Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-03-08
The Traveller and thc Shepherd Boy

\ rich traveller ia an Eastern country va
one day passing through a lovely plain wat
cred by crystal streams and uxuriant witt
howory herbage lie had left the city behind
and though care was on his brow, and hi
thoughts returned to his gold, he could no
but look round him with peasurable feel
ing such as seldom visited his sordid heart.
Suddenly he came upon o shepherd boy, VINO
carelessly reclined upon the velvet sward Ii.
crook was lying beside him, and his sheep
tired Of grazing, lay sleeping at his feet
The traveller curbed his prancing steed and
thus addressed him
Methnks thou leadest a useless life, friend.
in this quiet valley, with naught TO care for
but these lazy sheep, and scarcely would the,
90 astray with this sweet grass to crop alu
yon clear stream to give them drink"
Providence has placed me here replied
the youth modestly "and | strive to do m
duty, though may be, it is humble one"
Listen to me- returned the traveller
" thou art a comoly youth, and might make
thy fortune in a city life. Has thou no ann
bition ?"
None, replied the boy, sit belongs not
to our lowly race My father tended sheep
before me- and in a good old age he resigned
his crook to me, and lay down thankfully and
died. Peacefully and innocently my days
pass along no cares disturb me | eat my
bread in quiciuess, and at night sleep III
safety"
And thou art contented
"Allah is great, returned the youth, "why
should seek for more than he has given me
know no want and my heart is full o
happiness.'
I" Foolish youth" replied the stranger
scornfully, " If thou wouldst rise from thy
icnoble station, follow me, and wil
place thee where thou mayest gather wealth
untold-enough to Gil thy poor cabin wher,
thou art contented to doze thy life away
even as thy father did before thee"
The youth looked at the rich stranger with
surprise, but no pleasure manted his check.
have much wealth, resumed the trav
eer, after a moments pause, and the car
of it fills me with perplexity. All around m
are selfish and avaricious, | dare not trus
them. l seek some one.in whom | can cor
fide, and thy countenance is honest an
pleases me. If thou wilt live with me and b
faithful thou shalt be richly rewarded
have no heir, aud when Allah calls me ava
thy services shall not be forgotten"
The youths countenance assumed thought
ful expression
81 must leave you now, continued tn
stranger, "M My gold will tempt the cupidit.
of my servants, and in my absence they vii
rob me. Think of what have said; to-mor
row | will return for thee
" And what service am | to render thee
asked the boy, for | am ignorant Of TIA
ways Of men, and know little of the value @
wealth"
Il have those about me whom | can no
trust, he replied. Suspicion dwells unde
my roof, and all look on my gold with env,
l would test thy honesty, and make the
keeper of my treasures"
Allah forbid, returned the youth m
lowly roof covers no gold, but it shelters lo'
ing hearts; we rest in safety, fearing no ra
pacious punderer, for we have naught
tempt his avarice Better is my poverty, wit
security and content, than thy wealth, sui
rounded By anxiety aud snares."
The stranger vainly sought to change hi
resolution He had conceived liking for I'll
youth, and being himself the slave of susp
! eion, and enyied for his boarded wealt
which benefited no living soul, he long,
9 earnestly for a faithful heart to share his am
iety and relieve him of the weight of care.
a The shepherd boy saw the rich stranger d
e part without regret or a single wish to folio
him. At night he gathered his sheep in
c the fold and lay down to sleep in happy S
g curity, thankful that he had resisted 1
}. temptation to quit the home and occupati
u of his childhood.
The rich man lay down in his sumptuo
O bed, which ayarice had planted with thorr
;. and at midnight his servants rose and robb
d him Of all his treasure, leaving him boul
r aud destitute, and obliged to seek from othe
r, that aid which in his prosperity he had nev
bestowed on single child of want.
sought the cell of Dervish, and ended
days in poverty and vain regret
The shepherd boy, when he heard the ia
b of the naughty traveller, blessed Allah that
v had given him coRtentment and no superf
N Gus wealth, and after tranquil life his da
l. closed as they first began, in the enjoyment
,r a shepherds peaceful lile.-Golden Hours.