Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-07-24
The Skylark's Sermon.

Stories as well as poems about the skylark
abound but the following story shows the
constant love Of Englishmen for this truly
English bird. There is no such thing as
song-bird natural TO Australia there are
birds that chatter and birds that Shrek but
no birds that sing Well there was young
man who went out from England as a gold.
digger, aud was fortunate enough TO make
some money, and prudent enough to take
care Of it, He opened store" IA sort Of
rough shop, where almost anything could be
had). at place called "The Ovens" noted
gold field about two hundred miles from Mel.
bourne As he continued to prosper, this
young man, like dutilul son. wrote home
for his fsther and mother, asking them TO
come ont 10 him, aud, it they possibly could
to bring with them a lark. The old folks
agreed and in due time, with lark in
charge they took ship and left the shores Of
England.
The old man, however, took the change 3,
much to heart that he died but the old
woman and the lark landed in sound health
at Melbourne, aud we're speedly forwarded to
Mr.. Wilsted's store at " The Ovens' 1t was
on Tuesday when they arrived, aud the next
lhuIulut tue ihIh was hulE NuA0AAc ANN huAf
and at once began piping up The effect was
wonderful. Sturdy diggers-big men with
hairy faces aud great brown haDds-paused
in the midst Of their work and listened
rcverenty. Drunken diggers left unfinished
the basphemous sentence, and looked be-
widered aud ashamed Far and near the
news spread like lightning. Have you
heard the lark ?" 4" Is 1t true, mate that
there is real English skylark up at Jack
Wilsted's2"
SO it went for three days, and then came
Sunday morning. Such a sight had not been
seen since the first spadefu Of the golden earth
had been turned From every quarter east
west, north, and south--from far off hill, and
from creeks twenty miles away, came a steady
stream Of rough, brawny Engshmep, all
brushed and washed as decently as possible.
The movement was not arranged beforehand,
as was plain from the half.ashamed expression
Of every mans face as he met his acquaint.
ances in the crowd. There they were how
ever, and their errand was to hear the lark
Nor were they disappointed. There perched
in his wood-and-ron pulpit, was the little
minister and, as if he knew the Importance
Of the task before him. he plumcd his crest,
and lifting up his voice, sang them a sermon,
which touched his audience more closely than
perhaps even the bishop himself could have
done
1t was a wonderful sight to see those three
or four hundred men, some lying on the
ground some sitting with their arms on their
kuees, aud their heads on their hands, some
leaning against the trees with their eyes
closed, so that they might the better fancy
themselves at home, aud in the midst of Eng
iish corn6eds once more F.; but whether Sit
ting, standing, or lying all were equally
quiet and attentive; aud when, after an hours
steady preaching, the lark ceased, his audience
suddenly started off little low spirited, per.
haps, but on the whole happier than when
they came. Yes, and doubtless 10 many
breast the larks warbe had stirred the men,
ories Of the lessons learned in the village
school, or in the village church at home, and
had wakened unuttered Iougings for those
" means Of grace" for which they had cared
so little when they we're within their reach,
So the skylark preached his sermon, and
many Of the congregation wished that they
could have taken him away with them, to
preach to them in their distant diggings day
by day.
say, joe" one digger was heard to say
to another, do you think Wilsted would sell
him-the bird, you know III give as much
gold dust for him as he weighs, and think him
cheap"
Sell him not be :" was the indignant
answer; " how would you like fellow to
come to our village at nome, and make bid
for our parson2'