The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-14
nrRnrR, AND snErnERps.

/ When history was young IN Egypt
there we're large areas In the north
eastern delta Of the Nile, which pro
duced rank rich vegetation, but was
too wet for cultivation. Vast herds OF
cattle we're turned into these luxuriant
marshes. Each animal, we learn from
contemporary monuments, was branded
I for its owner as are our own cattle IN
Montana. The men employed to take
care Of these herds we're called "marsh
men" and we're for all the world like
our cowboys" onlyNs little more so.
They we're a rough, wild, cruel and law
less class. There must be something in
tle habits OF these semi-wild cattle
which changes the gentler natures of
their herders into the wild and cruel
habits Of the renowned cowboy.
But with all the earlier peoples Of the
world, those having the care OF the
sheep have been celebrated for their
gentle and poetioal natures. The early
monuments OF Egypt show the sheep
gathering around their gentle shepherds.
The shepherds OF Judea were among the
earliest 70 hear the glad tidings OF his
birth and vi the infant Savior. Vir-
gil's picture Of the Mantuan shepherd,
and Ramsay's description Of the "Gentle
Shepherd" OF the Scottish highlands,
all show a gentle and poetioal class indi-
eating pleasant and inspiring calling.
So while the herders grow wild, rough
and cruel, like the wild steer, shepherds
become gentle and poetioal
But the shepherds of Montana,
though gentle enough, with their dogs
and fiocks have grown sad and dull and
even insane rather than bright and
practical Why this grave change in
the feelings Of those so necessary TO one
Of our great industries
How is it. tho shepherds of other
lands for four thousand years have been
happy, poetical class, but ours alone
are sad and respondent? Our sheep
are the same "a those OF Egypt, the
same as those David tended on the hills
OF Judea, the same as the Tityrus
charmed with his rustic pipe and Ram
sey's "Gentle Shepherd" pleased with
bis songs In the Highlands OF Scotland.
Our sheep gather around our shepherds
as the sheep Of Egypt did around their
keepers in those far of days. Aud be-
sides, our shepherds have their faithful
and affectionate dogs.
One thing, however, was wanting.
"And the Lord God said, II is not good
that man should be alone" All the
animals and birds came around Adam
for their names (the ohimpanzee was
there); but for Adam there was not
found any helpmeet FOR him, and Eve
was made. The shepherd Of Egypt
could find no pastures far away from
his people. David's flocks we're near bis
home; Tityrus had his Amaryllis, and
Bamsay's Gentle Shepherd" his Scotch
lassie. But our shepherds are for tho
most part alone with thor dogs and
sheep. No wonder they are sad and
some lose their wits.
A band u sheep may make its owner
rich, though no 1.-Two in the city and his
shepherds 20 o The dogs on the range,
but his ranch will do little toward max
ing a commonwealth Every sheep
ranch should have its home, where
woman presides and makes life natural
and happy. But shall gentle woman
make q homo FOR tho lawless coSboy?
Yes. Her gentle nature will soon make
d IN initiate the pastorals Of David, and
become au honored member u our
great state. Cowboys n shepherds
must hayo tho influences home.