FABLES FOR GOOD OLD BO YS AND GIRLS. 



129 



science that mentioned anything of this kind. But at last the bald and venerable 

 geographer, Professor Mud Turtle, a person who, born poor, and of a drudging low 

 family, had, by his own native force raised himself to the headship of the geogra- 

 phers of his generation, said : 



" My friends, we have indeed made a discovery here. We have found in a pal- 



pable, compact 

 ble state what 

 fathers always 

 mere thing of 

 Humble your- 

 friends, for we 

 tic presence, 

 lels of latitude!" 

 and every head 

 awful, so sublime 

 tude of the dis- 

 shed tears, 

 pitched and the 

 given up to writ- 

 accounts of the 

 recting astro- 

 fit it. Toward 

 moniacal shriek 

 a clattering and 



and imperisha- 

 the wisest of our 

 regarded as a 

 the imagination, 

 selves, my 

 stand in a majes- 

 These are paral- 



Every heart 

 was bowed, so 

 was the magni- 

 covery. Many 



The camp was 

 rest of the day 

 ing voluminous 

 marvel, and cor- 

 nomical tables to 

 midnight a de- 

 was heard, then 

 rumbling noise, 



and the next instant a vast terrific eye shot by, with a long tail attached, and dis- 

 appeared in the gloom, still uttering triumphant shrieks. 



The poor camp laborers were stricken to the heart with fright, and stampeded 

 for the high grass in a body. But not the scientists. They had no superstitions. 

 They calmly proceeded to exchange theories. The ancient geographer's opinion 

 was asked. He went into his shell and deliberated long and profoundly. When 

 he came out at last, they all knew by his worshiping countenance that he brought 

 light. Said he : 

 9 



