Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-07-19
Mtstella1reous.
Darby and the Ram.

sides of the hedge at once-a lovely mid
summer day-when nature was laughing
till her sides sched, and mother earth, in
her gayest mood, was lavisbing 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 matronly as
pect, were lolling in the sun, and rum
mating their already gathered repast-
everything seemed happy except the shep'
herd Darby.
Poor fellow! A "green and yellow mel.
aucholy" had settled on his cheek; his
grief he revealed not, but let "concealment,
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 Amplefeld and Squire Buckshorn
were riding past to dinner.
81 WONDER" said his lordship to the
squire, "what can be the matter with my
shepherd Darby. He seems in galloping
consumption, and were to lose him, 1
would not see his like again for many long
day. He is the most honest, steady, careful
creature in the world, and never told lie
in his life."
nNever told lie in his life Good
Why, my lord, do you really believe such
nonsense Z"
"Decidedly, do. I know your opin-
ion is not very favorable as to the moral
character of our dependents, yet there
are some among them not unworthy of
trust"
They now advanced nearer, and bis lord
ship held up his whip as a signal, and over
bounded Darby.
"Weli, Darby, that shower We had Last
night served the pastures"
"It did my lord, and the COWS will give a
larger yield, and require milking earlier this
evening through means of it."
"Darby, bring over my favorite ram, that
this gentleman may see it"
eyes, my lord. Halo, Sweeper, away
for Ballface."
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. I"
"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"
oExplain this riddle, Darby"
"Why, sir, when feel myself merry
enough without it, where's the use in ia.
king it? That stream can slake my thirst
as we'll Yet I'll not speak for others
many one there are who must have strong
drink to give them false spirits. On them
will I spend it to open their hearts and make
them forget their days toll"
"You are a worthy fellow and pbilos-
opher," said Lord Ample6eld with
look of triumph, as he and the squire
rode off. "What say you to my shepherd
now?"
GA mighty plausible fellow! Yet
proud as you are Of him, my lord, bet
score of sheep that before two days I'll
make him tell you barefaced lie, out and
out"
"Done !" said his lordship.
The wager was laid, and the squire set
out on his lie.making expedition.
He soon ascertained the cause of Darby's
melancholy. There had been quarrel
between him and the girl of his heart, the
lovely Cathleeu. Pride prevented recon.
ciliation, though both would have given
the world to be in each others arms. TO
her the squire bont his steps, succeeded in
drawing out the secret that she loved Oar
by with heart and half, and then art.
fully upbraided her with unkindness in neg
lecting the worthy young fellow" who
was dying for her, coutrived to inveigle her.
by series of falsehoods, into plan to
get reconciled to Darby, and while in the
height of his happiness, to coax the ram
from him. 1t succeeded next day to admi.
ration-and the laughing girl tripped home,
leading the animal with kerchief taken
from her snowy bosom.
Darby was DOW left to solitary reflection.
The hour was rapidly approaching when his
lordship usually took his round, and he
would infallibly miss his favorite ram-what
was to be done a.? To tell lie appeared to
his honest mind the very essence Of degra'
dation-to equivocate was meanness exc
crable-yet an excuse must be had! A
sudden thought seized him-he resolved to
see how lie would look before he told it
so placing his hat upon stake, in order to
personate himself, he retired to little dis.
tauce and, in the character Of his lordship,
hailing the efigy as follows:
"Good morrow, Darby"
"Good morrow, my lord"
"How are the hocks to-day, Darby Z"
"Pretty fair, my lord"
"Darby, I don't see my faVorite rar-
where is be Z"
sob, my lord, he-he-he."
"He waat, Darby"
"He was drowned-my-my lord !"
"Darby, if I did not know your general
character for carefulness, 1 should feel ex.
ceediugly annoyed, but presume it was an