Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1884-09-18
Mr.. Green's laugh took on a scornful tone

Mr.. Green's laugh took on a scornful ton,
as he saw the new witness.
"Ho no Mr.. Bright. is this your wit
ness? A heavy weight. must say. Whc
do you s'pose is going to take the testimon,
OF little scapegrace ragamuffin like that
hey? And against me"
81 am not going to ask the boy to testify
am going to let the sheep testify for them
selves. Now, gentlemen, Mrs. Lynn be-
lleres that their sheep know the voice Of
TINS 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 ac-
quaintance.'
Jack leaped upon the fence which divided
the two fields, and ran little way along it.
FOR moment there was a huskiness in his
throat and dimness in his eyes as he turned
10 the pasture in which be had spent the
only happy hours his life had ever known
lie gave one look at his peaceful. white
heeced pets, and then turning his face the
other way, his voice rang out clear and dis
tInct on the crisp air
"lliho, hiho, hiho, hiho 90 o-o-o-o, nv
beauties Come. Daisy-face, come, Cloud
white, come, my Tripsy-toes, and Hippetv
hop, and 1lobbledehoy. come, Jack and Jill,
and Clover and Buttercup. Hiha, h!la.
hiIIa. ho-o-o-o-o-o, my Hop, Skip, and
Jump, come with yer patterin' and yer wig
gle-wagslc tails my woolly backs Where
be YOU, my jolly boys, kickin' up Yer heels
in the wind9 Come, Snip and Snap, and
Snorum and Flax. and Flinders and Foam"
~ the first sound Of his voice few white
heads were raised among the grazing flock
in Mr.. Lynn's field then more. and then a
eommotion stirred the quiet creatures.
Bieatlng. they ian to the fence where Jack
stood, and crowded about him. almost clam
berng over each other in their efforts to
reach him. But little heed was paid to them,
for all were watching Mr.. Green's sheen.
lhere was stir among them too, for nine
tenths OF the flock, alarmed by the unknown
voice cutting so sharply through the still
air, had turned and fed, and were huddIed
in white mass in distant corner. while
about twenty had bleated their recognition
OF friend, and hurrying up with run and
a Jump, were also gathering close about
HIM. And Jack had sprung down among
Them, and with arms around the neck, and
face buried in the fleecv back of one of his
special tavorltes, was sobbing as if his heart
was breaking.
Mr.. Bright danced about like school
boy, swung his hat, and pitched it high in
the air.
'Hurrah hurrah hurrah for bows and
sheep They are the best witnesses ever
want. Mr.. Lynn's case is the soundest one
ever carried before a court"
Witnesses, :" growIed Green Are YOU
SUCH IDIOTS as 70 think this vii! amount to
inything in law r"
/: d!d amount 10 something in law, how
yer as Mr.. Green found out when the
Iudge decision was given.
y soon as the men had gone, Mrs Lynn
'ent over Jack, whose head was still bowed
Jack, my boy, don't cry so. Don't YOU
now You have friends all around YOU ~
"les. Look at EN-" He looked about
With smile
Yes, the sheep, and plenty more, if
QUILL have them. Oh, Jack. w4i - ile !
riends: Lhs Jha' Tim just as the sheep
me at the sound Of YOUR voice, because {
,ey love YOU and you love them. do you |
ant to stay here and take care OF them
STAY here. with YOU and the Sheep
ack's ewes. heaming with JOY and gratitude,
-ankly met hers.
# think we've found the soft lace at
asst" said Mrs. Lynn to herself as She went
.ome, leaving him on the sunny hillside