ay, carrying with them the rod and line, fish, and tin-can of
bait, laughing loudly at the practical joke which they had played our
hero.

"Well," thought Jack, "either here must be some mistake in my father's
philosophy, or else this is a very wicked world. I shall submit this
case to my father."

And Jack received this reply--"I have told you before, Jack, that these
important truths will not at present be admitted--but it does not the
less follow that they are true. This is the age of iron, in which might
has become right--but the time will come when these truths will be
admitted, and your father's name will be more celebrated than that of
any philosopher of ancient days. Recollect, Jack, that although in
preaching against wrong and advocating the rights of man, you will be
treated as a martyr, it is still your duty to persevere; and if you are
dragged through all the horse-ponds in the kingdom, never give up your
argument."

"That I never will, sir," replied Jack; "but the next time I argue it
shall be, if possible, with power on my side, and, at all events, not
quite so near a pond."

"I think," said Mrs Easy, who had been a silent listener, "that Jack
had better fish in the river, and then, if he catches no fish, at all
events he will not be soused in the water, and spoil his clothes."

But Mrs Easy was no philosopher.

A few days afterwards, Jack discovered, one fine morning, on the other
side of a hedge, a summer apple-tree bearing tempting fruit, and he
immediately broke through the hedge, and climbing the tree, as our first
mother did before him, he culled the fairest and did eat.

"I say, you sir, what are you doing there?" cried a rough voice.

Jack looked down, and perceived a stout, thick-set personage in grey
coat and red waistcoat, standing underneath him.

"Don't you see what I'm about," replied Jack, "I'm eating apples--shall
I throw you down a few?"

"Thank you kindly--the fewer that are pulled the better; perhaps, as you
are so free to give them to others as well as to help yourself, you may
think that they are your own property!"

"Not a bit more my property than they are yours, my good man."

"I guess that's something like the truth; but you are not quite at the
truth yet, my lad; those apples are mine, and I'll trouble you to come
down as fast as you please; when you're down we can then settle our
accounts; and," continued the man, shaking his cudgel, "depend upon it
you shall ha