AN ALLEGORY IN THE MANNER OF THE ALGICS.

A vine was growing beside a thrifty oak, and had just reached that height at which it requires support. “Oak,” said the ivy vine, “bend your trunk so that you may be a support to me.” “My support,” replied the oak, “is naturally yours, and you may rely on my strength to bear you up, but I am too large and too solid to bend. Put your arms around me, my pretty vine, and I will manfully support and cherish you, if you have an ambition to climb, even as high as the clouds. While I thus hold you up, you will ornament my rough trunk with your pretty green leaves and shining scarlet berries. They will be as frontlets to my head, and I shall stand in the forest like a glorious warrior, with all his plumes. We were made by the Master of Life to grow together, that by our union the weak should be made strong, and the strong render aid to the weak.”

“But I wish to grow independently,” said the vine, “why cannot you twine around me, and let me grow up straight, and not be a mere dependant upon you.” “Nature,” answered the oak, “did not so design it. It is impossible that you should grow to any height alone, and if you try it, the winds and rain, if not your own weight, will bring you to the ground. Neither is it proper for you to run your arms hither and yon, among the trees. The trees will begin to say “It is not my vine it is a stranger get thee gone, I will not cherish thee.” By this time thou wilt be so entangled among the different branches, that thou canst not get back to the oak; and nobody will then admire thee, or pity thee.”

“Ah me,” said the vine, “let me escape from such a destiny:” and with this, she twined herself around the oak, and they both grew and flourished happily together.