Sacramento daily record-union., 1883-10-27
The Midget sheep.

The Midget sheep
Sheep have been friends of man for so
many ages that all trace of their wild an.
cestors is lost, and we can only guess at
their origin. There has been a wonderful
change in this creatures nature during the
long ages since it was first tanned. The
domestic sheep is one of the most timid
and delicate of animals, while the wild
sheep is second to no animal in courage
and hardness. One of the peculiarities of
the sheep is the manner in which 1t adapts
itself to its surroundings, and no doubt it
is this ability to suit itself to the circum-
stances of its dwelling-plaoe that has given
US so many varieties of domestic sheep.
There is the large merino sheep, so famous
for fine wool, and the small Welsh sheep,
Just as famous for its delicate flavor when
cooked. There is the sheep of middle Asia,
used for carrying burdens, and even for
riding upon and the sheep of southern and
eastern Asia, with its enormous tail,
that must be provided with a little
cart to keep it from dragging
IN the dirt-s veritable Bo-peep sheep
that carries It's tail behind it. There is the
Persian sheep, with its black head and
white body, and the Shetland sheep, 90
good for the wool which ladies like for
crochet-work and then there are a great
many more sheep that are good for nothing
particularly very good to eat, and
very poor wool producers.
Last of all, because it is the very small
est, Is the tiny Breton sheep. 1t is too
small to be very profitable to raise for, of
course, it can not have much wool, and aa
Il
most eat a whole one at meal. 1t is so
small when full-grown that it can hide be-
hind 8 goed-sized bucket. Its takes its
name from the particular part of France
where 1t is most raised.
But if not a profitable sheep, it is dear
little creature for pet, for it is gentle and
loving, and, because it is so small, is not
such a nuisance about the house as was
the celebrated lamb which belonged to
little girl named Mary. 1t would
need to be very large little
girl-a giant girl indeed-who could
take an ordinary sheep in her lap
and cuddle it there; but any little girl
could find room in her lap for Breton
sheep quite as easily as for one of those
very ugly little dogs called by the ugly
name OF pug. One of this little creatures
peculisrities is its extreme sympathy with
the feelings OF its human friends, when It
has been brought up as a pet in the
house, and has learned to distinguish be.
tween happiness and unhappiness. II
any person whom it likes a great deal is
very much pleased about anything, and
shows it by laughing, the little sheep
will frisk about with every sign of Joy :;
but if, on the contrary, the person sheds
tears, the sympathetic friend will evince
its sorrow in an equally unmistakable
way, A kind word and loving caress
will also fill it with happiness, while a
cross word or harsh gesture will cause it
such evident distress that only a cruel
person could be otherwise than gentle
with such pet.
This strange delicacy of feeling once
led to very happy result, and helped
little girl named Jessie out OF difficulty
which was at the same time dangerous
and ludicrous.
Away off in one corner of the large
garden Jessie had what she called her
house. James, the gardener, had nailed
some boards to the fence to make a
roof, and there Jessie used to go on sum-
mer afternoons with her dolls and her
favorite pet, the little Midget sheep.
One afternoon Jessie was tired of stay
ing in her house, and concluded to try
the roof By putting her chair on the
starch-box that served for Ethel Ara
minta's bed, Jessie contrived to mount
upon the roof.
Once there, she lay down upon the roof,
and, after deal of reaching, caught the
back of chair snd pulled it up. Then she
placed it against the fence, stood upon it,
and looked over. There was nothing spe-
oially interesting there to look at, and
Jessie concluded to do something else.
The first thing that suggested itself was to
sit upon the fence. 1t was not easy to do,
but she finally accomplished it, and when
she had recovered her breath, she found
her perch very pleasant. until by.and.by
she heard dog bark. Looking over the
fence, she exclaimed:
Ion it's that dreadful big bulldog that
belongs to Mr.. Wainright. And here he
comes. l guess I'll get down. No I
won't, either. He can't catch me it's too
high for him. Boo I'm not afraid of
you.
The bulldog by this time was right under
Jessie, barking furiously, for he looked
upon her as an intruder. She was too
high for him to reach her, but he was
faithful dog and determined to do the best
he could. Ee jumped hard. He could
not reach her, but her frock hung
over the fence, and into that he fastened
ms teeth Just as JESSIE in fright, slipped
from her seat TO reach the roof.
She did not reach it, however, for, un.
fortunately, her frock was new and strong.
and would not tear; so she hungson one
side OF the fence, and the dog on the other.
She screamed and wept, but it was too far
from the house for her voice to be heard.
and she might have hung there until her
frock tore tfor the dog would not loose his
holdl, if little Midget had not come to the
rescue.
She did not know what was the matter.
probably; but she did know that Jessie
was in great trouble, and the dear little
creature was almost frantic with sympathy.
She trembled all over, then ran madly
about, then stopped and shook again.
Finally, she ran like crazy sheep toward
the house, and in fact acted so strangely
that Ann saw her from the kitchen win.
dow, and, thinking her mad, called Jes-
sizes mother. She knew in moment that
something was wrong with her little GIRL
and, fortunately, particularly loud scream
from Jessie just then caught her ear. She