o be continued._)

THE FOX AND THE FROG.

A Frog had made himself a home in what he considered a very desirable
situation. It was beside a river far away from any human habitations,
so that he had no occasion to fear the incursions of rude boys, of
whom, owing to their stone-throwing propensities, he had a natural
horror.

It was also a very pleasant spot, where reeds and bulrushes and
water-plants protected him from the glare of the sun, whilst before
him the water-lilies spread their broad leaves upon the water. Food
was plentiful in the vicinity, and he congratulated himself upon
having found a place where he could dwell without being subject to
constant alarms.

A fox had on very much the same principle taken up his residence in a
wood near. There were plump young pigeons and hares and rabbits to be
had, and very often he came in for waterfowl by the river.

"And no fear of traps here," said he, "or of boys and men with guns.
It is far too wild a place for them."

So he made himself as comfortable as possible in his den, and enjoyed
himself to his heart's content; never finding it necessary, excepting
in winter-time, to make an expedition to more populated parts, though
at such seasons he was obliged through hunger to journey to the
remote villages for poultry, through scarcity of provisions in his
own parts.

One fine day, as he was sauntering along, he happened to observe a
movement among the rushes, and to hear a strange cry that he had not
heard before.

He paused to listen, and still the sound went on, and still the reeds
swayed to and fro.

"Doubtless a bird," said he. And he cautiously advanced to where the
noise proceeded from.

Now it happened that the frog was splashing about and performing
rotatory movements that caused the swaying of the rushes, and that he
was making a curious singing noise on which he prided himself as
showing his fine voice. Looking up he perceived the great sharp face
of the fox peering down upon him. Not that the fox was looking at
him, for he had not perceived him, his thoughts being occupied with
the fine young waterfowl he hoped to find there.

The frog, however, made up his mind at once that the fox had come
after him.

"Such a fine young frog as I am," he exclaimed, "is never safe for a
moment," and with a loud croak of terror he plunged into the water
and swam away, determined to put a safe distance between himself and
his pursuer.

The fox looked ove