The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1866-07-18
DARBY AND-THE RAM.

sides of the hedge at once---a lovely mid
summer day--when nature was laughing
till her sides arhed. and mother earth. in
her gayest mood. was lasishing her promise
.s and her smiles 10 her 0tieE ungrateful
children. the lambs were skipping 10 and
fro wi,hin their enclosed pastures. and the
cows. wi.h grave and mairon aspect. were
loIiing in the sun. and terminating their al |
ready gathered rrpast--eserything seemed
happy except the shepherd Darby.
Poor fellow! A !" green aud yellow mel
ancholyv had settled on his manly cheek
his grief he revealed not. bnt let /" cnnceal-
ment, like worm 7 the bud" prey upon
his spirits = he s,alked about the field like
aghost. or lesued upon his crook in silent
despair.
Lord Amplefeld and Squire fackthorn
were riding past to dinner.
FL wonder" said has lsrdship 10 the
squire, /" what can be the mstter with my
shepherd Darby. lie seems in a galloping
consumption, and were To lase him. would
not see his like again tor many long day.
lie is the mssth,nest, steady. careful crea-
ture in the world. and never told lie IN
his life"
/" Never told lie ia his life Cool
Why. my lord. do yoa really believe such
nonsenee o.
!" Decidedly do. L know your opinion
Is not very favorable rs 70 lhe moral cha
rscter af our dependents. yet there are
sumo among them not unworthy Of trust"
They now advanced nearer. and his lord.
ship held up has whip as signal aud over
bounded Darby.
Well, Darby. that shower we had last
night served the pastures"
% IL did. IN, lord, and the cows will give
alsrger meal. and require milking earlier
this evening through means Of it."
DARBY, bring over nv iasorite ram,
that this gentleman may see IL"
YES. my lord. Halo. Sweeper, away
tor Bslli.ce."
Ina lea minutes the dog hunted the ram
up frnm the fnck.
= That'sa clever turn. nv worthy. sail
the squire. there's halt crown to drink"
Thanks 20 your honnr. said Darby.
' but tie worth OF that in strong drink will
serve me year, aud yet Ill spend il on
drink all IN onr night
Explain this riddle. Darby"
"Nhy. sIr. when | feel myself merry
enough without IL. where's the use in TAX
ing ~ ie, I'll not speak Tor others
many a one there are who must have strung
drink TO give them false spirits. On them
sill spcnd u 10 open their hearts and
make then iorget their day's TOLL"
!" You are a wnrthy fellow aud philoso.
pher." sald Lord A smrIeieli with loos 81
triumph. ., he and the sqsre ru'e of
What say you to my shepherd now !"
A mighty plausible fellow indeed
Yet proud as you are u him, my lord.
bet . score ot sheep that before two day,
All make him tell you bare laced lie, oal
and OUT
Done !" said his loId,hip.
The wager was laid, aud the squire SCI
cut on HE I've msking expedition.
Tie soon ascertainrd the cause oi Darby
melancholy. There hsd been a auarrc
between him aud the girl II hrs heart, III,
lovely Csaihleen. Pride prevented a re
Cancellation, though both would have give,
the wsrid 20 be IN each other's arms. T.,
her the squire b,nt his steps. succeeded /.
drawing oa' the secret that she losed ID arb,
~ilh . hear, and half. aud then artist,
ugbraided her with unkindaess ia neglect
''.g the worthy young iellas," sho wa
dying ior her. conlrived TO inssigle her, b,
aseries VI taIseh"o,ls. into q plan 10 ge
freoneilrd TO darby. snd while in lh,
height Of his happiness, 10 coax the ran
hom Aim. Y ssecerdsd next day TO admi
,n'oa--and 'hs lsughIng girl ripped home
'eading the ANIMAL with . kereiiief take,
ton her snowy bosom.
Darby was nnw left n solitary reflec
s.'n. The hour WAS rsp;dly spproachin,
sasa his icrdship Usually tsok hs round