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rejoined the former, it was I that found it' and I must insist upon keeping it. He had no sooner spoken the words, then they were alarmed with a hue and cry after a thief who had that morning taken a purse upon the road. Lord, says the finder, this is extremely unfortunate; we shall certainly be seized. Good Sir, replied the other, be pleased not to say We, but I: as you would not allow me a share in the prize, you have no right to make me a partner in the punishment.
The discontented Ass.
We greatly diminish the happiness of life, by undervaluing all that is short of perfection.
IN the depth of winter a poor Ass prayed heartily for the spring, that he might exchange a cold lodging, and a heartless truss of straw, for a little warm weather, and a mouthful of fresh grass. In a short time, according to his wish, the warm weather & the fresh grass came on; but brought with them so much toil and business, that he was soon as weary of the spring as before of the winter; and he now became impatient for the approach of summer. Summer arrives: but the heat, the harvest work, and other drudgeried and inconveniencies of the son, set him as far from happiness as before; which he now flattered himself would be found in the plenty of autumn.
