Weekly graphic., 1881-11-25
Little Story for Gentlemen.
Ry Eliza S. TURNER.


They stood. but that was their way ofsit
ting, for they were quite at their ease
The blackbird looked gratefully up t
the large relation who spoke to him ST
kindly: the crow. who wears Sunday
clothes all the week, and couldn't be ;
bit more dignitied, even with spectacles
spoke as follows:
.You blackb.rds are doubtless awar.
that we look upon YOU with tender adj
miration, in fact some have gone so fal
as to consider the blackbird heaven.
frs, best gift to the crow
First best gift-how pretty !" sale
the blackbird; and he straightway made
it into a little song.
That's right" said the crow."I am
pleased with you I'VE don't sing ourselves
because-becaw-caw-"he here he sc,
hi, head on one side. and stopped e
ponder.
Because you can't!" suggested the
blackbird, respectfully.
Not at ALL" said the crow; "it's be.
Gavin fact it's question Of spheres.
Our sphere, you observe, is the world;
for instance, we see to the weather. and
preside over corn-plantings, and hold
conventions, and continually prepare
new theorems concerning that still un.
fathomed mystery; but why Cypress with
these ponderous themes little simple
songster"
But you would perhaps explain. y
said the little blackbird with great def:
erenCe.
II refer to the questionable great
question of this and proceeding ages,
why men, when they have prepared us
a field of corn, end by stretching un.
meaning lines across it, and even erect
strange beings, with spreading arms, in
the midst These things do not help
us: OF: the contrary, they are unpleasant
ly bewildering. Why, then 81 shall
never rest until l know why"
THAT comes of your logical mind"
said the blacKbird.
II am pleased with you,' said the
crow, and getting down from the fence,
he stepped about on the ground in a
highly superior manner
"How distinguis he'd said the black
bird. "And we, sir?"
"Youz oh-haw. We do all of these
things and you sing to us while we are
doing them. You have no idea how
inspiring it is to US, when We are engag-
ed in these important matters, to know
that you are sympathizing at a distance,
suiting all your nice little tunes to all
our changes, and setting, so to speak,
our lives to music. Haw!"
"Oh, how sweet! said the blackbird
beginning at once to whistle it. "But
suppose he suggested, lust suppose
YOU know, that some of us didn't like
the singing, or wished to try those 9TH
er ways of living!"
THAT wouldn't do at ALL said the
crow coming back. You must be fond
of singing. A crow without a black
bird to am liorate him. 1t might SUBJ
vert the unities. Haw!'
"Still if we should" said the black.
bird. with timid persistence.
Then" said the crow severely, you
would lose your infuence;;" and again
he got down from the fence and step
ped about.
"Dear, DEAR" said the little one, trem.
bling, "I'll never do it. Please sir,
what is influenced"
Influence my child, is that very beau
tiful-haw. that Observation-Disclosures. in
short, it means that if you only take |
pains to find out what we like to do, YOU
can almost always sooth us into doing
it. But, whatever you may think Of our
doings, always remember that our high
toned natures cannot brook censure,
and that the only way to preserve your
influence is to meet US with song
"I'll try to remember" the blackbird
said. and they parted.
The next day Jack and Jenny Black
bird were happy, feeding theirvery first
brood.
There's a shoulder for you" said
|enny. "Sweet, sweet, spread out your
wings. | think they'll fly by tomorrow
81 consider this really remarkable
mouth, y said Jacky, dropping worm
81 don't see why, with our social
advantages, we couldn't train them to
'e almost equal to crows. I'm sure
ur cousin will visit us. And he saysif
'e want to keep on good terms that We {
nust always meet him with a song, and
&c constantly careful not to lose our in.
uence"
whats thats' said Jenny. "Do see J
ow he balances. He'll certainly fly by c
)-morrow." 1t
81 don't know exactly. but we keep a
by letting them have their own way,
nd especially by singing; and if we lose :,
, they'll be sure to despise S.
"You don't say SOL" said Jenny. n
That We couldn't endure All, heav- f
n above, what's this2" S
For something had suddenly swooped q
own into the nest and carried off the g
in its talons. 1t
''Oh, cousin" cried Jacky, you've II
OF our eldest child :" "
ayes, am quite fond of them, ''said n
lie large large cousin afably. "What f,
nice little pair you are! But why don't :. i
ou slngs As l told you, we always ex ID
ect to be met with a song" tt
"But you've got our child" screamed W
emmy; ''Oh, you're hurting him." A
81 won't hurt him more than must" h
i'd the crow, considerably. but par :,
On me if l notice-haw. an absence 1t