Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-09-05

JACK : IaCc.
IL.
at is no use trying to get the matter
rightcd," said farmer Lynn TO his wife,
speaking in great yeXation. This man
Green's tricky knAve. Ever since the
day his sheep broke into my field AMI got
mixed up with my flock the fellow has
been claiming some twenty or so oi my
best Atwoods and Cotswods, and now he's
going to law TO make me give them up"
"Wcll, if you're right, won't that be
best for you?"
"Not with such man rs that. He's
ready to swear the sheep are his, and
there's the trouble. I'm morally sure |
know my sheep, but when it comes to be-
ing pinned right down TO swear to each
one among so many, | can't do It.
She shook her head.
"No, you couldn't; sheep are too much
alike, and YOU would run the risk Of max
ing mistake. When is the trial to bes"
"NcXt 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
Il messenger inquiring his way with q
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'poSc
Green'll be out hero this afternoon to
swear my shoep are his. The lawyers are
coming, too"
The afternoon came, and with it came
Green, the lawyers, and half the township
beside.
They came, looked over the ground,
saw the two nocks feeding in adjoining
fields, and how, the fence breaking, they
had become mingled. Then little remain
ed 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 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 saying:
"I am looking for another witness"
at won't DO much good, fancy" said
Green, with triumphant laugh.
Mrs. Lynn drove rapidly up in her
spring wagon, and her husband looked
eagerly to sec who was with her.
"Jack! !" lie exclaimed. "But what good
can he do, I'd like to know"
Mr.. Green's laugh took on scornful
tone rs he saw the new witness.
"ITo. no! Mr.. Bright, is that your wit
ness: A heavy weight, must say. Who
do you s'posc is going to take the tesu-
mony of a little scapegracc ragamuilin
like that, hey? And against me-"
81 am not going to ask the boy to testify.
/ am going to let the sheep testify for
themselves. Now, gentleman, 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 lcapcd upon the fence which di-
vided the two fields, and ran little way
along it. For moment there was hus%i-
ness in his throat and Gimness in his
eyes as he turned to the pasture in which
hc had spent the only happy hours his
life had ever known. He gave one look
at his peaceful, white-neeced pets, and
then turning his face the other way, his
voice rang out clear and distinct on the
crisp air:
"Hiho, hiho, hiho, hibo-o-o-o-o-o, my
beauties. Come, Daisy-face, come, Cloud
white, come, my Tripsy-toes, and IIobble-
dehoy, come, Jack and Jill, and Clover
and Buttercup. IIilla, hilla, hilla, hilla,
hO-o-o-o-o-o, my Hop, Skip and Jump,
come with yer patterin' and yer wiggle-
waggle tail, my woody back Come, Snip
and Snap and Snorum and Flax and Film
ders and Foam"
at the sound Of his voice few white
heads were raised among the grazing flock
in Mr.. Lynn's field; then more, and then
a commotioh stirred the quiet creatures.
Bleating, they ran to the fence where
Jack stood, and crowded about him, almost
clambering over each other in their efforts
TO reach him. But little heed was paid TO
them, for all were watching Mr. Green's
sheep. There was stir among them, too,
for nine-tenths Of the flock, alarmed by
the unknown voice cutting so sharply
through the air, had turned and fed, and
were budding in white mass in a dis
tant corner, while about twenty had bleat-
ed their recognition of friend, and hur-
rying up on run and jump, were also
gathering close about him. And Jack
sprang down among them, and with arms
around the neck, and face buried in the
fieecy back Of one OF his special faYorites