Charley's Wonderful Journeys. 



lOI 



wild goose stepped forward and ad- 

 dressed the assemblage : 



" Our task is done," said he. " It 

 was good for us to be here; good to 

 be reminded of the uncertainty of life; 

 good to realize that sooner or later we 

 too must all depart to the unknown 

 realms beyond, but our duty done 

 there is no need to linger. Life has 

 its duties — let us hasten to their per- 

 formance — its joys, let us give vent to 

 them in gladsome notes. Away then, 

 my feathered friends, hasten to your 

 respective duties, the performance of 

 which will banish all thoughts of death 



and sorrow, and bring its reward in the 

 calm enjoyment which springs from the 

 consciousness of duty done. Away, breth- 

 ren, labor and love and song are the lot of 

 the living." 



As he ceased he ran a step forward, 

 spread his broad wings, and soared aloft. 



All the birds followed his example. For a 

 moment nothing was heard but the flapping 

 of wings. The next moment woodland and 

 meadow resounded with the joyous notes 

 of all the feathered tribes, vying with each 

 other in song, while from high overhead 

 fell the pleasing although less musical note 



