The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-06-30
MISCELLANEOUS.
DARBY AND THE RAM.

Twas one of those days when the sun
in its perpendicular altitude looks at two
sides of The hedge q. once--a lovely mid
summer day, when nature was laughing
till her sides ached, and mother earth in
her gaycst mood, was lavishing her promi-
ses and her smiles to her often ungrateful
children, the lambs were skipping to and
fro within their enclosed pastures, and the
cows, with grave and matron aspects,
were lolling in the sun, and Illuminating
their already gathered repast-every
thing seemed happy except the shepherd
Darby. -
Poor fellow! A. "green and yellow
melancholy" had settled on his manly
check; his grief he revealed not, but le,
"concealment, like worm i the bud,'
prey upon his spirits; he stalked about the
field like ghost, or leaned upon his crook
in silent despair.
Lord Ample6eld and Squire Buckthorn
were riding past to dinner.
wonder" said his lordship TO the
squire. "what can be the matter with my
shepherd Darby. He seems in gallop-
ing consumption and were / to lose, him.
/ would not see his like again for many
a long day. Hei the most honest, stea.
DIV, careful creature in the world, and
never told lie III his life"
"Goodl Why nv lord, do you really
believe such nonsease?"
decidedly | Do; know your opinion
is not very favorable as to the moral char
acter of our dependents, yet there are
some among them not unworthy of trust" ;"
They now advanced nearer and his
lordship held up his whip as signal, and
over bounded Darby. "Well, Darby,
that shower we had last night ser'ed the
pastures"
at did, my lord, and the cows will give
a larger meal; and require milking earlier
this evening through means of it."
"Darby, bring over my favorite ram.
that this gentleman may see it.
"Yes my lord. Halloo, sweeper, away
for Balface."
Ina few minutes the dog hunted the
ram up from the flock. "That's clever
turn, my worthy said the squire; "here's
half crown to drink"
"Thanks to your honor" said Darby;"
but the worth of that in strong drink will
serve me a year; and yet I'll spend it in
drink all in one night"
explain this riddle, Darby"
why, sir, when feel myself merry
enough without it, where's the use in
taking it That stream can slake my
thirst as well. Yet ri. not speak for
others many a one there are, who must
have strong drink to give them false
spirits. On them will | spend it to open
their hearts, and make them forget their
days toll"
.You are worthy fellow, and a phi
Iosopher," said Lord Ample6eld, with a
look Of triumph, as he and the squire rode
off. What say you to my shepherd
now 7" :,
"a mighty. plausible fellow, indeed!
Yet proud as you are Of him, my lord,
bet a score of sheep that before two days
III make him tell you bare-faced lie out
and out"
"Doner said his lordship, and the
squire set out on his I1E-making exPedl-
ton.
He soon ascertained the cause of OAR
by's melancholy. There had been a
quarrel between him and the girl Of his
heart, theIovely Cauthleen. Prldepreven,,
ted reconciliation, through both would
the world to be in each others arms. 10
her the squire bent his steps, succeeded
in drawing out The secret that she loved
Darby with all her heart and a halt, and
then artfulIy upbraiding her unkindness IN
inncglccting the worthy yyoungiellow, VINO
was dying for her, contrivedto inve1gleher
by series of ffalsehoods, into plan to get
reconciled to Darby, and whleinthe height
of his happiness, to coax the ram from him.
1t succeeded next to admiration, and the
laughing girl tript home leading the ami
NAL with handkerchief, from her snowy
bosom.
Darby was left now to his solitary re-
Election. The hourwas rapidly approach
ing when his lordship usually took his
round. and he would infallibly miss his ia
yorite ram. What was to be. donel To
tell LIE appeared to his honest mind
the very essence of degradation; to EeUrv-