The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-28
REyERIE NO. 2.

have taken fight, but not to rest Away away
here, there and everywhere-now flying across
the broad prairies, drinking. in, with exquisite
delight memories Of midsummer beauties Of the
great Northwest But country where every
thing freezes but spirit thermometers has few
attractions for wandering thoughts, even at this
season of the year. So the bird of passage turns
to the beautiful Southland, with its murmuring
forests of pine, its rich, cinging ivy, and where
glinting sunrays sparkle aad flash on the grand
old magnoliasi
My despair deepens AS the play at hide and
seek goes on, wild and reckless, utterly defying
every principle supposed 10 govern welreguated
thoughts. My pen drops lazily from my hand
as listen to the faithful little clock. There is
music in its steady tick tickl and music hath
charms. See! the charm has reached these tru-
ant fancies, and once more they report ready for
duty. A low bow IS made aud hearty hand is
given to the queer old text, "Let every one
sweep before his own door, and the work be-
gins. Queer, do you say2 Yes, and homely,
too, and, for that very reason. deserves recogni-
ton We are so much in the habit of looking
in the direction of the pleasant and agreeable.
we come TO forget that all things cannot be fair,
ity and earnestness of every day life, and, when
we do catch a glimpse of something not just
suited to fastidious taste, we feel that it was
never meant for us. Our first impulse is to
bundle it up, and make present of it to
'nextdoor neighbor.' The very nature in our
world of contrast forbids that all things should
be bright and comely; hence we sec much that
IS eommonplace-eve homely. We have
homely men and women, homely chill
dren; everything animate and inanimate
holds in some nook or corner something that at
first sight might be thus classified. say at first
sight from the fact that much that seems insight
ly, perhaps hideous. may upon closer acquaint
ance. become very agreeable. We often con-
denim simply because we no not understand.
Experience keeps dear school, but certain
class of individuals will learn in no other! had
an experience once. learned something mo
unpleasant reflection meant), and right here that
little story comes in. Will you hear t2
Once upon a time, will not say how long
ago. professor in OF colleges was
earnestly solicited by restless class of students
for something to write upon Subjects, if you
please, high sounding ones, too!-heads full of
number one ideas, but only strong magnets could
draw them out The professor looked just lit
tie amused. and with merry Wrinkle in his eye,
said Tut. tut! Your subject is the least part
of your workable snakes. toadS, anything
the simpler the better!" Snakes, toads,
anything. indeed! What could he meant The
simpler the better--of course that meant--well,
anybody could take that in; anyway, we appre-
ciated the compliment (!). However being
law abiding citizen. |, for one, yielded obedience
to my superiors and decided to brave the worst
feature and to my mind at least. chose the worst
Tono barn Lot Wit "a t1a cnir of
martyr, wrete in big round letters my subject,
''The Toad" Now. had it been that noisy mite
of tree toad about which BIZ. Riley discourses
so eloGuentiy. the topic would have been very
pleasant, for we are. all interested in his little
cunning ways True the notes of his song are
not specially noted for harmony and smoothness.
yet there are times when no other music sounds
one half SO sweet-the time when flowers begin
to droop and fade, the grass withers and
tho water in the cstern runs low
call it superstition, if you lke-it is
nevertheless a fact that most people are firm be-
levers in the tree toad We hear his voice
and soon the patter, patter OF rain; the mys
terious connection between the two is not for us
to know. Then lis ability to change his COM
plexion to suit his surroundings. seems so like
unto mans wisdom that we mark him 100 per
cent. on that Accomplishment and with one ac
cord label the "tree toad good subject. But
my kind of toad the common, homey.
muddy, brown, knotty-coated toad. and 1T was
in fair way to become an exceedingly knotty
AFFAIR 10 me. NnaJ L Knew OF MIN was not 10
love- and to my knowledge none had named him
to praise had usually made it n point in
coming in contact with his toadship. to follow
the example of the Levite and pass by one the
other side" | had really felt little sympathy
with wicked old Pharoah, when the second
terrible plague was sent upon him. 1t
was always very clear why he
constrained to let the people go"
He just couldn't help i'll had even doubted
Miss Onhelias declaration that she would ''as
fngp fOain aS
But, having made my selection, it should never
be said had suffered defeat at the hands Of
toad therefore, as the lawyers say. the investi
CATION began, and am free to confess that as
studied his mod of life his manners, customs,
likes and dislikcs. my interest became intense;
prejudice meltetl away like early dew III the
morning sun. The mist began to disappear. aud
/ felt that the toad was ginning ground.
In looking back through his long line of noble
ancestors deeds of wrong found
corded; the balance was all ia his favor He is
not vicious. neither is he venomous, many
suppose. He has never been distinguished for
his social qualities, but pray tell me. what en-
couragement has he had in that wayi His whole
mission seems that of doing good: protecting
gardens against the ravages OF bugs worms
and other annoying insects and Icy means of his
appetite. which is said 70 be enormous, he be-
comes public benefactor. Other tongues may
wag in vain, but not so with his; it means
dainty morsel every time. His eyes beauti-
full aud bright, yet. w;thai, the very embodiment
of meekcess and the way he bows his head and
hatteus out his little cold. honiely body when he
sees that bad boy has never Yet been equaed
by bird beast. or creeping thing. 1t is
purely original with the toad. The length Of his
life is marvellous indeed-,he ordinary span
bein. from forty to fifty Years; however If we
deduct the time which is rounded with Sleep
it will bring down the figures
But, the most wonderful Of all his attributes
if you please his commercial vaue-s the pre-
cious jewel in his head, concerning which there
has been much speculation. Shakespeare held
the belief that the jewel referred to his spark
ling eyes. Others have supposed that it meant
his mild and meritorous character as a whole
whilr a few are inclined TO be skeptical and
count the VII lie thing myth. Be that it
may, 4ong before my investigation ended he be.
came not only endurable, bat really attractive.
The scales lad fallen from my eyes. / looked
beyond the rough exterior. and saw the quiet.
patient little creature, who, though much abused,