The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-04-14

II "a ILL., WutTOk LnN
wind would keep the ground compur-
a l1sry free from snow, and where
there was also some shelter to be OBJ
famed from a hemel and roughly
constructed fold-yard, fenced round
with stone walls, there would be little
left to dread; and they could be look
ed after and fed, until the severity of
the storm was past.
But it required considerable determi-
nation to make the creatures move at
all, and still more to do SO in the
teeth of the cutting wind. The cold
mad benumbed them and rendered them
almost torpid =" 3.
Rover's approach, however, reused
them to faint display of animation;
ana ne began proceedings at once by
running around and biting, or pre-
tending to bite, the laggards, barking
all the While as loudly as his strength
would allow ~
After minute or two they began to
move in the direction Indicated to the
dog by his master; and very slowly but
surely they were gradually led away
from their dangerous situation into
safety. 1t took a long time for them
to reach the other side of the hill, and
TO hnd the part fenced in by the rough
~ built and mortarless stone walls
and the hurdles stuffed with ragged
furze; but the difficult. task was &C.
complished at length, and every sheep
and yearling lamb was folded safe.
Martin the shepherd gave a great
sigh OF relief as the last bleating
traveller passed through the gap, and
he placed hurdle across it to prevent
their egress; but he acknowledged to
himself that a few minutes longer and
they would inevitably have mastered
him.
He was faint from lack of food,
Since the noon of the previous day not
morsel had passed his lips, for he
had loathed the sight Of victuals after
his debauch, and had left home in such
haste that morning that he had no
time to break his fast, even though
Nelly insisted upon getting up and
lighting the fire and boiling the kettle.
He had swallowed a drink of tea. but
nothing more. Now he bitterly re-
GREETED his, own folly, as the strain
told upon his exhausted vitality.
1t was over now, however, and the
sheep were safe. There was a store of
hay stacked in the Enclosure ready for
such emergencies as the present one,
and Martin proceeded to the lighter
labor of feeding his flock.
By the time this was accomplished
tho 1itt1o irh !,
day had utterly failed, and thick,
murky darkness reigned everywhere,
although it was only about two o'clock.
When Martin and his dog set out on
their homeward journey the former
had almost to grope his way out of the
Enclosure, and only the instinct Of
Rover kept him on the right path. The
snow was coming down softly but pitt
lessly, wrapping everything in a white
and rapidly thickening sheet and fast
obliterating every familiar landmark.
On an ordinary occasion the old
shepherd could have found his way
home blindfolded, so we'll acquainted
was he with every foot of the road.
But his strength had entirely deserted
him; and every step he now took was
with great and increasing effort. The
cold appeared to grip his heart as with
{ hand of iron and to arrest his labor
ing breathings
At last he stumbled and fell at the
foot of the boWlder. He could go no
further. Nature had completely given
out
Then all at once he remembered that
If this drowsy slumber which was COM
ing on did creep over his senses he
was certainly done for. All, yes! But
| he had that in his breast pocket that
would give him new life.
Yes, it was there all right. He had
not forgotten it. His heavy eyes light
ed up with momentary CLEAN of
pleasure as he drew out fiat bottle,
containing, perhaps, half gill of raw
whisky. ...a...
Nobody could blame him for taking
it now. He would do it to save his life
only for that. Without some fresh
access of strength and energy he would
not be able to move hand or limb.
The lethargic condition was gaining
| upon him, and resistance was scarce
possible, unless the fiery spirit should
stimulate his vitality. Come, there
was some good in the stuff yet, if it
saved mans life! j. ....
Accordingly he drew out the cork
of the bottle with his teeth, and the
strong odor rose gratefully to his nos
trils. He had right to it this time.
Suddenly voice appeared to come
out of the darkness and the storm-a
voice that made him pause in the very
act of drinking: -z, s., i II t,.
What good is his life? It doesn't
benefit one living creature-not even
himself!" .=.zv
He trembled, with more than cold,
and his hand fell from his mouth.
Who said that? God or the devil?
! Whoever said it, it was true-fatally,
1 miserably true! A great horror of
/ himself and a loathing of the life he
was about to try to preserve, an in
! finite pity and tenderness for. the girl