away, howling most dreadfully, while the cruel boy sat laughing at the mischief he had done. boy hastily A gentleman who was looking from a window on the other side of the street saw what the wicked boy had done. Opening the street door, he called him to cross over; at the same time, holding up a sixpence between his finger and thumb. "Would you like this?" said the gentleman. "Yes, if you please, Sir," said the boy, smiling; and he hastily ran over to seize the money. Just at the moment that he stretched out his hand, he got so severe a rap on the knuckles, from a cane which the gentleman had behind him, that he roared out like a bull! "What did you do that for?" said he, making a very long face and rubbing his hand. "I didn't hurt you, nor ask you for the sixpence." "What did you hurt that poor dog for just now?" said the gentleman. "He didn't hurt you, nor ask you for your bread and butter. As you served him I have served you. Now remember, dogs can feel as well as boy, and learn to behave kindly towards dumb animals in future." -"ROYAL READERS, No. 3." A MINISTER AND A BEAU. A Gospel minister, of some renown, All's right! now off, Jehu! And with a lady too!" The lady bowed. The whisker'd boor made very quick reply, What, do you preach in coaches, my old boy? Do you insult me, Sir, or do you joke? I've paid my fare, and have a right to smoke, Or do what else I please with what's my own; To windward of his neighbour. My good stars! O what a fume saluted his poor nose! Out broke his wrath,-"Sir, what d'ye mean by this?" The beau rebuk'd, with all his might and main, Where it lay hissing in the puddly flood. He laugh'd and blush'd, own'd the retort was due, Charge your bright arguments with smoke and fire. -"TEMPERANCE RECITER." |