on the occasion of some festivities that were given by a roman nobleman, a merry-andrew of a fellow caused much laughter by his tricks upon the stage, and, more than all, by his imitation of the squeaking of a pig, which seemed to the hearers so real that they called for it again and again.

a countryman, however, in the audience, thought the imitation was not perfect; and he made his way to the stage and said that, if he were permitted, he to-morrow would enter the lists and squeak against the merry-andrew for a wager.

the mob, anticipating great fun, shouted their consent, and accordingly, when the next day came, the two rival jokers were in their places.

the hero of the previous day went first, and the hearers, more pleased than ever, fairly roared with delight.

then came the turn of the countryman, who having a pig carefully concealed under his cloak, so that no one would have suspected its existence, vigorously pinched its ear with his thumbnail, and made it squeak with a vengeance.

"not half as good—not half as good!" cried the audience, and many among them even began to hiss.

"fine judges you!" replied the countryman, rushing to the front of the stage, drawing the pig from under his cloak, and holding the animal up on high. "behold the performer that you condemn!"