HOW MR. FOX WON HIS CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 180, 1 August 1925, Page 26

HOW MR. FOX WON HIS CASE.

Mr. Dog once upon a time, long, long ago, decided that he would see if he coiild not stop Mr. Fox from carrying off his master's poultry. * "Mr. Fox belongs to my family," said Mr Dog when he was thinking the matter over one day, "and I rather like him, but he should not keep on with the habit he has of taking things that do not belong to him." The more he thought it over the more certain was Mr. Dog that he should bring Mr. Fox to see the error of his ways. So one night, when he saw wise Mr. Owl sitting in a tree near his house, he asked his advice. "There is no reason why Mr. Fox should not become a good citizen of the woods and be respected I am if he could be persuaded to give up stealing my master's poultry," said Mr. Dog. "Very tru<», very true," said Mr. Owl solemnly. "Now, I would suggest that we hold a court in the woods to-morrow night and let you and Mr. Fox plead your cases, for I expect Mr. Fox will think there are two sides to this question. He is too clever not to have some excuse for what he does." Mr. Dog agreed that this was a very nice way to settle the matter, and so Mr. Owl flew to the home of Mr. Foj and told him what was proposed. "You are right, Mr. Owl," said Mr. Fox when he heard what Mr. Dog had said about him. "I do wish to present my side of the case, and I will leave it to you as judge to decide whether I am justified or not in doing what I am accused of." That night in a place in the woods where there was a clear space all the animals that were interested in the case of Mr. Fox and Mr. Dog sat down to -hear what each had to say. Mr. Owl, looking very dignified, sat on a low limb lof a bare tree as judge. "We will listen to your side of the case first, Mr. Dog;" he said. Mr. Dog tripped to a tree stump and hopped on top. "My master is a kind hearted man," began Mr. Dog. "He never harms anyone, and he has suffered great loss through the thieving of Mr. Fox. "Ho steals our poultry and does a great deal of damage, causing much suffering, for he is very heedless of how he destroys the poor hens and other poultry. If he will give up this bad habit I am certain he will be happier and also that he will have plenty to eat without being so wicked." Mr. Dog jumped down and took his seat and Mr. Fox, looking very meek, took his place on the stump. "Your honor," he said, "I have listened to what Mr. Dog has said with a great deal of interest and I must say as well with amusement. I ask your permission to address one question to Mr. Dog, which, if he will answer truthfully, I am certain will save mc from taking up your valuable time." Judge Owl gave his consent and Mr. Dog promised to tell the truth. "I would like you to tell the judge," said Mr. Fox, "whose skin the farmer's wife wore around her neck last winter, and how the farmer got it for her." Mr. Dog began to stammer and had such a hard time trying to reply that Mr. Fox said he would save him further embarrassment by telling the story himself in a few words. "It was a. fox skin that she wore and the farmer caught the fox in a cruel trap, which caused it great suffering," said Mr. Fox. "The farmer and his friends see no reason why they should not kill off all my family for their handsome skins, but when I take a few hens to keep mc from starving they make a great fuss. That is all I have to say, your Honor." By the time Mr. Fox had finished, Mr. Dog was nowhere to be seen. He had taken to his heels before the case was closed. "Not guilty!" hooted Mr. Owl as Mr. Coon and Mr. Possom bore Mr. Fox away on their- shoulders, followed by a cheering crowd. FOUND. Daphne! Daphne! Where can she be? Daphne ! Daphne 1 Busy was she. Gathering daisies out on the lea, Daphne dear. , Daphne dreaming under a tree, 1 Daisies clutched In each hand, I see, A bunch for you and a bunch .for mc, j Daphne dear.