108 THE CUNNING WOLF.

being able to take the wolf with him, he sent it to a wild-
beast show, where he knew it would be carefully looked after.
At first the wolf was very unhappy, and evidently pined for
its absent master. At length, giving itself up to its fate, it
made friends with its keepers, and recovered its spirits.

Fully eighteen months had passed by, when its old master,
returning home, paid a visit to the show. As soon as he
spoke, the wolf knew his voice, and made great efforts to get
free. On being set at liberty, it sprang forward, and leaped
up and caressed him like a dog. Its master, however, left it
with its keepers, and three years passed away before he paid
it another visit. Notwithstanding this lapse of time, the
wolf again knew him, and showed the same marks of aftection.

On its master again going away, the wolf became gloomy
and refused its food, so that it seemed to be dying. It re-
covered its health, however, and though it suffered its keepers
to come near, showed its savage temper toward all strangers.

The history of this wolf shows you that the fiercest
natures may be calmed by gentleness.

 

THE CUNNING WOLF.

Two hundred years ago there were wolves in Ireland, and it
appears that they were as cunning as the foxes of the present
day.

A man, travelling, as was the custom in those times, on
horseback, with a sword by his side, was passing between
two towns, some three miles from each other, when he was
attacked by a wolf. He drove him off with his sword, but