Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-12-19
"A Shepherds
Christmas
tcopyTisAs. i00T. ~ Joseph 3. BOWlsl.'
BY Temple Bailey

one must not only dream, but one
must do. The great men were those
who were faithful in the little things.
Remember that tonight we make
merry" he said, finally, but In the
year to come we must work--work
for the souls that are within the
fold; and as the shepherd cares for
his sheep, so must we care for those
who are astray
"As the shepherd cares for his
sheep" The words struck the boy
with the force of blow. He half
rose in his seat, but the girl reached
out a restraining hand.
Stay" she commanded, but the
boy looked at her with unseeing
eyes.
Il go to find my sheep" he said,
and left her
He found them in close gray
bunch against the shed. The wind
howled around them, and the snow
piled over them, and those that were
nearest the door stumbled In stif1y
when the boy unlocked 1t.
Inside was rude fireplace, and
wood was piled beside 1t. The boy
built a great fire, and the flock, re-
treating before the blaze lay down
on the trodden straw with soft sounds
of content. Then the boy brought
In two weak ewes, and laid them
close to the flames, and watched
them anxiously until they revived and
staggered back to their fellows.
For long time after that the boy
sat in front Of the fire and thought
Of the girl. She would go home with
his rival, and they would part at
the door. The boys face flushed
and his hand clenched as he thought
Of the parting. Would She
He rose and went to the door, and
flung it open. Outside the stars were
blotted out, the wind ragged and the
snow Whirled. He felt as II between
him and the girl there was the bar
rier of an unknown world. He had
done his duty, and she had not un-
derstood.
He went in and laid down In front
of the fire, with his great coat drawn
over him.
Let her go, let her go" sang the
roaring fame. Let her go, let her
co." ragged the the wind outside
Then came the soft consolation from
within. "You cared for the sheep,
you cared for the sheep"
And 80 he fell asleep and was com
forted, but his cheeks were wet
In the morning he broke q path
down the mountain. The sun shons
and the sky was blue and tbs
world sparkled after the storm. WheE
he reached a certain clearing he stop
ped and looked over the glistening eS
pause toward the girls house. Sud
denly his eye was caught by fash Of
pink. Through that white, white
world the girl was coming to meet
him.
As she came up, he put out both
hands and took her smaller ones In
his. Il had to CO." he said
The girl felt new dignity in his
manner. She blushed and trembled
then her lips quivered. 4 wen
home with pap" she sobbed, hel
cheek against his coat.
Into his face came all the ten
derness Of awakened manhood; hii
rough fingers laid back a little cur
that blew about her white temple
his voice thrilled,
arm glad you didn't 80 home viii
Jed, be said, simply. Fan that yot
knew iust how I was a-feelln'."
She did not know. would nevsi
know, what that night had meant q
hin, for Il Is not given 10 such WON
en- to touch the depths Of = mani
soul expsriencs; but she knew lore
sns 60 he missed nothing e IN thf
stiffness q TIE perfect ChristmA
norains lhs f.iSol hsr rafianf ~
e hiA