Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1896-04-02
The Fable of the Birds.

ing whom. amongst them was
worthy 10 be called the King of
Birds. There was the raven and
crow, the buzzard and the harpies
and many others too numerous to
mention, all anxious and eager to
be chosen. But the choice fell on
the eagle, because of his natural
gifts and noble character. So the
rest of the aspirants were compelled
to pocket their schagrin and make
the best of the defeat.
Perhaps the most Inundated of
them all was the crow, who was
now the victim of the old adage,
"The higher the hight the harder
fall" in consequence of which he
received more bruises than any the
rest. But he was wise in his
generation and resolved to make
the best of a bad matter, and so
betook himself to a pine tree,
wherein he made a home, and sent
word abroad to all the bird tribe to
come to him and he would show
them a way out of all their Difficult.
ties. In short time he had all he
could do advising and instructing
his numerous callers. When their
difficulties were stated he would
bow his head as if in profound
meditation, slyly keeping his eye
OH them all the while, in a short
time he would lift his head, assure
them that they were entirely in the
right and had only to remain firm,
and they would come out of the
trouole with honors. AS he was
very adroit and attentive in his
manners and interspersed his coun-
sci with many flattering personal
remarks, his client always departed
with the conviction that he had
been greatly benefited. But ere
they were allowed to entirely depart
the wise old crow would tap them
on the wing, wink his eye and
opening his mouth, point with his
Toe nail significantly down his
throat, "see that" he would say,
closing his mouth, only to open it
again Immediately to repeat the
performance. AS matter Of fact
the guest could see nothing but the
wide open mouth and the empty
crop of this ancient bird, but not
wishing to appear ignorant would
nod and wink in return, and answer
"yes indeed" That" would
continue the crow, lowering his
voice to a confidential whisper, "is
the aching void, Itquite distresses
me at times and when so afflicted I
am unable to assist my friends as
much as I should wish, but if you
could find some suitable thing to
fill that vacancy, I will see that it
will add greatly to your advantage"
And as he treated each and every
one in the same manner, and as
each departed fully determined to
obtain the requisite to his own ad-
management, that part of the land
was soon humming with their
united efforts.
AT length as they were flying
about they discovered the eagle
streached upon the ground and
Tapping his wings as if in the agony
OF death. Immediately there was
a great rush for the old crows
haunt and he was asked, Twill the
King of Birds fill the aching voidl"
"Yes, for the good of my fIiends I
think that it will" At this they
all departed with most unusual
activity; each striving to be the
first to fasten a claw in their fallen
monarch.
AS they settled about that pros
trate form no tears fell from their
beady, twinkling eyes and no head
was bowed in reverence to his
former greatness. They only saw
before them piece OF carrion whic h
would fill the aching void, and they
grasped him by his wings and be-
gan to drag him toward the pine
tree. But with the first movement
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