Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1865-04-28
For The Vermont PhGmr.
The Battle OF the Sheep.
D. GILBERT DEXTER,
+. j. SWIFT, NJ. D., Committee.
s. A. CLARK.

In certain country dwet many sheep, and these
were of two kinds, the black and the white and the
black dwelt in the South country but the white dwet
amid the hills of the North Yet for n long time had
they one fold and one shepherds but the black sheep
said, we not better than they? for they kept in
bondage great tribe of the monkeys to serve them
And if any should say, how should the monkeys serve
the sheep seeing that they quick and nmble? let
them know that these monkeys are not like to other
monkeys, for by reason of long serving their spirit had
departed from them.
And it to pass in certain days the black sheep
arose and said, ave will no longer follow Abraham,
our shepherd nor deal with our brethren among the
hills, for they not mean and ill-iavored?" And
they chose them another shepherd, whose name was
jeff, and said, ave will follow him." But Abraham
said Not so; and there arose great war in the land
and many were slain.
And it came to pass after four years, in which the
land had no rest, that the sheep Of the North
and took their stronghold aud drove out their mighty
mem and Abraham dwelt in the tents of jeff.
Then they ut the North rejoced with great Joy
But among them dwet other sheep which were nei-
ther black nor white, but ring-streaked. Yet hated
they the white, and loved the black but dared not fol-
low item lest they be smtten and destroyed. So
while the black fought they followed afar off, aud
made ptliul sounds to grieve their enemy thereby.
And when the sounds of rejoicing fell upon their
they were sore vexed, and shut themselves in their
brothers were discounted.
And IN one little village of the hill country dwet
many white sheep, and some rng-sreakedi and when
these could no longer iorbear for JOY at the glad lid
ings, many lambs went forth and sounded bells Of re-
Jocing Then the rlng-streaked sheep were wroth yet
the more.
And among these dwelt one bigger than the rest,
which had great possessions; and her dwelling was
craven with 'eornshes' and 'pilo,es" (ns she herself
saith) and much more, by reason of which her heart
was proud and lifted above those who dwet around
hers and she hated them with great hatred. And
her daughter the little Sheep like unto her And
because her brethren Mt the South had monkeys to
serve them, she also had monkey. Now when these
two heard them making merry ii troubled them ex
ceedingly, and they said "Surey they triumph over
us" And for two nights and day were the big and
little sheep sore vexed, aud could not sleep. Then
SAID they, ITO to now, let confOund these lambs
who veN our ears with their noises. Let us make a
feast and bid them to III aud when they come let
them ma no one save the monkey only for We will
arise and depart" So they made ready their feast
(as rumor sath) and closed the doors of their goody
apartments Qest the lambs enter therein) and called
for their chariot and departed
Now when the lambs were hidden they marveled
greatly, and though they loved the monkey better
than the sheep yet said they, ave will not go up to