I once discovered a mother cuckoo in charge of an infant,
evidently on his first outing. Drawn by his insistent demand for
food, I came unexpectedly upon the pair in a retired spot in the
woods. At sight of me the mother instantly left her clamorous
offspring and flew to the lowest limb of a tree near by, where
she treated me to a series of theatrical postures, bows,
feathered displays, and acrobatic performances wonderful to
see, keeping up at the same time a low cry which had instantly
silenced the baby cries I had heard. Never for an instant taking
her eyes off me, nor interrupting her remarkable demonstrations,
the anxious mother very gradually, almost imperceptibly, moved
away, a twig at a time, while I followed, fascinated and far
more interested in her dramatic efforts than in finding her
youngling. When she had thus drawn me several feet away from
the dangerous spot, presto! she took to her wings and was
gone.--OLIVE THORNE MILLER, “The Bird Our Brother.”
(139)
* * * * *
There is a pleasant story of a lawyer, who, being refused
entrance into heaven by St. Peter, contrived to throw his hat
inside the door; and then, being permitted by the kind saint to
go in and fetch it, took advantage of his being fixt to his post
as doorkeeper to refuse to come back again. (Text.)--CROAKE
JAMES, “Curiosities of Law and Lawyers.”
(140)
* * * * *
A congregation in Connecticut had lost their pastor, and were
desirous of filling his place. But their last minister had
been self-taught, and the aristocracy--to wit, the deacons,
etc.--stipulated that the new minister should have a classical
education. In order to be sure of their man, the deacons agreed
to let applicants preach a sermon on trial. At last a Welshman
heard of the vacancy, but he was less learned than the one who
had left; still, he determined to try. The day was arranged,
the appointed minute arrived, and the candidate mounted into
the pulpit. He got well on in his sermon, when he suddenly
recollected that he was expected to show his learning.
“My friends” he said, “I will now quote you a passage in Greek.”
With a solemn look he repeated a verse in his native tongue. The
effect was marvelous; approving nods and smiles were exchanged
among the deacons. Thus encouraged, he followed up his advantage
by saying:
“Perhaps you would also like to hear it in Latin?”
He then repeated another passage in Welsh; this was even more
successful than before. The preacher cast his eye over his
flock, and saw that he was regarded with looks of increasing
respect. Unfortunately, there was also a Welshman in the
congregation; he was sitting at the back, almost choked in his
efforts to stifle his laughter. The minister’s eye fell on him,
and took in the whole situation at a glance. Preserving his
countenance, he continued:
“I will also repeat it in Hebrew.”
He then sang out in his broadest Welsh: “My dear fellow, stop
laughing, or they will find it out.”
The other understood, stifled his laughter, and afterward dined
with his successful countryman.--_Tit-Bits._
(141)
See FOOLISHNESS SOMETIMES IS WISDOM; PREFERRED CREDITOR.
=Artifice in Insects=--See SIMULATION.
=Ascent of Man=--See BLESSING THE ROPES.