The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-10-31
A Little Story for Gentlemen.

-S- N~-~-S--S-s
Once upon a time a crow and blackbird
stood on a fence-rail conversing. They
stood, but that was their way Of ofsitting,
for they were quite at their ease. The
blackbird looked gratefully up to the
large relation who spoke to him so kind
ly; the crow, who wears Sunday clothes
all the week, and couldn't be more dig
nified, even with spectacles, spoke as
follows:
"You blackbirds are doubtless aware
that we look upon you with tender ad-
miration; in fact, some have gone so far
as to consider the blackbrd heavens
first best gift to the crow"
"First best gift-how prettyw said the
blackbird; and he straitway made it into
a little song.
That's right said the crow; az am
pleased with you; we don't sing our
selves because be-caw-eaw-" here he
sat his head on one side and stopped to
ponder.
Because you can't" suggested the
blackbird, respectfully.
Not at all,n said the crow; 'it's be-
Gavin fact it's a question of sph eres.
Our sphere, you observe, is the world;
FOR instance, we see to the weather, and
and preside over corn paintings, and
hold conventions, and continually pre-
pare new theOrems concerning that still
unfathomed mystery; but why Oppress
with these pOnderOus themes, a little
simple songster"
''But you would, perhaps, explain"
said the blackbird, with Difference.
81 refer to the questiOn-the question
Of this and preceding ages, why men,
when they have prepared US a field of
corn, end by streaching unmeaning
lines across it, and even erect strange
beings, with spreading arms, in the
midst. These things do not help us; on
the contrary, they are unPlesantly be-
wildering. Why, then?-I never shall
rest until l find out why?1
"lhat comes from your logic mind,u
said the blackbird
81 Rm pleased with yOu,n said the
crow, and, getting down from the fence,
he stepped about on the ground in a
highly superior manner.
"HOw distinguishedr thought the
blackbird. "And we, sir9n
"NOu? oh-haw. We do all these
things, and you sing to US while we are
doing them. You've no idea how in
spring it is to Us, when we are engaged
in these important matters, TO know
that you are sympathizinga at distance,
sniting your nice little tunes to all our
changes, and setting, so to speak, our
lives to music. Hawm
"Oh, how sweetr said the blackbird.
beginning at once 10 whistle IL. "But
suppose" he suggested, 'just suppose,
you know, that some of us didn't like
singing, or wished to try those other
ways of living?n
THAT wouldn't do at ALL" said the
crow coming back. "YOu must be fond
OF singing. a crow without a black
TO ameliorate him. Ii might subvert the
unities. HawW
'Still, if we should" said the black
bird, with timid persistence.
Then" said the crow, severely, "you
would lose your Influence" aud again
he got down from the fence, and stepped
about.
''Dear, dear" said the little one. trem-
bling, "pll never do 1t. Please, sir,
what is iniluence?"
Influence, my child, is that beautiful
-haw! that Observation-Disclosures! In
short, 1t means that, if you only take
pains to find out what we like to do.
you can almost always soothe us into
DONG 1t. But, whatever you may think
OF our doing, always remember that our
hlgh-toned natures cannot brook censure
and that the only way to preserve your
influence is to meet US with song.u
IN try to remember" the blackbird
said, and they parted.
The next day, Jack and Jenny black
brood.
There's shoulder for you, "said Jen-
ny. Sweet, sweet, spread out your
wings. l think they'll fly byto-mor-
row.
81 consider this really remarkable
mouth +" said Jacky, dropping a worm
IN IT, Il don't see why, with our social
advantages, we couldn't train them TO
be almost equal to crows. Pm sure our
cousin Will visit US. And he says If we
want 10 Keep on good terms we must al
ways meet him with song, and be con-
slahtiy careful not to lose our infiu-
ence.n
Whats that?" said Jenny. "Do see
now ne balances. He'll certainly fly by
tomorrow
i don't know exactly; but we keep il
by letting them have their own way,
loose il, they'll be sure to despise us.n
"Gou don't say SOP said JENNY
THAT We couldn't endure. All, heaven
above, what's this?'
For something suddenly scooped down
into the nest, and carried of the fiedge-
ling in its talon.
''0h, cousin" cried Jacky, 'you've
made a mistake-you've got our eldest
child!n
'Yes I'm quite fond of them,u said
the the large cousin, affably. "Nhat a
nice little pair you are! But why don't
you sing? As told you, We always
expect TO be met with a song"
But you have got our child, screamed
Jenny; "Oh, you're hurting himri
Il won't hurt him more than must,n
said the crow, considerably. "But par
uon me II l notice-hawi an absence of
that serene eheerfulness which ought to
be distinguishing blackbird trait.
Nhat' stu no music? Then begin to
Let us try our influence gasped
Jackyi perhaps il may soften him y
Ana they began wavering SOM.
How improving that isi'' ssid The
crow, with claw suspended GGPasii,,
their was one Instant when felt 40 e.,
allied that was on the point Of putting
the morsel back in the nest, il it had'nf
been quite so juicy. However, NAV he
] won't come back for more.n
''Still let US sing" said the PARENTS.
''if we lose our influence he will eaf
them all.U And while he was picking
the little bones, they sang until tneir
voices failed them with anguish.
Soon their large cousin left, but next
day he returned.
II regret" he remarked, "that you
fail TO bring me more fully under your