The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-09-05

"Well, if you're right, won't that be best
for you?'
Not with such man as 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 being 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 a mistake. When is the trial to be?''
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.. Lynns lawyer,
wrote several letters. and one day the en-
tire neighborhood was alarmed by a mes
senger inquiring his way with telegram
for Mrs. Lynn, it being the first thing of
such an exciting nature that had ever hap
pened in the township.
But after that everything went ON very
quietly until the morning of the day set
for the trial.
''Well," said Mr.. Lynn. Il s'pose Green
IL 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 township
besides
They came, looked over the ground, saw
the flocks feeding in adjoining fields, and
how, the fence breaking, they had become
mingled Then little remained but for
Mr.. Green to declare which of his own
sheep Lad remained in Mr.. Lynns flock
But Mr.. Lynn strongly protested against
the wrong being done him, as number of
his choicest animals were pic'lc.l ont and
put over the fence. His lawyer was res
less, and seemed anxious to- delay the pro-
cecdngs, at length saying:
Il am looking for another Witness
sit won't do much good, | fancy" said
Green. with Triumphant laugh.
Mrs. Lynn drove rapidly up i'll her spring
WdnOU, anu lCI uuSDtiitt lOOhCN "
see who was with her.
jack he exclaimed. but what good
can he do, I'd like to know"
Mr.. Green's laugh took on scorniul
tone as he saw the new witness.
''IIo. no! Mr.. Bright, is this your wit
ness? A heavy weight, | must say. Who
do you s'pose is going to take the testi-
mony of little scapegrace like that, hey?
And against met
Il am not agoing to ask the boy to test
ify. lam 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
sheep have only been lately pastured here.
Now, my boy, stand on the fence, and let $
see if the sheep will claim the honor of
your acquaintance.
Jack leaped up on the fence which divid-
ed the two fields, and ran little way
along it. For moment there was a
huskiness in his throat and a dimness in his
eyes as he turned to the pastures in which
he had spent the only happy hours his
life had ever known. He gave one look at
his peaceful, whte-fleeced pets, and then
turning his face the other way, his voice
rang ont clear and distinct on the crisp
air
N hIhn hIhh-n-A-A ~ m n
ties, Come, Daisy-face, come, Cloud
white, come, my Tripsy-toes, and Hippity-
hop, and Hobbledeh>y, come, Jack and
Jill, and Glover and Butterfly. Hilla, hilla,
hilla, ho-o-o-o-o-o, my Hop. Skip, and
Jump, come with yer PATTERN and yer
wiggle-waggle tail, my woolly backs,
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 first sound of his voice a few
white heads were raised among the graz
ing flock in Mr.. Lynn's field; then more,
and then q commotion 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 for
Mr.. Green's sheep. There was a stir
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 fled, and were huddling in a
white mass in a distant corner, while
about twenty had bleated their recogni-
ton of friend, and hurrying up with a
run and a jump We're also gathering about
him. And Jack had sprung down among
them. and with arms around the neck, and
face buried in the fleecy back of one of his
special favorites, was sobbing as if his
heart were breaking.
Mr.. Bright danced about like school
boy, swung his hat, pitched it high in the
air.
''Hurrah! hurrah, hurrah for boys and
sheep. They are the best witnesses | ever
want. Mr.. Lynn's case is the soundest one
ever carried before court"
witnesses" growled Green. care yon
such idiots as to think this will amount to
anything in law?'
1t did amount to something in law, how
ever, as Mr.. Green found out when the
Judges decision was given.