Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-05-05
1a,lcaster flltelligerlcer.
SATURDAY EVENING, MAY S. 1888
A POINTED FABLE.

The vuIture's Obituary observations.
Rev. Dr. J. ii. Dubbs in Guardian.
The Nightingale was dead, and all the
birds of the forest had gathered to the
funeral. There was perfect silence. 1t
would have been a desecration for the
sweetest warbler of them all to lift up his
voice; for even his most liquid notes
would have seemed mockery at the grave
of PhilOmcla.
Suddenly a hoarse, crOaking voice was
heard in the top of tree. All the birds
looked up, and behold a great foul vul
ture, whose eyes blazed with wrath be-
cause he had not received al invitation to
the funeral.
"Who is to be buried ?" he croaked in
tones of contempt.
Everybody felt certain that the vulture
was aware that the nightingale was dead :;
but the birds had gentle manners, and the
wood lark, whose voice was sweetest,
said
"PhilOmela, our most charming song
ster, is dead, and We mourn because we
shall never again listen 70 her voice.
HencefOrth the forest will seem de-
serted, and our best songs viii but serve 10
remind those who remain Of the charming g
melodies of the departed"
The vulture shrugged his shoulders and
replied:
"Well, the nightingale Was 4 pretty
good singer, l confess but IN may 70
spects she did not occupy the b'ghost
rank. She certainly was nr5 beautiful.
| am sure there is not a single bird IN
this assembly who Las not tiDer tes,thals
A single peacock feather has m"re beauty
than all the plumage Of the nightingale.
"How very weak she was While
others sailed above the clouds she nevcl
ventured TO rise high above nc: dwelling
Her size was contemplate. Even now l
could dispose of her remains without iiud
ing enough meat on her bones To wEet my
appetite.
Besides, her sight was not very accu
rate. I do not like to speak of myself,
but venture to say that can see dead
horse ut twice the distance from which ii
could have been discerncd by your won
derful songster.
Even her singing, it must be confessed
was mOnOtOnous, and her range was
limited. Her themes were commonplace,
and she d welt by preference on subject 5
which have tendency to affect the feel
ings; and this, you will acknowledge, is
not high art. l admire Philomela, and
ADMIT That She was we'll DehaVed Dlru,
keeping out Of society as became persrIl
of her humble condition. May sho rest in
peace %
The speech Of the vulture was not with
out effect. Several foolish little s,.a,ruws
began to sneer at the departed, and oven
imagined that one of them might possibly
be chosen to fill the vacant position OF
chief chorister.
But on old Owl, VIII" had been seated iii
a dark corner, said, after due reflection
"All that has been said only proves tla.
the nightingale was not vulture, and you
may be sure that she did not wish to be
Her song may have been commonplace,
but it added delight to our common lie
and was blessing to us all. Above all, le,
US remember that there is II" one among
us who can sing as we'll aS she did. dc
not believe that even the un'nvited cues.
up yonder can equal 4 single one OF the
strains which he has called commonplace
Ho! Mr.. Nulture, will you please load Us
in singing ?'
The vuiture said not a word, but sailed
away over the tree-tops, seeking society il
which his critical ability mi ght be better
appreciated.
Aioral This fable teaches that critic
cannot always write epics.