Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-09-15
Climbing and Falling.
BY THE REV. JOHN TODD, D. d

On the banks of beautiful river stood
large, wide-spreading, and yet lofty
tree. The waters that flowed past t
were so pure, and the stream always so
full, that the tree was always green, full
ofleaves and Astounding in fruit. AT all
times it bad fragrant blossoms, whose
sweetness filed the air, and at the same
time was loaded with fruit that delighted
the eye.
At the foot of this tree there lived ma
ny nimbe, active, and intelligent ants
They were told that the fruit on this
tree was most delicious for food, most
satisfying to the appetite, and most nour'
ishing to the eater. All around the tree
looked poor in comparison to the golden
fruit. They knew too that by climbing
up into the tree, they could haYe a S
much of the fruit as they wanted ; many
ants had gone up and reached it, and
sent back word for their neighbors and
friends to hasten up. BY looking up
ward they conld see the golden sunbeams
dancing among the green foliage, and the
fair fruit hanging on every bough. AT
last they determined h they would
leave their old home, and go and live up
among this beautiful fruit. So they be-
gan to climb up, some going straight up
ward, and some in zig-zag COURSE
But it was soon found that they kept slip.
ping and falling back again. Some hard
~ got started; some up little higher ;
but the result was the same. So | set
myself to watch them, and see what the
reason could be, that they so fell back TO
the place starting. T 9 first one
which | noticed was an old ant, whose
joints seemed stiffened by age, and who
came tumbling and rolling down in a
hurry.
"What's the matter with you, friend 2"
"Matter enough l can't get up, and
there is no use in trying. Every time |
have tried | have fallen"
"Well, why do you try TO tug up that
piece of straw That is what tumbles
you down. II is too heavy"
"Srat0! Sir, do you call that straw /?
Why, il is the property have been all
my life accunulating There i $ not
another ant under the tree who owns
such property ! l must carry that, Mt
all events"
The next ant had got up a little higher,
when light puff of wind blew him of,
and he came whrling down.
"Wby, my good fellow, do you try to
carry that bit o f red feather n your
mouth =? Don't you see the wind strikes
it and upsets you, and tumbles you off ?"
"Red feather, you call it No, sir,
that is not its name. 1t is called fash
ion, sir, among US ants, and the longer
the feather the more fashionable is theI
owner, and assure you there is no one
who can show such a feather as that !!
Oh, sir, can't think of going up and
leaving my red feather behind"
The next one that came rolling down
fell SO bard and kicked so teebly that !
really thought he was killed. But he
soon picked himself up and what do you
think he had as his load !? 1t was grain
of hard, yellow sand
"Well, Mr.. Ant, you are here, and ]
see what kept you from going up bat
can't see the use of that grain of sand !!
Island, sir, sand No, that 8 pure
gold There is not another such lumE
in all antdom And would you have
me so up if | cannot carry my gold
had rather never taste the fruit on thi!
tree"
Down came another, and as he fell
heard a ringing sound. And, would yol
believe it, the fellow had fiddle 10 on,
Of his claws
"Oh, dear fear shall never &c
up? How mauy times / have fallen
But can't go and leave my fiddle
must have my amusements or / canno
live; and if | cannot carry them wit
me there is no use 10 my going"
Then saw another carry up it'll
demijohn Of brandy-just to give hir
strength and enable him to climb faster
But he hardly began TO ascend befor
he fell to the ground.
Among them was curious, sly fello
who seemed TO have nothing to hinde
him, and yet he could not get up. b.
on close examination | noticed that
had small secret phial, in which was
drop of something very black. He trie
to hide it, but ] caught glimpse of
and saw it labelled 'secret sir" lie toi
ed and tugged hard, but the phial wi
too much-he could not get up.
Dear reader, this tree is the Tree
Life this river is the River of Life