184 FABLES. 



of her puppies, who were yet so weak, that she was 

 afraid they would not be able to follow her; and, if 

 she would be so good as to let her stay a fortnight 

 longer, she would take it as the greatest obligation 

 in the world. The other Bitch was so good-natured 

 and compassionate as to comply w r ith this request 

 also; but at the expiration of the term, came and 

 told her positively that she must turn out, for she 

 could not possibly let her be there a day longer. 

 Must turn out, says the other ; we will see to that : 

 for I promise you, unless you can beat me and my 

 whole litter of whelps, you are never likely to have 

 any thing more to do here. 



APPLICATION. 



WISE and good-natured men do not shut their 

 ears, nor harden their hearts, against the calls of 

 humanity, and the cries of distress; but how often 

 are their generous natures imposed upon by the 

 artifices of the base and worthless ! These fail not 

 to lay their plans with deep cunning, to work them- 

 selves into the good graces of the benevolent, and 

 having accomplished their ends, the return they 

 often make is abusive language, or the most open 

 acts of violence. One of the evil and lamentable 

 consequences arising out of this, is, that worth in 

 distress suffers by it : for distrust and suspicion take 

 hold of the minds of men, and the hand of charity 

 is thus benumbed. This Fable may also serve to 

 caution us never to let any thing of value go out of 

 our possession without good security. The man 

 who means to act prudently, ought never to put 

 himself in the power of others, or to run any risk of 

 involving his own family in ruin. 



