The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1873-05-24
The Spider and the Butterfly.

iHo uIoWD spIuer was as busy as q
bee" he had cast his long web upon the
winds, hoping that it might be waited
along the low forest shrubs to some ad-
Jacent tree, and become securely entan-
gled among its branches, for so he would
be enabled to construct net suitable for
the capture of his prey, which consisted Of
insects of many variousa kinds; and thus
he was proceeding with his work, high in
air among the lofty forest trees, whilst
the bright-colored China spider was
stretching the golded meshes of his web
upon the low shrubs which spread their
slender branches beneath the trees on
which the brown spider was employed :;
the yellow sllken webs of the China spid
er shOne brightly In the morning sun
beams, whereas the grey and inconsp1cu-
Gus net of the brown spider was all but
invisible.
Thus the spiders spread their snares,
each according to It's own method, with
the same intention of capturing all that
came across their respective paths.
The brown spider, when his net was
completed, retired TO a stem, and there
took up his position upon the branch of
tree from whence he could watch the
progress OF his snare without being OBJ
served: the bark Of the branch upon
which he had placed himself so closely
resembled his own color that 1T was diff
cult TO distinguish the spider from the
small knots or protuberances of the bark
Of The tree; whilst on the contrary, the
China spider, when his work was finished,
seated himself conspicuously in the yerv
h yah trh oh
upon the gay flaming shrubs which grew
within the open spaces of the forest.
Why do you do that ?" said the brown
spider to his gaily-colored companion:
why do you place yourself in the center
CT your net? 1t is most insane pro-
ceeding! You will scare away all the
game. See what pains | have taken for
tor the ccncealment of myself and work,
Take my advise, eomrade, and hide YOUR.
self beneath the leaves, or your bright
colcrs will render you conspicuous for
mlles away; the golden meshes of vour
web, too, are enough to scare away
everything there, it does not signify.
and 1t will be all the better for me, so |
Will leave you to your own folly.n
tls all very well to hide YOURSELF
rephed the painted spider; "indeed it is
the Wisest thing that you can do, for YOU
are not worth looking at-not fit TO be
seen III your old rough brown coat: be-
hind stem is just the place for youn
will stand none of YOUR insolence Z
indignantly replied the brown spider: if
you are not more civil a fight will termj-
nate our argument. Am | to be abused
because | do not wear coat of many
colors' I? Is 1T paint that distinguishes
IndlyIduals-that takes precedence in this
world Is yellow or blue more respect
able than brown | do not believe in
gaudy colors; they are mere pigments ::
even your net Is of Il golden hue What
Is the use OF all this outward show-of all
this pomp and pride and nonsence +? Bah /,
hate 1t all, and glory in my brown
coat
Pray do not lose your temper" said
the China spider wait a bit, and you will
see; time will show you the value of my
gay colors ;" and he shook himself i'm
patiently as he sat In the web, making its
golden meshes to tremble aed glitter in
the bright sunshine, whilst his own CAV
eolors were reflected in their bright rays.
and he looked more like lovely blossom
upon the low brushwood which was gent
~ shaken by the wind than like spider.
Thus the eyes of the brown spider were
opened to the stratagems of his rival
- Oh no !" exclaimed he, y now per
eelye what you are driving at: | see your
object plainly; 1t is treacherous and
vile You are passing yourself off as I.
flower, Tor the purpose of deceiving these
poor butterflies most undetermined
method of obtaining a iyelihood-treach-
cry and deceit. | would scorn to earn
my bread IN such manner No let me
snare whatever comes in my way in :.
fair, straightforward way 1 will never
deceive my Victims
"Oh, you need not pretend to be so
scrupulous,n replied the other spider.
/" Why do you SO closely resemble the
bark OF that tree? Is there no treachery
or deceit IN that? Indeed | cannot dis
Germ the great difference which you seem
To imagine exists between Yourself and
me; 1t Is merely the old tale over again,
two OF trade ETC., but gently, gently,
here comes the forest butterfly, with her
gold banded Wings and again the China
spider shook himself impatientlv upon the
glistening meshes Of his web.
pdyly Hltung from flower TO flower
came the pretty butterfly of the woods;
quahing nectar from their slender tubes
as she glided on beneath the checkered
shade regardless of all danger; she had
been sporting with her companions in
many merry gambol through the air,
and amongst the pale blue blossoms.
Upon broad leaves she had been basking
IN the bright morning sunshine. Alas
poor child of the sun. "Ishe was not aware
OF the shares that were prepared for her
by the rival spiders, who had stretched
their nets IN opposition to each other, and
were greedily watching her proceedings,
each hoping that she would be taken in
his own net, and not in that of his COM
panion; and again the painted spider
shook himself upon his web, as a fair
blossom might have been shaken by a
passing breeze; his glttering colors
caught the eye of the forest butterfly, and
installing them for flower she quilted
her sunny seat and darted into the fatal
snare. 1t was too late to retreat when