_North_.--What a vivid imagination the Shepherd has--well,
cowardice is an inspiring principle.

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HEAD WAGER.


The following is a story from a MS., copied by Gaillard, in his Life of
Francis I.:--

Duprat said in one of the conversations with the emperor's minister,
that he would consent to lose his head if his sovereign had aided Robert
de la Mark against Charles. The Spanish chancellor claimed du Prat's
head as forfeited, for, he said he had in his possession letters which
proved Francis's connivance with Robert de la Mark. "My head is my own
yet," replied Du Prat, "for I have the originals of the letters you
allude to, and they in no manner justify the scorn you would put upon
them." "If I had won your head," replied the imperial chancellor, "you
might keep it still. I protest I would rather have a pig's head, for
that would be more eatable." _Monthly Mag._

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The Novelist.