MR FOX.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 41, 11 October 1890, Page 19

MR FOX.

It was a winter's night, the snow lay thickly on the ground, ami overhead the stars shorn* brightly. *Ah thought Mr Fox rousing himself from his slumbers with a sleepy grunt, ‘ Now is the time to make my midnight stroll.' So, jumping up from his corner in a large burrow inhabited by himself and Mrs Fox he started on his rambles, first taking <• cautious look round to see that all was sate. After considering a moment in which direction he should bend his steps, he ambled off towaids a large farmhouse, where he was a frequent and, m*e<lless to add, very unwelcome \ isitor. He soon reached his destination, ami made his way to the poultry house. He could hardly restrain a joyiul bark at the’sight that greeted his eyes, which would certainly h i\ e dispelled his chances of success fornight, at least. Facing him, perched on the low hough of a neigh homing tree, was a plump grey hen. How Heynanl s immtli watered at the sight. ‘ Foolish creature,’ thought he to himself, ‘ little would you sleep if you knew how soon your life would be ended. Why, by this time to morrow nothing hut feathers will remain, and a grey tail will he all left to tell the tale of the once lively hen.’ Silly fox, if you had but secured your prey directly, and not stood then* letting, as it weie, the cup slip from your lips ’ Now you will never taste its contents. \Our eyes are grievously in fault not to notice that dr rk form crouching so near. < hie sharp how) ami all is over with you : Savage, the watch dog, has • <»on finished you oil. For * I'here s many a slip twixt the cup and the lip,' as you have found to your cost.