Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 September 1883 — The Rat and the Badger. [ARTICLE]

The Rat and the Badger.

A Rat who had grown fat and sleek and nested undisturbed in a Peasant’s Corn Crib was one day visited by the Badger, who inquired: “How long since you have had any Cheese ?” “Cheese? Why I haven’t even smelt the article for a year!” “Ah! me! but you must be a curious Rat, not to help yourself to Cheese. I wouldn’t stand it a single hour if I were in your boots. You will never be a happy Rat until you Jia ve Cheese.” After the Badger had gone the Rat got to thinking the matter over. He was fat, contented and safe, but now that Cheese had been mentioned he felt that he must have a taste. He left the corn-crib and went nosing around until he discovered a piece of Cheese hung to a wire. He rushed for it, heard a click, and turned around to find himself in a Trap and to hear the Peasant call out: “Ah! here is another Rat who didn’t know enough to remain in the corncrib !” Moral—Let corn enough alone.— .De/roii Free Press. The ancients did know a few things. As to downright common sense it is not always easy even for this steam-driven, electric-lighted and telephone-talking nineteenth century to get ahead of them. And among their proverbs which come around ever and anon to greet with fresh respect, is that famous, old, curt frestina lente (hasten slowly). —Congregationalism Disparage and depreciate no one; an insect, has feeling and an atom a shadow.— Coleridge.