Learning to act

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1860 Excerpt: ...a farmer of the name of Bruff, who was thought to be very rich, and the tale went that he kept his money in bags, in a strong box, and every one said that it was to take care of his money that he had such a big dog in the kennel by the door. Now Farmer Bruff, in spite of many thinr's that people said of him, was a kind-hearted man, and it was out of gratitude for a kind act done to poor Widow White, that her son made Farmer Bruff a present of a magpie. This bird, which was kept in the farmer's kitchen in a wicker cage, had been taught to say many things, and among them the following: 'I am coming! I am coming! Hold him fast! Hold him fast! Give me my blunderbuss! Jack! Jack! Give me my blunderbuss!' One dark night, a robber, who had determined to steal the farmer's money, came and threw a piece of beef to the big dog, to take off his attention, while with his picklock key he opened the door. After this he took off his shoes, that he might not be heard; but before he had made his way to the top of the stairs, the magpie, who had been awakened by the big dog pulling the beef about, cried out, 'I am coming! I am coming! Hold him fast! hold him fast! Give me my blunderbuss! Jack! Jack! Give me my blunderbuss!' The robber, who knew nothing of the magpie, expecting no less than that a stout fellow or two, with Jack and the blunderbuss, would soon be upon him, tumbled down the stairs in a great hurry. The big dog left the beef to fly at him, and it was with difficulty that he made his escape, with two bleeding legs, leaving his shoes and his picklock key behind him. Holy Scripture say£, 'The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion.' When the robber went to break open the strong box of the farmer, his conscience made him a coward...