THE ELK

0ld Man was somewhat hungry. He had been a long time without food, and wasthinking how he could get something to eat, when he saw a band of elk on aridge. So he went up to them and exclaimed, "0h, my brothers, I am lonesomebecause I have no one to follow me."

"Go on, 0ld Man," exclaimed the elk, "we will follow you." 0ld Man led themabout a long time, and when it was dark, he came near a high-cut bank. Heran around to one side where there was a slope, and he went down and thenstood right under the steep bluff, and called out, "Come on, that is a nicejump, you will laugh."

So the elk jumped off, all but one cow, and were killed.

"Come on," exclaimed 0ld Man, "they have all jumped but you, it is nice."

"Take pity on me," said in reply the cow. "My child is about to be born, and I amvery heavy. I am afraid to jump."