The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-08-29
JACK.

81 don't know about sending such a
hardened little chap as he Is"
"That is the kind that need to 60"
''But what if nobody'll take himr
"Then I'll bring him back"
So said the superintendent of one of
the earliest companies of children sent
out by the fresh-air fund and so it came
that Jack joined the eager little crowd
drawn from alley and Stun of the great
city.
ole is tough one." said the super
intendent to himself, watching Jack as
he half carelessly, half wilfully tripped
up one or two smaller boys in the rush
which came when they were leaving the
steamboat in order to take the cars.
''He don't look like the right Sort"
said one or two farmers.
If they were the right sort they
wouldn't need our help, said pleasant
faced woman who sat in spring wagon.
''Put him in here, please. Come my
boy, will you go home with mel"
Jack climbed into the wagon, but
made little answer to the kindly attempts
to draw him into conversation. His
eyes were never raised toward her as he
rode along in logged silence, and Mrs
Lynn began to conclude that she had
taken hold of very hard case indeed.
But it was quickly seen that there
were some things which Jack loved. Be-
fore night he had made friends with
horses, COWS, chickens, ducks, geese and
cats, and lying under tree in rapt ad-
miration of pert jay which chartered
above him, and almost succeeded in
coaxing it to light on his finger
"Come with me, and III show you
something more" said Mrs Lynn, the
next morning after breakfast. She put
a pail of salt into his hand, and they
walked up a little glen, then up steep
hill, when she called:
"Nan, nan, nan, nan, nan, nan-come
nan, come, nan; come, my pretties;
come, my pretties."
A quiet little pattering was heard and
down along the path which led higher
up Jack saw coming line of soft look
ing white things.
"Whats their namesl" he cried, in
great interest.
"Sheep. There are great many more
up over the top of the hill, but they
don't know me very well, so they don't
come We must go further.
Higher up they went to where a sunny
pasture sloped more gently down the
other side, and there were hundreds of
the pretty creatures nipping the short
grass or lying under the trees. They
looked at the strangers with shy, gentle
eyes, but gathered near as Mrs. Lynn
repeated her call.
Jack laughed and whooped and rolled
on the ground in the excess of his de-
light at first frightening them away.
But he was soon in among them winning
them by his coaxing tones to taste the
salt he held out to them. The boys face
seemed transformed as Mrs. Lynn got her
first full glance at his eyes, and wondered
at them. They were large and clear and
soft as he laid his hands lovingly on the
heads of some half-grown lambs, and
presently tenderly lifted one which
seemed little lame.
"You may take that one to the house, il
you like" said Mrs. Lynn, land l will
bind up its poor foot"
lie did 50. and when he carried it back
to the flock he remained all day. only
going to the house when called to dinner
by the sound of the conch.shell Anc
every day afterward the most of his tim,
was spent on the breezy hill side, per
haps taking in the beauties of valley anC
stream and woodland which lay below
but finding his fill of enjoyment in thu
sheep. He was little seen at the house
seeming not to care for any human soci
ETY., but he took long walks at his will
from which he once brought home a biro
with broken wing, and again stra,
starved kitten, both of which he CAREFUL
tended.
clear him! p said Mrs. Lynn, one day
when she had gone out into the meadow
where her husband was at work. 81 be
lieve he knows every sheep there"
Jacks voice came ringing down tn
bill.