The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-10-18
THE SHEPHERD.
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH,
BY THE EDITOR.

a- TcoNcLUDED FROM OUR LAST
The curate. during the long winter evenings
which gave much spare time to Petit Pierre, who
had enclosd his sheep in warm stable, taught
him to read and also to write; thus giving him the
two keys to Knowledge. Petit-Pierre made rapid
progress, because it was as much his heart as his
mind that desired to learn The worthy curate,
having undertaken to give his student instruction
above the humble sphere in which he moved, was
pleased to see blossoming one after another the
faculties of that young mind. To that attentive
gardener, it was an interesting spectacle.
The ice melted away, the snow-drop aud the
cowslip began to shoot forth timidly, and Petit
Pierre took again the management of his flock
He was no more the poor boy that we saw in the
commencement of this narrative; he had grown
q tall and acquired strength. Nature bad made an
appeal to his resources in order TO assist in the de-
velopement of his new faculties. By the unfolding
of his brain, his temples were enlarged. His eye,
hereafter arrested upon design. had clear and
steady look. As in everyinteectual head, there
might be seen shining over his person the reflec
tion OF an inward fire. Not that he was devoured
by the sickly ardour Of precocious ambition; but
the essence of science, although poured by the
good pastor with prudent discretion. caused in
that young mind aspecies of intoxicaion which
well nigh turnedin into pride. Happily, Petit.Piere
was not publicly known Neither the trees nor
the rocks were halterers. The immensely Of ma
ture, with which he was always in connection,
brought him back to knowledge Of his own little
ness Abundantly supplied, by the pastor, with
paper and pencils, he sketched great number of
pieces, il seemed that he had IN his hand the pen
Gil of gold with the flaming point, and the lady,
leaning upon his shoulder, saying to him. 4" 1t is
well. my friend. You have not extngushed the
spark which threw into your heart. Per,evere,
and you will have your reward" Petit-Piene
having acquired fine sense of form, comprehen-
ded in what particular the lady was beautiful, aud,
with that thought, his bosom heaved. He looked
upon his old barred Handkerchief where the stain
was, although grown brown, as being distinguish.
ed, and he sald: Blessed blood, which has flown
in her veins, which has mounted from her heart to
her head" yrE oaN 8.,is & i.
With the same sincerity that we have avowed
above that Pett-Pierre was not in love, we must
now admit that he is, and with all the strength of
his mind. The adored image is ever present to
him. He sees it in the trees, IN the clo- ds, and in
the foam of the cascade. He has, indeed, made
great progress. i ~ @ .iea
b An event very simple in itself and which is not
the least in the world dramatic, (but it is necessa-
ry that we tell it to you,) decided entirely the
pursuits of Petit Pierre, and changed the course
of his life. M t
~ The Deputy of the District had obtained from
the Minister Of the Interior sacred painting for
the church o.; the painter, who was man
Of talent and dilgent in his labors. accompanied
his canvass and wished to choose himself the place
where il should be suspended. He called al the
psrsousge and the pastor did not fail to speak ofthe
shepherd painter, who had so much taste for de- |
signing and who had made sketches promising such