Some time ago certain Uitlanders went as a deputation to President Kruger to explain to him that the price of shares in mines was going down, and they hinted that he was responsible for it. ■ The Boer President did not reply to their grievance one way or the other, but calmly took out his pipe, and, beginning to smoke, told them the following little fable: —“ Some years ago X had a favourite monkey, for which I had a great affection. One day I went out for an excursion into a wood, and took my monkey along. It was cold, so the monkey and I made a fire. The monkey got too close to the fire and burned his tail, whereupon he turned on me and bit me. I said to him: ‘My dear monkey, I made a fire with you to warm both of us. You burned your tail in it. That was your fault, and I really don’t see why you should bo angry with me.’" Having related the fable, the President continued to smoke his pipe and the deputation with drew.
