ON THE ROAD. 8 1 



It was rather rude and unpoetical on my part, 

 after the madam had been so enthusiastic over him, 

 to ask her why a cricket was any more lovable 

 than a water-bug. Her reply was as feminine as it 

 was satisfactory : " I guess it's because they don't 

 get into things you don't want them to, little harm- 

 less creatures ! " Then I was mean enough to say, 

 " Don't you think, if we had as many crickets in 

 our kitchen as water-bugs, they would be equally as 

 troublesome?" 



"Well, but we don't." 



"That's true," said I; "but" And I was 

 about to proceed with a forcible argument to show 

 that like precious stones, rare coins, and the like, 

 the " little harmless creature " was beloved because 

 he was scarce, and not often found in the pantry ; 

 but I happened to remember the argument we had 

 in camp, in regard to the difference of our watches, 

 and refrained. I never do like to argue with a 

 woman on general principles, with my wife for par- 

 ticular reasons : I prefer the barber. It is much 

 more comfortable to have it cut off than pulled out, 

 and the difference in the expense is trifling. One 

 other reason also for not prolonging the argument : 

 I believe in crickets, I don't in water-bugs; and 

 arguing for the sake of argument, before breakfast, 

 is absurd. 



