Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-08-29

'It is no use trying to get the matter
righted, said farmer Lynn to his wife,
speaking in great vexation. "This man
Green's a tricky knave Ever since the
day his sheep broke into my field and
got mixed up with my flock the fellow
has been claiming some twenty or so of
my best Atwoods and Cotswolds, and
now he's going to law to make me give
them up"
"Well, if you're right, won't that be
best for you2"
-''Not with such man as that. He's
ready to swear the sheep are his, and
there's the trouble. I'm morally sure l
know my sheep but when it comes to
being pinned right down to swear to
each one among so many, l can't do it.
She shook her head.
"No, you couldn't; sheep are too much
alike, and you would run the risk of
making mistake. When is the trial to
| be2n
'Next Thursday week"
For the next few days Mrs. Lynn went
about with very sober face. She took
two or three rides to the village, actually
had an interview with Mr.. Lynn's law
yer, wrote several letters, and one day
the entire neighborhood was alarmed by
messenger inquiring his way with
telegram for Mrs Lynn, it being the
first thing of such an exciting nature
that had ever happened in the township.
But after that evening everything went
on very quietly until the morning Of the
day set for the trial.
'Well," said Mr.. Lynn, 81 s'pose
Green1l be out here this afternoon to
swear my sheep are his. The lawyers are
coming too"
The afternoon came, and with it came
Green, the lawyers, and half the town
ship beside.
They came, looked over the ground,
saw the two tlocks feeding in adjoining
fields, and how, the fence breaking, they
had become mingled. Then little re-
mained but for Mr.. Green to declare
which of his own sheep had remained in
Mr.. Lynn's flock.
But Mr.. Lynn strongly protested
against the wrong being done him, as q
number of his choicest animals were
picked out and put over the fence. His
lawyer was restless, and seemed anxious
to delay the proceedings, at length say
ing.
~ am looking for another Witness"
sit won't do much good, l fancy"
said Green, with triunp nphant laugh.
Mrs. Lynn drove rapidly up in her
spring wagon, and her husband looked
eagerly to see who was with her
"Jackn he exclaimed. "But what
good can he do, I'd like to know2n
Mr.. Green's laugh took on a scornful
tone as he saw the new witness.
''Hol hol Mr. Bright, is that your
witness3 A heavy weight, L must say.
Who do you spose is going to take the
testimony of little scape grace raga-
muffin like that, hey2 And against me !"
81 am not going to ask the boy to tes-
tify. am going to let the sheep testify
for themselves. Now, gentlemen, Mrs
Lynn believes that their sheep know the
voice of this boy, and will come at his
call, and it is my purpose to submit their
testimony to the decision of the court.
Mr.. Green's sheep have only been lately
pastured here. Now, my boy, stand on
this fence, and let's see if the sheep will
claim the honor of your acquaintance.
Jack leaped upon the fence which di-
vided the two fields, and ran little way
along it. For moment there was
huskiness in his throat and dimness in
his eyes as lie turned to the pasture in
which he had spent the only happy hours
his life had ever known. He-g gave one
look at his peaceful, white .Aeeced pets,
and then turning his face the other way,
his voice rang out clear and distinct on
the crisp air;
''IIiho, hiho, hiho, hiho-o-o 600, my
beauties Come, Daisy-face, come,
Cloud-white, come, my Tripsy toes, and
Hobbledehoy; come, Jack and Jill, and
Clover and Buttercup. IIilla, hilla hilla,
ho-o-o-o-o-o, my Hop, Skip and Jump,
come with yer patterin' and yer wiggle-
! waggle tail, my woolly baclsl Where
be you, my jolly boys, kickin' up yer
heels in the wind Come, Snip and
Snap and Snorum and Flax and Flinders
and Foam"
AT the sound of his voice few white
heads were raised among the grazing
flock in Mr.. Lynns field; then more, and
then a commotion stirred the quiet crea-
lures. Bleating, they ran to the fence
where Jack stood, and crowded about
him, almost clambering ouer each other
in their efforts TO reach him. But little
heed was paid to them, for all were watch.
ing Mr.. Green's sheep. There was stil
among them, too, for nine tenths of the
flock, alarmed by the unknown voice cut
, ting so sharply through the still air, had
turned and fed, and were huddling in {
white mass in a distant corner, while
about twenty had bleated their recogni
tion Of a friend, and hurying up with 6
run and jump, were also gathering close
, about him. And Jack sprang down
among them, and with arms around the