Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1890-08-01

be drop OF dew duriug the night, and
that the grass IN the morning would bC
as dry AS hay. Jack lay down between
us, and seemed, by one or two satisfac-
tory signs that escaped him, to be quite
happy.
was awake for some time, and hap.
pcninS to look toward my new acquaint-
ance, found that he was lying upon his
back with the moon shining full upon
his pale face. | had heard that it was
dangerous in this climate to sleep in the
moonlight. People had been known to
go mad, or to have been struck with par
alysis, for committing this i1discrction.
called to him to move Iuto the shadow,
but he did not heed me; so. thinking he
had dozcd oil, let him alone.
The strangcncss of the sccue, together
with the strong tea, seemed to Danish
sleep from me, and must have been
there nm hour with my eyes closed, but
quite awake, when presently heard
, something stirring, and, opening my
eyes, saw the shepherd sitting up in the
doorway with his head resting in his
hands. After n time he arose and went
out into the night air. He seemed I'M
easy. and began rcstlessly to pace up and
down in front OF the hut. The dog re-
manned still, but 1 felt that he WAS
awake aud Watching his master, rs he
walked nervously backward md forward
in the moonlight. Presently the shcp-
herd stopped in front of the hut, and
came, with II hcsitatine and irrcsoutc
step, towards the door. He entered
slowly, and, STOPPING down upon his
hands and knees, crawlcd stcalthly to the
chair on which my cont WINS handing; he
put his hand in the breast pocket and
drew forth the flask of liquor. And now
he seemed bcw ildercd, rs If some strange
emotion had seized upon him, and then
fell upon his knees rs if in prayer Sud-
denly he seemed to rouse himself, and
instead of drinking the liquor, placed
the flask untouched back in the pocket
OF the coat; then stretching himself on
the iloor, with IN apparent air of com
fort and satisfaction, went off to sleep.
The whole proceeding so haunted me TINT
ii was broad daylight before l closed
my eyes. When awoilc, the sun was
high IN the heavens. 1t must have been
midday. My host had prepared break
iast-somc bread freshly baked, tea, and
salt beef. lie seemed quite calm, and
had lost the nervous, wcaried look that
was noticeable the evening before At
ter our meal he spoke freely of the
nights proceedings to me told him I
had seen all that had taken place. 81
thought perhaps it might be So" said hc
"Thc old craving came upon me again,
SO strong too, but if ever | prayed for
strength it WAS then. Well, ut that mo-
ncnt there was IL hand laid on my head
- calmness came over me that had not
felt for years; and when returned the
flask to your pocket knew then, rs |
know now, that another drop of liquor
Will never pas, my lips; and, ms God is
my Judge, believe it was the angel hand
of my dead wife that rested on my fever
ish hea,l. It's all over now, THINK
heaven, and l can leave this lonely place
and return TO the world again with safe
ty."
/ started to ride for the home station;
the shepherd walked some distance by
the side of my horse, and Mt last we
shook hands and parted. looked back
after n time, and in the distance saw his
tall figure against the sky, waving his old
straw hat to me, while the faithful dog
by his side was looking up into his face
and wagSing that expressive tail.