HAVOURITE FABLES. 113

upon which Mercury dived a second time, and brought up a
silver one. The Man refused it, alleging likewise that this
was not his. He dived a third time, and fetched up the
individual hatchet the man had lost; upon sight of which the
poor fellow was overjoyed, and took it with all humility and
thankfulness. Mercury was so pleased with the fellow’s
honesty, that he gave him the other two into the bargain, as
a reward for his just dealing.

The man then went to his companions, and, giving them
an account of what had happened, one of them went presently
to the river side, and let his hatchet fall designedly into the
stream. Then, sitting down upon the bank, he fell a-weeping
and lamenting, as if he had been really and sorely afflicted.
Mercury appeared as before, and, diving, brought him up a
golden hatchet, asking if that was the one he had lost.
Transported at the precious metal, he answered “ Yes,’’ and
went to snatch it greedily. But the god, detesting his
abominable impudence, not only refused to give him that,
but would not so much as let him have his own hatchet
again.

MORAL.

Honesty is the best policy; it has made many a man’s
fortune, being blessed by God, and highly valued by man.
I