A Poem With A Moral

[the following line wero writtenby David Barkcr for tke New York Post about twonty years ago, and are as admirable for their quaintnoss as for tho iinportaut lesson tliey convey.] THB;lTONAMD THE SKTJïtK- A DBEAM. I met a lion'in my path, ( rwas on a dreary autumn night), Who gave me the alternativo Toa Ulier run or fight.; daro not tura upon the track, I daro not think to runaway, For fcar the lion at ray back Would seize me as bis prey., Bo summoniug a fearless , Xhough all my soul was full of fright," t said unto the foreet king, 11 1 wili not run, but ñght." ■We fought, and as the f ates decreect, I conquered in the bloody fray ; For soon the lion at my ffiet A lifelesa carcasa lay. A little skunk was standing by And noted what the lion spoko; And when he saw the lion die, The lion's track he tooïi. E e used the lion's very speech, And Btrctching to his utmost height. I e gave me the alternativo To eltherrun orflgat. I aw he was prepared to fling Vile odors from bis bushy tail, And knew those odors very soon 'm My Dostrila would assaü. So summoning a humblo air, Though all my soul was f ree from f rlght, I said unto the dirty brute, ' I'll run, but will not ñght." MOBAL. As years begin to cool my blood, I'd rather all would doubt my spunk Tban for a moment undertake To battlo with a skunk.