New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-19
A MONTEREY PASTORAL.

1t was May the most delightful month In the
year. and Father Gaspard. free from the re-
straint Of the mission. begued the way by sing
ing and soliloquizing something after this wise:
Indeed no: feel far safer my own legs
than on the back OF an impish bronco that plants
his four feet all together in small spot and
humps his back like a ncnd ncarnate. Did not
I myself see the Father Superior's face banch
when he mounted him to ride down the coastY
Father Gaspard was strong and IN good health,
barring a threatened obesity and a shortness OK
leg but with the ala OF a stout oaken staf ne
made good progress. light rejection at mid
day and a short sesta refreshed him that ne
almost seemed tc trot. fast did the ups and
downs OF the mountain trail speed under his
feet.
He passed the night with a herdsman VINO
shared with him his simple fare, and In the
morning after giving the man his blessing, pro-
ceeded on his way through the mountain pass to
the edge Of the Salinas River. Tuck,ng his
gown around his waist and carrying his sandals
in his hand he forded the stream I'm shallow
place. mounted the bank and drew long breaths
Of delight at the view before him.
The valley stretched leagues away to the south,
where the mountains seemed to meet the sand
dunes separating It from the sea on the west.
There were no landmarks of any kind. not
tree shrub or rock-ony an unbroken pra.re
Of verdure and flowers. azure sky overhead, ana
a gentle breeze moving the grass.
The good father FASTENED on. Well he knew
that later In the day these great Salinas plains
were the very nozzle of tho bellows through
which the trade winds swept and toward even
Ing terror to travellers from the fog that rolled
In from the sea. cnveioping. drenchlnr and be-
wildering them 90 10 was folly to continue their
Journey. They must stop where they were until
the next morning. when tho welcome trade Winds
once more arose and drove the fog away In ram
taste clouds o,ef The mountains
n was The good priests intention % cross the
plains and reach The ranch of Don Manuel "h
the aahilsn, where he would pass the night sure
Of kindly weieame and good cheer iiul about
noon suffering from heat fatigue and the panss
IT hunger, he bethought himself or shepherd
who tended the sheep Of Don Manuel with
whom he had stopped once or twice when over
taken by the fog and who had the knack OF
frying frijoles most delicousy.
| Yes. there to the right the hut and
short distance away the flock. so the priest
turned from his course and soon reached the
shepherds hut lie sat down on bench by the
door until he recovered his breath. Then putting
his hands to his mouth. called loudly, Pedro
| Oh. Pedro"'
The sheep huddled together In groups
heads to the ground. their woolly backs resisting
the heat of the sun. At his call some lifted their
| heads but the shepherd did not rise from MS
sleep on the ground. as Father Gasparu eA
pected Instead. the black head Of shepherd
dog lifted itself on the further side OF the hook
Then circling around II. he came bounding anu
| leaping toward the priest. On reaching nm ne
| ran around and around, barking. jumping anu
| trying to lick his face.
| Father Gaspard laughed and said: rs II thou
| Domingo? This Is cordial greeting. but where
| tt,o c1tt rd
! the grass?" ,,,.
The dog showed all his teeth and bent himself
| almost double first side then the other III
the violent wags OF his tail. He ran little way
then law down and rested his head on his paws
an instant. then ran UP to the priest again,
emitting sharp quick yeps. lie repeated mn
again and again. but as the priest oh'y laasn .,
the dog took hold of his gown with his teeth
| and backing off tried to pull him along.
"Oh. well. then; come" said the priest IN,
diligently. and followed the dog, VINO tro.seu
! toward a clump Of tall grass. looking back every
| few steps to II Father Gaspard was Close
behind. ~
only n SQUIRRELS? Oh. II is the lazy shepherd.
Awake Pedror' said the priest reaching down 10
shake the PROSTATE FORM but he started back.
| for IT was not that of sleeping man, put
dead :. H.,
How is this?" cried Father Gaspard in dis
tress. Pedro dead. and Of what a.lmentg'
He turned the body over. Thou hast lam mere
many days, my poor Pedro. Already the 1os ana
sun have rptted thy garments and dsfigured thy
face. Thou art Offensive and must be buried.
And who has guarded the fiock?
| He looked at the dog. who wagged his tan.
Thou. Domingo. by myself? Truly. thou ar. are
a noble fellow and shalt have thy reward. Inc
| man must be buried. at least temporarily
| Father Gaspard scanned the VALLEY IN all direc-
tions No one was TO be seen; no Traveller OF
| vaquero that could be called to help
| He went back to the hut and opened the door
It was in good order showing that 'ne snep"e s
had not lain there sick. Looking around. he
found a small spade and took blanket when
| was folded on pile Of dry grass, TO wrap the
body in Then he went BACK TO ane aea aone and
get the body in It, but he went bravely to work,
| and cheered by an occasional WISH from the uos,
by the time the first harbinger OF tne ios.'n ,ns
| form of feecy mist-hoated over the sahu
| dunes. 1t was accomplished 80
| Father Gaspard went back to the hut worn
and weary. indeed. and cooked some iriJoies, ana
! found some meal Of which he made cake and
| baked II in the ashes OF his fire He offered some
| to the dog who only shifted at 1t and would not
eat. The priest seated az tne door Oh .ne nut nus,
| saw Domingo round up the sheep ana head them
| toward the corral There We're many nundreus'
and he drove them carefully and without haste
safely inside, all but one laggaro' man -srow wv.
| lamb which came beating and running 10 JOIN
the others ,.
The dog stood at the entrance OF the enclosure.
but instead OF letting the lamb pass, ne sprane
| at its throat and bore II to the ground. tapping
| eagerly the warm blood that flowed from the
lacerated wound. As soon as II ceased It's strus-
giles he tore the flesh from Its bones ana ate
| raVenOuSly.
Father Gaspard was angry. and shouting 70
the dog tried to drive him from the lamp pu'
Domingo growled. and would not opey.
Having finished his meal, he dragged the BODY
away from the corral and began TO dig mole
When he considered it deep enough he pushed
the lamb In. but dragged II out again ana uue
the hole a little wider In the lamb was tlung
again-out once more and turned around. Then
apparently satisfied. he pushed 1t In and covered
it up. showing the earth over II with MS iSse
Then he went TO the gate OF the corral, selected
a place to rest licked his paws, turned around
and around several times. lay down. ana rolling
himself up. went to sleep.
Father Gaspard watched this wantonness or
the part of the dog with great distress then toe
weary 10 sit 10 longer, he entered the hut. ana
IN the shepherds bed Of grasses slept the sleeI
| OF fatigue and innocence
In the morning he was awakened by the barks
Of the dog and the tramp OF the sheep as they
were driven out to Sraze AFTER eating the re-
mains of the beans and meal cake he sat on the
bench and wondered what was nest 10 DO
| should ne remain there and guard the flock
from the dog and await someone's coming. &c