to each other, "We've had a fine
evening for once: you get a little wiser, and time passes round before
you know it."

The teacher had formed the design of reading something to the farmers
about the Grecian mythology: fortunately, however, he laid his hand
upon a very different book,--a collection of German proverbs. On
entering the bar-room, he took the book from his pocket, saying, "Let
me read you something."

There were wry faces on all sides; for farmers regard books as their
natural enemies. Mat spoke first:--

"Better tell us a story, Mr. Teacher."

"Yes, yes; tell us something: don't read," was the general response.

"Well, just listen a little while," said the teacher: "if you don't
like it, say so, and I'll stop."

He began to read the proverbs, pausing after every one.

"Why, that's what George the blacksmith says," and "That's Spring Bat's
word," "That's what old Maurita used to say," "That's your speech,
Andrew, Mike, Caspar," was soon heard from different quarters of the
room. The players laid aside their cards and listened; for at times a
pithy sentence would provoke general merriment.

The teacher could not refrain from asking, with an air of some triumph,
"Shall I read on?"

"Yes; read on till morning," said every one; and Kilian of the Frog
Alley added, "It must have been the smartest kind of a man that made
that book; for he knew every thing. I wonder if he wasn't one of the
ancient sages."

"Yes: those are your sort of folks, Kilian," said some one in a corner.

"Be quiet, now," cried others. "Read on, Mr. Teacher."

He did so. Sometimes corrections and additions were suggested, which
the teacher would gladly have noted in writing, but refrained for fear
of restraining the open-heartedness of the audience. They were
overjoyed to find the whole stock of their collective wisdom thus
heaped up in a single granary. One or two discussions arose in
reference to the explanation, or the truth of this or that proverb,
with which the teacher never interfered; others would urge the
disputants to silence; while still others urged the teacher to proceed.
A bright fire was burning, which our friend had the satisfaction of
having kindled.

When he returned the next evening, he found more guests than usual.
They had lost their dread of books, and immediately inquired whether he
had not some similar entertainment for them.

"Yes," said the teacher, taking out a book. But this time things were
not d