” ‘A Prudent Worm, whose Maiden Aunt had long enjoined the duty of Early Rising, awoke one morning before Dawn, to begin his Daily Task upon the Finest Cabbage in the Garden.  A belated Owl, who was hurrying home from his night’s Work, espied the Worm in the Fading Darkness, and remarking that he had no Idea Worms rose so Early, swallowed him with Avidity.

Moral:  Virtue sometimes o’erleaps itself and comes down on the Other side.

Moral Reflection:  It’s a Poor Proverb that works both Ways.’

Beneath this was written in a boyish hand, ‘ By R. Ware.  Fable Editor, N.Y. World.’ ”

Reference Data:

The Atlantic Monthly, by Making of America Project, Phillip Gengembre Hubert, 1879, page 751