Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-12-10

cellent place, where he sat, with the air OF one
who thinks himself as good as most people.
When the company were seated, the rose,
who had called the meeting, in brief and grace
ful address, explained the wager which had been
laid between the peacock and herself.
"My friends" said the peacock, in scream
ing, discordant voice, which made the robbin
hutter to more distant seat, " am nearly over
come with diflidence at appearing thus in public.
Nothing but duty and self-respect could have
driven me to such an extremity; but as the rep
resentative of large class of society, feel
bound to assert our claims to your attention.
Look at me, my friends; examine those feath-
ers, the rainbow tinges that melt into each 9TH
er on my breast the brilliant hues frightening
up for ever and dying away the radiance that
seems to float around me, which certainly excels
in superb beauty even the vivid bow of heaven.
The rose, who is nice sort of person, to be
sure, but without taste, and not n little preudic-
ed against natures more choice productions"
(here the peacock unfoded his tail, and accident
ally cast his eyes upon the ass, who, supposing
the remark an obque compliment TO himself
held up his head higher, gave gentle bray of
appreciation, and continued to listen with imper-
turabe gravity" the rose has proffered to bring
before you bird more valuable than myself
appeal to my person, and challenge competi-
tion.'
The peacock then walked round in circle.
"What stately gait !" said theg goose.
"What sweet voice p said the ass.
Il shall now produce your rival, Master Pea
cock" said the rose, in sweet voice, and with
something of deeper shade of crimson passing
over her soft face She nodded her head, and
a strange bird, who had not before been at all,
observed among the crowd, stepped forth, and
stood in silence before the rose-bush. His plain
appearance excited some whspering-there was
good deal of cackling and simpering among
the old hens, ut the idea of such small, insg-
niicant-looking creature daring to present him
self on such an occasion. The most influential
goose gave downright hiss, whereupon all the
other geese stretched out :heir sagaclous heads
and hissed ALSO while guinea-hen uttered
peevish, discontented cry Nothing, however,
could exceed the rrepressible mirth of the roo
ster, who gave right hearty crow of derslon,
unless it was the wise misdemeanor of the ass,
who first looked down contemptuously on the
little asprant, then laughed aloud, and conclud-
ed by nodding his head and long ears to his
neighbors, and winking his left eve with know
ing look, as much as to say, " stand by now, and
we shall have some fun"
After the peacock had remained silent for
moment swelling and strutting, and exhibiting
himself TO his admirers, like militia colonel on
parade, he asked the rose, with sneer, if she
intended to insult the audience by such mis-
cradle jest? q
The rose was going to reply,when the ass who
always puts himself forward on these occasions,
and attempts to lead the rest of the meeting,
rose and made short address.
"My friends" he said, 6. can no longer sup
press my feelings of indignation at the insult
offered to the excellent, tender-hearted, and ami
able peacock, by this brazen-faced rose. Let
me ask you gentlemen who and what is this
rose! What has she done! What use is she
of? Who ever head her voice in the wood, rs
mine is heard, and the peacock's, animating ma
ture, and soothing all that have ears to hear, and
hearts to feel? The rose is u stupid senseless
flower so conscious of her own insgniiicance,
that she dare not show herself in the pathway
where we tread Look at the blush Of shame
whicn even now rises to her cheeks-look at
her feebleness, her uselessness, her ideness :;
for my part l always hated her, and preferred
the noble suEfiower, which lifts its yellow-head
in yonder field. Now, let me ask the rose how
she dare'collect us (whose time is important) to-
gether, for the purpose of judging between the
merits of yon small, paltry, brown bird, that we
should never think OF looking at twice, and this
gay and splendid creature, (which is the admiration
Of myself and all other cognoscenti, indeed, Of
the known world"
"Imust remind the learned gentleman" said
the rose, in low and touching tone, "that there
are other means of gaining fame beside appear
ance. That the dress of the peacock is more
bright, striking, and gaudy than that ofthe night
ingale, | am willing to allow; but dress does
not make the man. The nightingale rests his
hope of your appreciation upon higher qualities
Nature has given him most extraordinary pow
er of touching the soul and think this must
rank him higher in the scale of creation than the
peacock"
"Oh, no !" said the ass, you mean his sing
ing. / have been often disturbed by his voice
in the night although never before had the
honor of seeing the vocalist. What" he con-
tinued, this is the fellow, is it, that keeps us a.
wake? WE'LL hark we, my little chap, give us
touch of your quality; be short, do you hear
for our time is precious, and important to the
commonwealth"
The nightingale was about to commence, when
the peacock Broke in:
81 also," said he, have cultivated my voice,
and aspire to some skill in melody"
"Right," said the ass, "and the nightingale is
nothing to you"
The little bantam who had perched upon the
top Of an old chestnut rail, came out with sud