MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 335 



Specked Apples. 



Old Farmer Grurap, with thrifty care. 

 Had safely stored away 



For winter use his apple crop- 

 Enough to last tin May. 



"We'll not begin," said Farmer Grump, 

 "To eat 'em yet awhile; 



They've got to last the winter through- 

 There ' s none too big a pile ! ' ' 



And so they lay 'neath lock and key, 



Till the ripest showed decay 

 "Begin on 'em," then the farmer said, 



"Begin on 'em right away?" 



"We'll kinder sort 'em out," said he, 



"And use for sass the wust. 

 And everyone who goes for 'em 



Must take the specked ones fust." 



And so they used the specked ones flrst. 



As Farmer Grump had said, 

 But though they ate some every day 



The specked ones kept ahead. 



And they not only ate them flrst. 



But all the winter through. 

 If that's their way, I've naught to say, 



And naught I'm sure have you. 



Now, Farmer Hearty also had 



A well -filled apple bin. 

 But as he stored them in he said, 



"Now, listen:" We'll begin 



"To eat the best of 'em right off, 



And keep on so each day. 

 For some of 'em will not keep long 



Though some will last till May;" 



And so his household, one and all , 



En.loyed the fruit while sound ; 

 And eating still the ripest flrst. 



Had some when JNlay came round. 



Xow, boys and girls, It's out of date 



To hitch a moral on— 

 I'll leave it to your common sense 



To see if tliere is one. 



—Arthur's Magazine. 



