Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-07-10
DARBY AND THE RAM.


Twas one of those days when the sun
in its perpendicular altitude looks at two
sides Of hedge at once-a lovely .midsum.
mer dav-when nature was laughing till
her sides ached, and mother earth, in her
gaSest mood, was iavishing her promises
and her smiles to her often ungrateful chill
drcn, the lambs were skipping to and flo
within their enclosed pastures, and the
COWS, with grave and matron aspects,
were ,oIling in the sun, and Illuminating
their already gathered repast--every thing
seemed happy except the shepherd Oar
by.
Poor fellow! "a green and yellow mel.
ancholy." had settled on his family cheek
his grief he revealed not, but let "ccnceal,
ment, like worm i the bud,' prey upon his
spirits; he stalked about the field like a
ghost, or leaned upon his crook in silent
despair.
Lord AmpIeGeId and Squire Buckthorn
were riding past to dinner.
81 wonder,n said his lordship to the
squite, what can be the matter with my
shepherd Darby. He seems in gallopng
consumption, and were to lose him, would
not see his like again for many a long day.
He is the most honest, steady, careful crea-
ture in the world, end mover told lie in his
life"
"Good! Why, my lord, do you re.
ally believe such nonsense?"
"DecidedIy | do. | know your opn-
ion is not very favorable as to the NOR
al character Of our dependents, yet there
are some among them not unworthy Of
trust"
They now advanced nearer, and his lord
ship held up his whip as signal, and
over bounded Darby. "Well, Darby, thai
shower we had last night served the pas
lures"
sit did, my lord, and the COWS will
give larger meal, and require milk
ing earlier this evening, through means Of
it,"
"Darby bring over my favorite ram, that
this gentleman may see it,
Yes, my lord. Haloo, Sweeper, away
for Baiface.'
In few minutes the dog hunted the ram
up from the flock. "That's a clever turn,
my worthy said the squire; "there's halt
a crown to drink"
Thanks to your honor" said Darby y;
shut the worth OF that in strong drink will
serve me year, and yet I'll spendt in drink
all on one night
"ExpIain this riddle, Darby
"Why, sir, when feel myself merry e.
nough without il, where's the use in taking
it? That stream can Stake my thirst as
well. Yetl'll not speak for others-many
ii 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 phios
opher,' said Lord AmpIefeId, with a
look of triumph as he and the squire rode
of. "What say you to my shepherd
now?
"a mighty plausible fellow, indeed! Yet
proud as you are of him, my lord, bet
a score of sheep that before two days, l'II
make him tel you a bare-Iaced lie, out-and-
out"
.'Doney' said his Iordship, and the
squire set out on his LIE-making eXpedi-
tIOn.
lie soon aScertained the cause Of Darby's
melancholy. There had been a quarrel be-
tween him and the girl of his heart, the
lovely CdQlllecu' Llluc prevented Il re-
cancellation, though both would have given
the world to be in each others arms. ToI
h. the squire bent his steps, succeeded in
craving out the secret that she loved Oar
w with IA heart and haII, and then artfully
upbraiding her unklndness in neglecting the
sworthy young fellow who was dying for
her. conlriyed to nveiglo her, by series of
ialsehoods, into a plan to get rcconcied to
Darby, and while in the height of his hap
piness, to coax the ram from him. Ii sue
aeeded next to admiration, and the laugh
ing girl tript home, leading the animal with
'kerchief, taken from her snowy bosom.
Darby was left now to his solitary rellec-
tons. The hour was rapidly approaching
when his lordship usually took his round, |
and he would inaIibly miss his iavorite ram.
What was to be done! To tell a LIE ap.
peared to his honest mind the very essence
of degradation--tO EQUIvocATE was mean
ness execrable--yet an excuse must be had
\ sudden thought seized him; he resolved 10