The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-04-03
A Story for the Sons Of Toll.

"a 0VOAy 1V1 IuO 0O1S " 4O11
Once upon time the beasts of thu
field and the birds of the air Assem-
bled in shady grove in order to en-
10y pleasant reunion, and for the tim
to forget all differences in social stand
ing, attainments, or general usefulness
The elephant was chosen to preside
not so much on account of his grea
size as for certain quality he seemed
to possess of controlling turbulen
mass of his fellow creatures. Upor
taking the chair, the elephant kindly
thanked the assembly for the honor
conferred upon him. disposed Of his
trunk, and waving his right leg over
the crowd, announced the meeting
open for business.
The horse was the first speaker, and
said: II can we'll remember when
my race were won't to course oyer the
boundless prairies, snuff the free air OF
heaven, and crop the fresh green herb
age of the earth but lordly man has
captured and subdued them, until but
a few are left, and that in place Of en-
he conceived to be
the true aim in life-nothing seemed
of any Importance but work."
The eagle then said: "The horse
must be but sorry sort of animal, or
he would not submit to such restraint
as these cruel men put upon him that
he might still be free if he would, and
that very few ever heard of an eagle
being made subservient to man." For
my part l consider enjoyment as our
rightful heritage and shall never sub
NIT to being mere beast of burden"
The multitude applauded, and some
flom the more conservative
about the lack of adaptation on the
part Of the royal bird, were drowned
amid the confusion.
The OK appearing then spoke: "My
race, too, were once free, and some
are so now, but since being subject to
The will of man, think we have been
better treated, better fed, and are in
every way in q more envia BILE posi-
ion than some / could name who live
n a sort of from hand-tO-mouthw way.
rruo, our masters sometimes kill and
,at us, but have learned from expert.
,nce that unless we submit uncOndi-
ionally to the will of man, they would
I'LL us upon every occasion from mere
pite or a desire to exterminate US. As
or me, am willing slave, ignoble
hough may be, and serve my master
'ecause like to-"
The fox, the tiger and some others
hon arose, but the elephant declared
he fox entitled to the floor. The fox
hen said: "I have hesrd of animals
to the tyrannical rule of
nan from choice, but never credited |
he statement. AS for myself, l have
ever done SO, and never will, and I
hink the quiet submission on the part
+ the OK arises from q lack Of the |
roper cunning in circumventing the
of man." .,... ..- |
The nightingale, seeing the trouble
hat was arising volunteered q songs:
IS am happy and free.
am happy and free.
Free as the sunlight and air;
No work nor toll for me,
No work nor toll for me,
I'm free from labor and care.
Iwander o'er the fields,
Iwander o'er the fields,
And right merrily sing;
While flowers their perfume yield,
While flowers their perfume yield.
For the joyous songs bring.
1 come and gaily go.
come and gaily 60.
With never a thought Of toll;
'Tis better thus know,
IT'S better thus know.
Than dreary life of turmoil"
But though her song was light and
ay, she was troubled with the thought
hat perhaps she had mistaken the
urpose aud aim of life. So, leaving
ne noisy crowd she sought retired
art of the wood, near an open field.
here she spied a solitary ass nibbling
way at thistle. She spoke 10 him
1 fattering tones: "Oh, high and
Eighty ass, having entire confidence
l your judgment and discretion.
ave come to you to ask for what pur-
ose we were created" The ass re-
lied j: "Then knowest, most beauti-
Il and sweet-voiced lady, that l am
despised race; lowly, but ser-
iceable and honest ass, and that sell
ON am sought for counsel or for
,cial enjoyment, but rather for the
,eer and the rude jest, and that may
for my solitary condition to-
ay. But since thou dost ask my
pinion, sweet lady, will answer thy
uestlon in all candor and sincerity.
[Owever, am unable to say, with any
egree of certainty, for what purpose
on or others were placed here, but
now, oh, nightingale, that the mission
f the ass is to work! Know farther,
nat work properly performed, duties
ischarged and requirements met, can
lake happy with such rare enjoy
lent as thou hast never known, the
owly and ignoble ass. Though poor,
espised, forsaken, the ass is-by vir-
ne of his patience, forbearance and
entitled to be called
King Of Beasts instead of the lion,
Who preys upon others, leads life Of
'ase, and pays mere attention to ex.
ernal appearance than internal adorn-
no."