Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-10-29
MISCELLANEOUS.
A Farm-yard Sketch.

On a calm summer morning peacock
stood spreading his feathers IN the sun.
Near him lake lay sleeping in notion
less transparency. He walked toward 1t
with conscious pride, and bending him
self over the brink, sometimes gazed at
his gorgeous plumage in the mirror, and
sometimes turned back his eyes, to ex-
anime the play of green and gold upon
his back. The simple inhabitants of a
neighbouring farm-yard stood off at a res
pectable distance, awe-struck with his
grandeur. The hens cackled TO each
other; the geese huddled together, poked
out their long necks, and hissed and
even chanticleer, although generally on
capital terms with himself, rather lowered
his crest, and lifted his yellow feet with
less of lordly majesty as he marched a
mOng his companions, who no longer
paid him their accustomed attention" AT
this extoIted acknowledgment of his SUI
perior splendour, heavens how the pea
cock swelled!
"Ceranly," said he, 81 am without
unequal. How mean these poor wretched
creatures appear by my side. How mag
nifcentlv beautiful | am. What golden
tinges chase each other across my feathers.
How superbly my tail reflects the light.
It's full of eyes which absolutely rival
the sun himself. When look around,
what is there to compare with me -
a rose, which was blooming near, over
heard this arrogant sollloquy, and ad-
dressed him:
pray, Mr.. Peacock, do not be olfen'
ded, but | think | can show you bird,
not only your equal, but so far your su-
perior, that before man would allow one
of the race to be destroyed, he would be-
hold YOU and all your vain Haunting reia-
tions exlermnated.
Il always thought, madam Rose re-
piled the peacock, ''that you were de-
cent sort of person, and had one or two
tolerable colours in you-that is, for
mere rose; but cannot give you credit
for much wisdom. And so sure am l oi
being considered of more value than any
which YOU can possibly bring, that fear
lcssIy challenge you and all the world to
produce my rival"
This very afternoon" said the rose,
"and before the assembled creatures OF
the e:rth and air; they shall pronounce
upon your respective merits.
Il will come an hour before sunset
replied the peacock, spreading his superb
tail, and tossing his head afIectediy. 81
appear to more advantage, the greater
the light; good morning, madam hose,
What fool is this ridiculous red flower, !"
he continued in a lower voice, as he
s,ruttcd away, "and so conceited, too.
Bah how hate cOnceited people -
The hour for the trial ca'"e. The
setting sun filed the woods with golden
light: lengtkeLel shadows lay on the soft
green meadows. The bee humlned la
. zily along the dropping flowers, as if tired
(of their DAYS wanderIngs; the crows
went winging their way over the tree tops
% their nests; the fish hawk had made
his last plunge in the lake, and was bear
inc his prey toward the high dry tree
cysrything told Of the closing day.
The peacock spread his tail and entered
the arena whpre he was to await ihe ex-
pPctA Glval. lie tound ali llt oe"S"'
pou5iy, ETC., of the neighbonrhood as
sembIsd. The geese came in single hie'
headed by sage old fellow, kind OF
philosopher. who led he procession win
grave digu!lv. The hens brough' 'heu
dear lule chickens, With their wee bl
voices the ducks wadJI,d "a lhcir Places,
and q,,arked how do you DO - To their
neighbours, the gees. The horses. who
had been let loose in The . aioning field,
canlufed up. tossing lheir heads in tie
air, kicking o0t ttheir he Il, aud n,iehing
cheerfulIy TO ihclr friends and fellow cili.
zens. The ass shook his ears with much
self.complacerey, and trottcd after An
old black sheep sPrang overa fence, and
\ was immediately followed by about a hun
4 dred others, whOleaped over in the same