Macmillan's Reading Books. Book V. Unknown

slow its pace! And then its hue—

             Who ever saw so fine a blue?"—

             "Hold there," the other quick replies,

             "'Tis green; I saw it with these eyes

             As late with open mouth it lay,

             And warmed it in the sunny ray;

             Stretched at its ease the beast I viewed,

             And saw it eat the air for food."

             "I've seen it, sir, as well as you,

             And must again affirm it blue:

             At leisure I the beast surveyed

             Extended in the cooling shade."

             "'Tis green, 'tis green, sir, I assure you."

             "Green!" cried the other in a fury:

             "Why, do you think I've lost my eyes?"

             "'Twere no great loss," the friend replies,

             "For if they always serve you thus,

             You'll find them of but little use."

             So high at last the contest rose,

             From words they almost came to blows,

             When luckily came by a third:

             To him the question they referred,

             And begged he'd tell them if he knew,

             Whether the thing was green or blue?

             "Sirs," cries the umpire, "cease your pother,

             The creature's neither one nor t'other.

             I caught the animal last night,

             And view'd it o'er by candle-light:

             I marked it well—'twas black as jet.

             You stare; but, sirs, I've got it yet:

             And can produce it"—"Pray, sir, do:

             I'll lay my life the thing is blue."

             "And I'll be sworn, that when you've seen

             The reptile you'll pronounce him green!"

             "Well, then, at once to ease the doubt,"

             Replies the man, "I'll turn him out:

             And when before your eyes I've set him,

             If you don't find him black, I'll eat him,"

             He said, and full before their sight,

             Produced the beast, and lo!—'twas white.

             Both stared: the man looked wondrous wise:

             "My children," the chameleon cries

             (Then first the creature found a tongue),

             "You all are right, and all are wrong;

             When next you tell of what you view,

             Think others see as well as you!

             Nor wonder if you find that none

             Prefers your eyesight to his own."

MERRICK.* * * * *

      MOSES AT THE FAIR

      All this conversation, however, was only preparatory to another scheme; and indeed I dreaded as much. This was nothing less than that, as we were now to hold up our heads a little higher in the world, it would be proper to sell the colt, which was grown old, at a neighbouring fair, and buy us a horse that would carry us single or double upon an occasion, and make a pretty appearance at church, or upon a visit. This at first I opposed stoutly; but it was stoutly defended. However, as I weakened, my antagonist gained strength, till at last it was resolved to part with him. As the fair happened on the following day, I had intentions of going myself; but my wife persuaded me that I had got a cold, and nothing could prevail upon her to permit me from home. "No, my dear," said she, "our son Moses is a discreet boy, and can buy and sell to a very good advantage: you know all our great bargains are of his purchasing. He always stands out and higgles, and actually tires them till he gets a bargain."

      As I had some opinion of my son's prudence, I was willing enough to entrust him with this commission; and the next morning I perceived his sisters mighty busy in fitting out Moses for the fair; trimming his hair, brushing his buckles, and cocking his hat with pins. The business of the toilet being over, we had at last the satisfaction of seeing him mounted upon the colt, with a deal box before him to bring home groceries in. He had on a coat made of that cloth they call "thunder-and-lightning," which, though grown too short, was much too good to be thrown away. His waistcoat was of gosling green, and his sisters had tied his hair with a broad black riband. We all followed him several paces from the door, bawling after him, "Good luck! good luck!" till we could see him no longer. ***

      I changed the subject by seeming to wonder what could keep our son so long at the fair, as it was now almost nightfall. "Never mind our son," cried my wife; "depend upon it, he knows what he is about. I'll warrant we'll never see him sell his hen of a rainy day. I have seen him bring such bargains as would amaze one. I'll tell you a good story about that, that will make you split your sides with laughing. But, as I live, yonder comes Moses, without a horse, and the box on his back."

      As she spoke, Moses came slowly on foot, and sweating under the deal box, which he had strapped round his shoulders like a pedlar. "Welcome, welcome, Moses! Well, my boy, what have you brought us from the fair?" "I have brought you myself," cried Moses, with a sly look, and resting the box on the dresser. "Ay, Moses," cried my wife, "that we know; but where is the horse?" "I have sold him," cried Moses, "for three pounds five shillings and twopence." "Well done, my good boy," returned she; "I knew you would touch them off. Between ourselves, three pounds five shillings and twopence is no bad day's work. Come, let us have it then." "I have brought back no money," cried Moses again. "I have laid it all out in a bargain, and here it is," pulling out a bundle from his breast; "here they are; a gross of green spectacles, with silver rims and shagreen cases." "A gross of green spectacles!" repeated my wife, in a faint voice. "And you have parted with the colt, and brought us back nothing but a gross of green paltry spectacles!" "Dear mother," cried the boy, "why won't you listen to reason? I had them a dead bargain, or I should not have brought them. The silver rims alone will sell for double the money." "A fig for the silver rims," cried my wife, in a passion: "I dare swear they won't sell for above half the money at the rate of broken silver, five shillings an ounce." "You need be under no uneasiness," cried I, "about selling the rims, for they are not worth sixpence; for I perceive they are only copper varnished over." "What!" cried my wife, "not silver! the rims not silver?" "No," cried I, "no more silver than your saucepan." "And so," returned she, "we have parted with the colt, and have only got a gross of green spectacles, with copper rims and shagreen cases? A murrain take such trumpery! The blockhead has been imposed upon, and should have known his company better." "There, my dear," cried I, "you are wrong; he should not have known them at all." "Marry, hang the idiot!" returned she, "to bring me such stuff: if I had them I would throw them in the fire." "There again you are wrong, my dear," cried I, "for though they be copper, we will keep them by us, as copper spectacles, you know, are better than nothing."

      By this time the unfortunate Moses was undeceived. He now saw that he had been imposed upon by a prowling sharper, who, observing his figure, had marked him for an easy prey. I therefore asked the circumstances of his deception. He sold the horse, it seems, and walked the fair