The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-04-23
ellaneut1s.
THE NINETY AND NINE.

|
| guilty as dog could look.
You may well be ashamed of yourself. !
| thought you were to be trusted, but you are
no wiser than Snap, who is year younger
| than you"
SNAP, lying under his masters legs, gave Il
short, sharp bark, which sounded like "hear
| hear" and made poor Rab look more than
ever ashamed of himself
Never mind, old doggie,' said the shep.
herd kindly, for next to his flock he loved his
dogs, well go aud look for it at once"
And then, leaving the sheep comfortably
housed for the night Sandy stepped into the
kitchen and told his wife not to wait supper
for him They were poor simple people,
this Scotch shepherd and his wife, but they
were rich in love towards God and each other,
and the pleasanest part of the day to them
was when the sheep were all safely folded
and they two sat down to their homely sup
per of porridge and milk, to be followed by
reading a chaper of Gods Word together.
SO old Margaret looked round in wonder.
Many and many a time had Margaret been
the true helpmate that every Christian wife
should strive to be.
There's nothing like pleasant thoughts or
words to make the way seem short, and
Sandy had reached the foot of the mountain
before he had left off counting his blessings.
Now, Rab, where is it ?" he said, patting
his dog on the head, as if to make up for his
last scoding.
Rab wagged his tail and gave q noisy bark,
then dashed of i'll search OF The wanderer.
Darkness came on, and still master and
dog were patiently hunting. The lamb was
young and not very promising one, and the
thought just entered Sandy mind whether
it would not be as well to give up the search
In nd
per which awaited him. But it was dismiss
ed at once, and the old man sat down in a
sheltered nook to rest and shared his crust
of bread with Rab.
BY this time night had fairly come-worse
still, an ominous growl in the distance SEEM
ed to give warning of an approaching storm.
1t came, indeed, presently The forked
lightning looked more awfully beautiful than
ever as it fingered some seconds, lighting up
the heavens so that Sandy could see the very
hairs bristling on the dogs back as he covered
at his feet in AFFECT fear. Then came deafen-
ing peal of thunder, then utter darkness, till
the fearful light appeared once more which
made the lantern look like glow-worm.
Poor Sandy's heart was sore as he thought
of his wifes distress and wondered where
was the little wanderer Presently, in the
lull which came after terrific peal of thun-
IL.
What's that, Rab2" he said in a whisper,
God seemed SO near just then that he could
not help being awed.
Rab had evidently heard it too for Sandy
felt him move
mo, lie still for minute the poor little
thing doesn't know you as well as her mother
does, and may bolt off again. Let us wait
till she is nearer"
Another flash, more vivid than ever ano-
ther peal, which made even Sandy cover his
ears and murmur, "The voice of Thy thun
der was in the heavens" Then a faint bleat
sounded quite near, and stretching out his
hand Sandy felt soft, warm face. His heart
gave great leap ofjoy as he caught the
poor frightened lamb in his arms and let it
pestle close into his bosom.
"We've found it, Rab," he cried; "poor
little wanderer, we've found it," 1t was
useless to try to make his way down the
mountain-side now, so all Sandy could do was
to wait patiently till day should dawn. AL
though he was soaked to the skin and felt
terribly hungry, he did not grumble, for had
he not found the object of his search The
lamb and the dog slept through that long
night, but the shepherd communed with his
own heart and was STILL and felt nearer to
God then he had ever felt before.
LET us kneel down first, wife, and thank
God for all his merces," he said, when Mar
garet would have hurried him to breakfast
the next morning. 81 can imagine little
now what the Good Shepherd must feel when
be is seeking for wandering soul, and how
he must rejoice when he fluids it, I'm afraid
he's had to look for me very often, but I'll
keep near to him now, please God and help
to bring the wanderers in too"
Reader, do you admire the old Scotch
chpnh ard who rickpl bic liFa for 40 fookla
little lamb f.? I'm sure you do, and if so what
do you think of the Saviour, who not only
risked but gave up his for you? 1t is a mere
tale to you, very good for children and sick
people, but with no meaning for you? Won't
you let him find you? You have grieved
him by your want OF love, your unbelief,
your wilfulness Oh, will you not return now
10 his loving care before it is too late, and
give him joy instead of grief?