The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1890-08-01
THE SHEPHERD.

tury, l had galiOped about twenty miles
from the home station; dismountine
from the horse, sat down to rest and
take lunch. A large flock of cocka-
toos, those beautiful white parrots with
yellow orests, came circling around and
lit in the trees overhead. l was watch
ing the curious maneuvers OF these birds
as they were chattering and hopping
about among the limbs, when they
stopped suddenly as if alarmed. Some
thing was evidently approaching of
which they were in dread. They set up
an awful scream, and with tremendous
fiutter spread their white wings and
sailed away. just at this moment large
black collie dog came bounding out Of
the bushes and suddenly stopped
in front Of me. For moment
was startled. The dog paused
and eyed me keenly, then coming
slowly up walked round me, and at last
approached and licked my hand, which l
had held out to him. In moment
more he bounded away, leaving me as
tonished at his strange conduct. 1 had
never seen a dog act IN SO singular a
manner, and was wondering what it
could mean, when a sharp, joyful bark
warned me that be was returning; and
sure enough, he had come back wagging
his tail and followed by a tall, gaunt
figure Of a man thinly clad, barefooted,
and with wide-brimmed, frayed straw
hat on his head He was about fifty years
of age, and as he removed his hat and
made me awell-mannerel, digniied bow,
I could see that, though he was undoubt-
eddy a shepherd, he had once been gen
t!eman who had seen better days. As he
stood bareheaded before me the wind.
blew his long, thin, sandy hair about his
brow, and be regarded me with strange,
far of look in his eyes, IS if had been
miles away met several shepherds af-
ter this, and noticed that same strained
expression. They live so much alone,
somstimes being three and four months
without seeing human being, that they
form this habit by locking over the
plains, hoping that they may catch sight
Of some one TO relieve the awful monot-
.ony OF their lonely lives. aThank. Godl
God bless you, sir. 1 hope you are
quite well, he said. There was not
much expression in the mans face. al
most faneied that he-looked like sheep,
but there was enough to prove that ne I
was glad 10 see me; and would have
been to see any one else, for the matter
of that. asit down, my friend, and
have some lunch with me, said I.
ssThank you, 1 will" said he ssWell, |
Jack, you are right, quite right; you al
ways are, old boy This was said to
the dog, who never once took his eye of !
his master. but stood in front of him,
wagging his affectionate tail, that ex-
pressed as much love for the poor, tat
tered, wasted shepherd as it could have
done had be been an emperor in purple /
robes. ayes, always right and true, Ell,
old boyl" The dog answered by licking
the shepherds hand and rubbing his
head against his masters legs.
81 knew you were here" said he. /
sfYou knew was herel How could you
tell thatl What do you meanir sob,
when I say that mean that l knew it
was a friend, or at least not an enemy;
and Jack knew, if / didn't. About an
hour ago, the dog began to get uneasy.
Be ran about shifting the air aud giving
little short barlr; then all OF sudden
he broke away and left me. 1 thought I
be was on the lookout for something
strange, so I Just sat down among the /
sheep and RATED for him. Presently he
came back quite pleaiied at what
be had discovered; then he gave some
more Of those little short barLIs
md ran of toward you and /
back again; then wagged his tail impa-
tiently. He could not have spoken
palmer if he had been a Christian. The /
loving beast knows the lonely life lead,
and how yearn sometimes for a human
face to look at. That's why he went on
bless him. tn be a shame for
Us to live in the other world If Jack don't I
20 there. Look at him now; can't you /
zee in his face that he knows that have
been talking about himi-and every word 1
I've said, for the matter Of that, l be-
Iieve." And, sure enough, the look IL
the dogs face was almost human.
The man now sat down quietly beside
ne, and ate sparingIy and rather me
Of the lunch, always sharing
bis morsel with Jack. took upa flask /
Of whisky, and, pouring out some of it
INTO cup, offered my guest \ drink
His eyes beamed with a longing look as /
be saw the liquor, and, turning on me a
strange. frightened look, said: mo, /
Done Of that for me. Put it away, please;
I don't like the sight Of it."
It now dawned upon me that my friend I
kas retired drunkard, who had come /
tosthis lonely part Of the world to /
d temptation. had heard that there I
>Rany such in Australia and that
: herd,s life wss chosen as being
isolated one that could be
u rose 70 take my departure,
q put his hand gently on my arm,
Nth an appealing look ssid, "You
kon't 20 home tonight, will youl It's
90 late. wish you'd stay in my hut to-
light, its so long siree I've seen hu-
nan face-over three months now. A
nan only comes once in a great while to
BRING provisions, and thass all we see
# humanity from one Tear's end to
mother. Do stay tonight, won't your
I'D ike to oblige you, " replied, ''but
.heyn be uneasy about me at the home
station I must be twenty miles from
here now, and it viii be long after dark
before 1 get back, even at smart gal
op." .sBut are you sure you know the
Kayl You might get iosf,' said he.
soh, No, I've only to keep on the banks
IF the Murray, and I'm all right.
The poor fellow hung his head, look
ng the picture of despair. ''Well,
aid /, s'I'ii stay" He frightened up at (
his. Chow far is your hut from herel"
asked. mot a mile, ! assure ycu."
80 he started OF at a good pace, fearing
I might change my mind, I suppose. The
dog bounded ahead, barking away, and
/ followed on horseback. We soon came
upon his charge large flock Of sheep
As they heard the dogs bark the stupid
pricked up their ears and looked 4
surprised, just as if they had never heard
it before; then they took to their heels