Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-08-28
W0rtester 4ailp Syn.
A FAEM-YARD sKEToU.

spreading his feathers in the sun Near him a
lake lay sleeping in motionless transparency.
He walked toward it with conscious pride. and
bending himself 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 neighbor
ing farm'yard stood off at respectable dis
tance, awe-struck with his grandeur. The
hens cackled to each other; the geese huddled
together poked out their long necks and hiss
ed 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 among his com
panions, who no longer paid him their accus
toned attention. At this eXtorted acknowl.
edgement Of his superior splendor, heavens
how the peacock swelled.
Certainly" SAID he, al am without an
equal. How mean these poor wretched crea.
lures appear by my side. How magnifcently
beautiful l am. What golden tnges chase
each other across my feathers How superb
ly 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, overheard
this arrogant soliloquy, and addressed him =
Pray, Mr.. Peacock, do not be offended but
think can show you bird, not only your
equal, but so far your superior, before man
would allow one Of the race to be DESTROYED,
he would behold you with all your vain, 1aunt,
ing relations eXtermnated."
Il always thought, Madam Rose" replied
the peacock, chat you were decent sort OF
person, and had one or two to.erable colors
in you, that is, for a mere rose but | cannot
give you credit for much wisdom. And so
sure am l OF being considered of more value
than any which You can possibly bring, that |
tearlessly challenge you and ali the world to
produce my rival"
This very afternoon" said the rose, 'and
before the assembled creatures OF the earth and
a'r, they snail pronounce upon you respective
merits"
81 will come any hour before sunset" re.
Piled the peacock, spreading his superb tail
and tossing his head atfectedy. 81 appear to
more advantage, the greater the light rood
morning, Madam Rose. What iool is this
ridiculous red flower lie continued, in a low.
er voice, as he strutted away, land she is so
conceited, too. Bah how | lItte conc lied
people %
The hour for the trial came. T he settipp
sun filled the woods with golden light length,
ened shadows lay on the soft green meadows.
The bees hummed lazily along the dropping
flowers; as if tired OF their day S wanderings
the crows went winging their way over the
tree tops to (heir nests, the fish hawk had
made his last plunge in the lake, and was bear.
ing his prey toward the high dry tree--every.
thing told OF the closing day
The peacock spread his tail and entered the
arena where lie was to await the expected
rival He found all the beasts, poultry, etc. of
the neighborhood assembled. The geese came
in single file, headed by a sage old fellow. A
kind OF philosopher, who led the procession
with grave dignity. The hens brought their
dear little chickens, with their wee bit voices
the ducks waddled TO their places, and auacl.
ed chow do you do 2" to their neighbors, the
geese. The horses, who liau Deeu Iet loose IN
the adjoining field cantered up, tossing their
heads in the air, kicking out their heels, and
neighing cheerfuly to their friends and fellow
citizens. The ass shook his ears with much
selfcCmplacency, and trotted after. An old
black sheep sprang over fence, and was i'm.
mediately followed by about hundred others
who leaped over in the same place. The cows
walked out OF the pond and took their stations
lashing themselves with their tails, and chew.
ing the cud no animal like your COW for
gravity and patience. A great filthy hog, who
had been wallowing in the mire, came in grunt
ing, and thrusting himselfinto company where
he was not wanted but he got good seat
because everybody feared to come in contact
with linn. The swallows skinned down from
their nests under the caves of the barn, and
seated themselves in row on the rail fence.
i lie turkeys CdlDe III IdlG, SEullUllllS anu
gobbling. They thought the whole concern
rather ridiculous-tley were as good as the
peacock any day-"sonie people make such Il
fuss about nothing" A beautiful robin came
hopping along, and few up into branch of
the cherry tree, with a sweet and plaintive
cry while fierce little bantum rooster push
ed his way i'll among the horses, squared of
to turkey seven times as large as himself,
and at length reached an excellent place where
will tlaa nj, pfn,
as good as most people.
When the company were seated, the rose
who had called the meeting, in brief and
very graceful 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 robin
hutter to more distant seat, 81 am nearly
overcome with diffidence at appearing thus in
public. Nothing but duty and self respect
could have driven me to such an extremity,
but as the representative of a large class of
society, l feel bound to assert our claims to
your attention. Look at me, my friends ex-
anime those feathers, the rainbow tinges that
melt into each other ON my breast, the bril-
liant hues brightning up forever and then
diving away the radiance that seems to float
around me, and which certainly excels in
superb beauty even the vivid bow Of heaven.
Tie rose, who is a nice sort of person, to be
sure but without taste, and not little pre-.
iudiceG against natures more choice pro0uc-
TONS" there the peacock untoded his tail, and
accidentally cast his eyes upon the ass, who
surprising the remark an oblique compliment
to himself, held up his head higher, gave a
gentle bray of appreciation, and continued to
listen with imperturbable gravity,) "the rose
has offered to bring before you bird more
valuable than myself. appeal to my pers IN,
and challenge competition,
The peacock then walked around in
circle
"What stately gait?" said the goose
"And what sweet vocsi' said the ass.
81 shall now produce your rival master
Peacock said the rose, in a sweet voice, and
with something OF a deeper shade of crimson
head, and strange Bird who had not before
been at all observed among the crowd, stepped
forth, and stood in silence by the rose bush
His plain appearance excited some whispering
there was a good deal OF eackling and sim.
pering among the old hens, at the idea of such
a small insignificant looking creature daring
TO present himself on such an occasion. Tie
most influential goose gave downright hiss,
whereupon all the other geese stretched out
their sagacious heads and Kissed also while
the guineahen uttered peevish, discontinued
cry. Nothing however. could exceed the
irrepressbe mrth of the rooster, who gave a
right hearty crow of derision, unless it was the
wise demeanor OF the ass, who first looked
down contemptuously on the little aspirant
then laughed aloud, and concluded by noddng