A RATTLESNAKE came home to his brood and said: "My children, gather

　　about and receive your father's last blessing1, and see how a

　　Christian2 dies."

　　"What ails3 you, Father?" asked the Small Snakes.

　　"I have been bitten by the editor of a partisan4 journal," was the

　　reply, accompanied by the ominous5 death-rattle.