In vain the Brahman pleaded for his life ; the most he could gain was a promise to abide by the decision of the first three things he chose to question as to the justice of the tiger's actions.

So the Brahman first asked a tree what it thought of the matter; but the tree replied coldly: "What have you to complain about? Don't I give shade and shelter to every one who passes by, and don't they in return tear down my branches to feed their cattle? Don't whimper — be a man!"

Then the Brahman, sad at heart, went farther afield till he saw a buffalo turning a well-wheel; but he fared no better from it, for it answered : "You are a fool to expect gratitude! Look at me! While I gave milk, they fed me on cottonseed and oil-cake; but now I am dry, they yoke me here and give me refuse as fodder."

The Brahman, still more sad, asked the road to give him its opinion.

66

My dear sir," said the road, "how foolish you are to expect anything else! Here am I, useful to everybody; yet all — rich and poor, great and small- trample on me as they go past, giving me nothing but the ashes of their pipes and the husks of their grain!"

On this the Brahman turned back sorrowfully, and on the way he met a jackal, who called out: “ Why, what's the matter, Mr. Brahman? You look as miserable as a fish out of water!"

The Brahman told him all that had occurred. "How very confusing!" said the jackal, when the recital was ended; "would you mind telling me over again, for everything has got mixed up?" The Brahman told it all over again, but the jackal shook his head in a distracted sort of way, and still could not understand.

"It's very odd," said he, sadly, "but it all seems to go in at one ear and out at the other! I will go to the place where it all

happened, and then, perhaps, I shall be able to give a judgment."

So they returned to the cage, by which the tiger was waiting for the Brahman, and sharpening his teeth and claws.

"You've been away a long time!" growled the savage beast, "but now let us begin our dinner."

"Our dinner!" thought the wretched Brahman, as his knees knocked together with fright; "what a remarkably delicate way of putting it!"

"Give me five minutes, my lord!" he pleaded, "in order that I may explain matters to the jackal here, who is somewhat slow in his wits."

The tiger consented, and the Brahman began the whole story over again, not missing a single detail, and spinning as long a yarn as possible.

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Oh, my poor brain! oh, my poor brain!' cried the jackal, wringing its paws.

"Let

me see how did it all begin? You were

in the cage, and the tiger came walking by"

"Pooh!" interrupted the tiger, "what a you are! I was in the cage."

fool

"Of course!" cried the jackal, pretending to tremble with fright; "yes! I was in the cage-no, I wasn't dear! dear! where are my wits? Let me see the tiger was in the Brahman, and the cage came walking by-no, that's not it, either! Well, don't mind me, but begin your dinner, for I shall never understand!

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Yes, you shall!" returned the tiger, in a rage at the jackal's stupidity; "I'll make you understand! Look here! I am the

"Yes

no

please, my lord — "
“Well?” cried the tiger, impatiently.

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Please, my lord, how did you get in?"
How? Why in the usual way, of

course!"

"Oh, dear me! my head is beginning to whirl again! Please don't be angry, my lord, but what is the usual way?"

At this the tiger lost patience, and, jumping into the cage, cried, "This way! Now do you understand how it was?"

"Perfectly!" grinned the jackal, as he dexterously shut the door; "and, if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were."

He prayeth best who loveth best
All things both great and small,
For the dear God who loveth us,
He made and loveth all. - COLERIDGE.

If you can't be a lighthouse, you can be a tallow candle. - MURRAY.