Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1832-08-02
From. the Ne.o- York Mirror.
A FARM-YARD SKETCH.

n
On "A calm summer morning peacock
stood spreading his feathers in the SUM-
Near him "a lake lay in motionless trdnspa-
rency. He walked towards it with con-
scious pride, and bonding himself over the
brink, sometimes gazed at his gorgeous plu-
mage in the mirror, and sometimes turned
back his eyes to examine the play ofgrcen
and gold upon his back. The simple IN
labitants Of a neighboring farm-yard stood
off at "a respectful distance, awe-struck with
his grandeur. The hens cackled TO each
other; the geese came near, poked out
their long nccks, and Kissed and even
chandelier, although generally ON capital.
terms with himself, rather lowered his
crest, and lifted his yellow feet with less of
lordly majesty as he marched among bis
companions, who no longer paid him their
accustomed attention. At this extorted
acknowledgment of his superior splendor,
heavens! how the peacock swelled
Certainly said he, Il am without an
equal. How mean these poor wretched
creatures appear by my side. How mag
nifcently beautiful l au,. What golden
tinges chace each other across my feathers.
How superbly my tail reflects the light
1t is full of eyes which absolutely rival the
sun himself. When look around, what is
there to compare with me 2
A rose which was blooming near. over
heard this arrogant soliloquy, and address
ed him, e .
pray, Mr.. Peacock, do not be offend
ed, but think can show you bird, not
only your equal, bat so far your superior,
that before man would allow one Of the
race to be DESTROYED, he would behold you
and all your vain Haunting relations exter-
minated A. .r. III .s-
II atways.thoughs, Madam Rose, repli-
ed the peacock, that you were decent
sort Of person, and had one or two tOlera-
bic colors in you-that is, for mere rose !;
but cannot give you credit for much wis
dom. And so sure am of being coDsid-
cred of more value than any which YOU
can possibly bring. that ! fearlessly chal-
lenge you and all the world to prodnce my
rival &
This very afternoon, said the rose, 'and
before the assembled creatures OF the earth
and air; they shall pronounce upon your
respective merits
Il will come an hour before the sun sets,
replied the peacock, spreading his superb
tail and tossing his head affecscdiy. app
pear to more advantage. the greater the
light; good morning, Madam Rose. What
fool is this ridiculous red flower, he con-
tinued in lower voice, as he strutted a
way, and so conceited too. Bah how /
hate conceited people,
The hour for the trial came. The set
ting sun filled the woods witt, golden light !;
heightened shadows lay on the soft green
meadows. The bee hummed lazily along
the dropping flowers, as If tired of his days
wanderings the crows went winging their
way over the tree tops to their nests; the
fish-hawk had made his last plunge into the
| lake. and was bearing his prey towards the
high dry tree-every thing told Of the
closing day.
The peacock spread his tail and entered
the arena where he was 10 await the OK
pected rival. He found all the beasts,
poultry, &c. of the Deighborhood assem-
bled. The geese came in single file,
headed by a sage old goose. kind Of phi
losouher. who led the procession with
crave dignity. The hens brought their
dear little chickens, with their wee bit vol
ces the ducks waddled to their places,
and quacked 'how do you do to their
neighbors the geese. The horses, who had