Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-06-21
DARBY AND THE RAM.


her gayest mood, was lavishing her promises and
her smiles to her often ungrateful children, the
lambs were skipping to and fro within their en-
closed pastures, and the COWS, with grave and ma
tron aspect, were lolling in the sun, and rumina-
ting their already gathered repast-everything
seemed happy except the shepherd Darby. ..s |
Poor fellow! green and yellow melancholy |
had settled on his manly cheek; his grief he re-
vealed not, but let ''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. : .-...~ : II a.~.
Lord Amplefeld and Squire Buckthorn were
riding past to dinner.
''I wonder" said his lordship to the squire,
/" what can be the matter with my shepherd OAR
by He seems in galloping consumption, and
We're to lose him, would not see his like again
for many a long day. He is the most honest,
steady, careful creature in the world, and never
told lie in his life"
"Never told lie in his life Good! Why,
my lord, do you really believe such nonsence ?"
Decidedly do. I know your opinion is not
very favorable to the moral character 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
served the pastures
''It did. my lord, and the cows will give larger
meal and require milking earlier this evening
"Darby, bring over my favorite ram, that this
gentleman may it"
''Yes, my lord. Halo, Sweeper, away for Ball
face
In few minutes the dog hunted the ram up
from the flock.
''That's clever turn, my worthy, said the
squire, there's half crown to drink. "
Thanks to your honor, said Darby, but the
worth of that in strong drink will serve me
year, and yet I'll spend it on drink all in one
night"
'Explain this riddle, Darby"
"Why, sir, when l feel myself merry enough
without it, where's the use in taking it? That
stream slake my thirst as we'll. Yet I'n not
speak for others-Inany 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 philosopher"
said Lord Ampletield with look of triumph as
he and the squire rode off. "What say you to
my shepherd now p
"a mighty plausible fellow, indeed Yetproud
as you are Of him, my lord, bet score of sheep
that before two days I'll make him tell you bare
faced lie out and OUT
"Done !'' said his lordship.
The wager was laid and the squire set out on
his e-making expedition.
He soon ascertained the cause of Darby's melan-
choly. There had been a quarrel between him
and the girl of his heart, the lovely Cauthleen.-
Pride prevented a reconciliation, though both
would have given the world to be in each others
arms. To her the squire bent his steps, succeed
ed in drawing out the secret that she loved Darby
with heart and half, and then artfully upbraid-
ed her with unkindness in negecting the ''worthy
young fellow" who dying for her, contrived
to inveigle her. by series of falsehoods, into q
plan to get reconciled to Darby, and while in the
height of his happiness, to coax the ram from him.
It succeeded next day to admiration-apd the
laughing girl tripped home, leading the animal
with kerchief taken from her snowy bosom.
Darby was now left to solitary reflection. The
hour was rapidly approaching when his lordship
usually took his round, and he would infalibly
10, ,I>o%~r - lo1
tell lie appeared to his honest mind the very es-
sence of degradation-to equivocate was neanness
execrable-yet an excuse must be had A sud
den thought seized him-he resolved to how allie
would look before he told it so placing his hat
stake, in order to personate himself he retired
to little distance, and, in the character of his
lordship, hailed the efigy follows
Good morrow, Darby
"GoOd morrow. Day lord.
Chow are the hocks to-day, Darby %
Pretty fair, my lord"
DARBY, don't see my favorite ram-where is
he 2" -..
ooh, my lord, he-he-he.'
sc He what Darby.
"He was drown ed-1ny-my lord -
darby if did not know your general charac-
ter for carefulness, should feel exceedingly an
noyCd, but l presume it was al accident. Send
the fat and hide up to the castle.
''That won't dol" murmured Darby, slowly
turning away He resolved to try again
"Good morrow, Darby
OOOQ morrow, my lOru
care the focks we'll o-day, Darby ?'
''Bravely, my lord
"And my ram, Darby, where is he ?"
"My lord, he-he-.'
is there anything wrong tell me at once
4" He was stolen, my-lOrd.
"Stolen stolen saw him this morning as I
was riding past. When was he stolen %
"That won't do, either" exclaimed the poor
shepherd, as he turned away the second time
" Cruel, cruel Cauth !"
Something seemed to whisper to him, "Iry if
perhaps the truth will do I! ="
Fresh courage animated his desponding mind,
and wheeling about, he recommended the colloquy,
is the RAM" he dropped on his knees and ex-
claimed
:: On, my lord, I had falling out with my
sweetheart, and she would not make it up with me
unless I made her present of your lordship's IA
vorite ram. Discharge me, my lord do with me
what you please, but could not bring myself to
tell your lordship a lie !"
"That will do" shouted Darby, springing from
his knees, and walking up and down with feel
ing of honest exutation He had scarcely time to
compose himself when his lordship and the squire
appeared. Darby, the usual interrogation be.
ing put, dropped on his knees, and told "the
truth the whole truth, and nothing but the TRUTH"
and instead of seeing frown gathering on his
lordships countenance he beh. Id him turn with
look of triumph towards the squire, while he ex-
claimed ....t
can honest mans the nobest work of God"
The ladies are informed, in conclusion, that the
squire's forfeited sheep given to Cauthleen
dover, and in taking the hand of her shep-
herd, she promised never again to put his truth
and constancy to severe trial. T. E.
/ DESTRUCTION OF CROPS AND PROPERTY IN Texas.
The New Orleans Picayu,e says ........ Is. 4.
1--WE learn from Jefferson Texas that so sud