Home › Contents › Archbishop Trench

Archbishop Trench

Day of Thanksgiving.

R. FRANKLIN says that, in a time of great despondency among the first settlers of New England, it was proposed in one of their public assemblies to proclaim a fast. An old farmer arose, spoke of their provoking heaven with their complaints, reviewed their mercies, showed that they had much to be thankful for, and moved that, instead of appointing a day of fasting, they should appoint a day of thanksgiving. This was accordingly done, and the custom has been continued ever since.

A The Goat and the Swing.

VICIOUS goat, one day, had found His way into forbidden ground, When, coming to the garden swing, He spied a most prodigious thing- A ram, a monster to his mind, With head before and head behind!

Its shape was odd, no hoofs were seen, But without legs it stood between Two upright, lofty posts of oak, With forehead ready for a stroke.

Though but a harmless ornament Carved on the seat, it seemed intent On barring the intruder's way; While he, advancing, seemed to say, "Who is this surly fellow here?

Two heads, no tail-it's mighty queer!

A most insulting countenance !"

With stamp of foot and angry glance He curbed his threatening neck, and stood Before the passive thing of wood. "You winked as I was going by !

You didn't? What! tell me I lie ?

Take that!" and at the swing he sprung; A sounding thump! It backward swung, And, set in motion by the blow, Swayed menacingly to and fro. "Ha! you'll fight? A quarrelsome chap I knew you were! You'll get a rap !

I'll crack your skull!" A headlong jump; Another and a louder bump!

The swing, as if with kindling wrath, Came pushing back along the path.

The goat, astonished, shook his head, I Winked hard, turned round, grew mad, and said, "Villain! I'll teach you who I am!" (Or seemed to say,) "you rascal ram, To pick a fight with me, when I So quietly am passing by !

Your head or mine!" A thundering stroke:

The cracking horns met crashing oak !

Then came a dull and muffled sound, And something rolled along the ground, Got up, looked sad, appeared to say : "Your head's too hard!" and limped away Quite humbly, in a rumpled coat- A dirtier and a wiser goat!