Cañon City record., 1907-12-12
A Shepherds
Christmas
(Copyright. lg0. By Joseph B. BowIes,>
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 a blow: He half
rose in his seat. but the girl reached
out restraining hand.
stay" she commanded. but the
boy looked at her with unseeing
eyes.
T go to find my sheep" he said.
and left her
He found them In q 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 stifly
when the boy unlocked it.
Inside was a rude fireplace, and
wood was piled beside it. 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 a 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 1t 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 CO." sang the
roaring flame. 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 20 he fell asleep and was eom-
forted, but his cheeks we're wet
In the morning he broke . path
down the mountain. The sun shone
and the sky was blue and ths
world sparkled after the storm. When
he reached . certain clearing he stop
ped and looked over the glistening ex.
pause toward the girls house. Sud.
dG8ly his eye was caught by . nash OF
pink. Through that white, white
world the girl was coming to meet
him!
A. she came up. he put out both
hands and took her smaller ones in
hi0. Il had to Co." he said.
The girl felt q new dignity in his
manner. She blushed and trembled,
then her lips Quivered. II went
home with pap" she sobbed, her
cheek against his coat.
Into his face came all the ten.
dernsss Of awakened manhood; his
rough fingers laid back . little curl
that blew about hsr white temple.
his voice thrilled.
I'm glad you didn't 90 home vith
Jed" he said. simply. "an' that you
knew Just how was arfeelin'."
Dho did not know. would nsver
know, what that night had meant to
him. for 1t II not Given to such wou-
On to touch the depths Of Q mans
soul experience; but she knew love,
and % he missed nothing. a. II the
stiffness Of the perfect Christmao
morning she rai.ed her radiant fece
to his.