Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1906-09-13

was ND other course left him. On Ia
deposited the sheep with Waller wbo
oonsratuiated him on his success. and
promised to keep them snug and safe
Tor him till he came for them on tho
following night. =
On the following night Dick came
and demanded his sheen.
Sheep!" exclaimed Walter. With
WeI-anected establishment. "what
sneep. Dlcky, my man, do you mean %
What sheep, Watty. do / mean p,
said Dick in real amazement. "The
sheep l left WI We last night, to be
sure"
Sheep ye left wi me, Dicky!" re.
piled Walter. The dell cloot O. sheen
o yours ever / saw. The mans gite."
(Crazy)
Are We in jest or earnest, Wattv >"
inquired Dick, with increased amaze
ment.
Never was mair in earnest in nv
life," said Watty, coolly.
Did you mean to deny that I left
score O sheep VII We last night. and
that We promised to keep them safe
for me till cam for them? Do We
mean to deny that?" said Dick. en-
phatically.
Most stoutly," replied Watty, with
the utmost cOmposure. Il Gamma con-
TESS to what's no true. My conscience
forblds me to do that. haena now.
nor ever had. a tail belonging to We,
Dick"
And We mean to stan by that.
through thick and thin?" said Dick,
with one Of the blankest looks imag-
Unable; for he saw that his sheep were
gone gear.
'That l do," replied the other. saTa.s'
my word for that. The dell a sheep
yese get frae me on ony sic silly pre-
tence as that ye mentioned"
BY this time Dick had recovered a
little: and, moreover, by this time, al.
so. a bright idea had struck him.
"Fera weel, Watty.--vera weel," be
said with a sudden cheerfulness OF
manner that not little surprised Wat.
ty himself, "you and I'll no. quarrel
aboot twa or three sheep. Keep them,
and muckle guild may they do ye!"
And during the short time that the
friends remained together, subsequent.
ly, Dick made no further allusion to
the aheep, but spoke on different mat.
ters, as If nothing had happened,
For some weeks after this matters
went On with the two friends precise.
ly as before. They went on several
expeditions together, and were to all
appearance ON as friendly terms as
ever, neither Of them making the
slightest allusion to the small matter
of the sheep that was between them.
About the end Of this period, however,
Dick again appeared one morning ear
ly at Walters door with another score
of sheep, and besought similar favor
with that he had asked on the former
occasion-namely, that Walter would
quarter them till the following night.
But on this occasion Dick was ac--
companied by two or three assistants
of the same kidney with himself, who
counted over the sheep in Walters
presence, and saw them delivered to
him.
On the following evening Dick call
ed for and at once obtained his sheep,
for there had been witnesses to the de-
livery. and Watty, aware of this, did
not attempt a denial, as he had done
before. as he felt such a proceeding
would endanger his reputation with
the craft.
Having got possession OF his sheep
Dick bade his friend goodnight, and
went rejoicing On his way.
Next night, however. Dick again
called on his friend Watty. and care
fully concealing all expression OF con-
sciousness of having been there on the
preceding evening. demanded his
sheep over again.
"Your sheep, Dick!" said Watty' ID
amazement did We no get them
every tail, last night?'
.tSheep ye delivered to me, Watty?,
said Dick, with imperturbable gravity.
Dell a cloot We gaze me last night.
The mans Cite.
Come, now, ye're jokin'. Dlcky,
exclaimed Walter, with a most ruelui
expression of countenance.
.-Never was mair in. earnest IN my
life." replied Dick.
what! de ye mean to deny that 4
Ried We score O. sheep last night:
<"Most stoutly." answered his per