The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-08-25
Dunkerry Beacon

I, ty to do. 1 fancy. for / like not the look OF
Cloutsham Ball."
Nor l." said his wife: land the wind
sounds as II it were g~rieving over the wild
work it has to do. Take your places" she
said. turning to five sturdy men who en-
tered from the back and took their seats on
the bench ASK q blessing. master, ana
serve the meat"
| The farmer did so. and nothing was heard
for some minutes but the clatter OF knives
and forks. A huge apple pie followed tina
boiled beef. and then the farmer. for the
first time. missed one Of the faces from his
table.
where IL Evan Davy?" he asked. 81
thought he had gone up to Dunkerry about
the sheep"
He brought them home. master, an hour
! since. and be gone to fetch the rest below
Homer. He gays 1t be goin' to snow. and
Evan baint often mistook. ! axed about
dinner. but he said there was no time to
lose. and the missus would care for he
That / will. and keep 1t hot for him.
too" cried Mrs. Blake, cutting vigorously
at the beef. There Is not a better nor
moro faithful shepherd in the county than
Evan. He minds me of the Good Shepherd
who ne'er forgets his sheep. wander they
ever so far. See, here comes the snow,' as
the fakes began to fall fast.
Quick. men: no lettering. Get in the cat
tie from the grounds. and cut plenty of hay
and chan. We shall have ompany on the
morrow. Leave the open sheds empty, ana
put roots and fodder there. Ben, we must
be smart"
The men pushed back the bench. and, pull
ing their foreiock to the mistress, left the
Kitchen; and the women "rfdded up ito
use Molly's expression till all was as neat
as a new pin." and the mistress. in after
noon attire. was seated at her work.
Snow fell, and fell. and fell. TIL there was
nothing visible but a leaden sky and a spot
less earth
Laying aside her work. Mrs. Blake pro-
ceeded to feed her poultry. and then called
her maid and two Of the men to milk. The
cows. sixteen in number. were In their
sheds. and the shining milk pals were soon
frothing over with the milky stream.
IF this goes on long, missus, we shall be
showed up afore the morn. It's a wonder
Evan and the sheep be not come home;
twill be bad walking soon.' said Ben Car
ter. who had been head man in the YARD
some years. IF he does not come afore
dark two Of us will so to the Close and see
for he"
Mrs. Blake nodded her approval. and. hav-
ing finished her share Of the work. re-
turned to the kitchen.
Dusk was gathering. though Il was not
quite 5 o'clock. and a ruddy blaze filled the
place with light and color: dancing merriiy
on shining tins and playing h~ide-and-seek
behind the lofty cushioned settle. and In the
shadowy corners.
With a thoughtful look ON her face. she
prepared the tea. and TO her satisfaction
heard. by loud barkinss In the yard. that
Evan and his sheep had returned. whilst
the bleating Of lambs and the masters
CHEEKY voice added to the uproar.
Come In. Evan. You must want your
dinner. / NOV. Well. there 10 not . better
shepherd than you In Somerset. Wash your
face and hands, man: twill freshen you up.
There win be nc more outdoor work to-
night"
Evan enjoyed his meal. a. only a hungry
man can. and then went OF to attend to his
sheep. having evidently forgotten his en-
counter with Oliver Grey In the morning.
But just as the men were leaving for their
homes he said:
Has a fine young fellow been about here
to-day. missus? 1 met one on the top or
Dunkerry early this morning, and told he
what sort of weather 1t was going to be,
but he only laughed and said he was on his
way to Loccombe to stay with a friend. 1