Gilpin observer., 1907-11-14
The GIFT
BY BARRY PAIN

.AAe@hAh6 "a iONo was COuuuCIou WlLH
that due regard to the formalities and
to commercial considerations that we
now find so charming and civilized.
1t was springtime, and the world was
young. and the sun was shining.
BY the footpath on the hillside sat
young shepherd. Beside him were
two young lambs wherewith he had
Just started In the business or pro.
fession of being shepherd. The
lambs had nothing to do but eat, and
they were doing 1t vigorously. For
the time the shepherd had nothing to
do but think; and as 1t was spring.
time and he and the world were both
young. you know as we'll as do what
he was thinking about
There came a maiden that way,
(These shepherds have all the luck.)
Her hair was golden and somewhat
brief but curly. She sat down and be-
gan to play with one of the lambs
The shepherd joined in the game.
After he had caught her round the
waist and kissed her twice on the
ear, because that was all she allowed
him to get at, she said she must be
going on.
The shepherd caught up the lamb
she had been playing with and put
it in her arms
WHAT she said, 'is that for me?"
Yes" he said, "if you will have
It."
"All of it?"
He nodded, laughing. She held up
the lamb and kissed it. looking out at
him with bright eyes as she did so.
He took step nearer, and she ran
on, calling back her thanks.
So there was half the flock gone.
The shepherd sat down and went on
thinking much what he had been
thinking before
Presently another maiden came that
way. (Really. these shepherds are
too astonishing) This maiden had
red hair that would have made a
painter mad for pure Joy, and she
had tied 1t up with blue ribbon;
and that blue and that red went to.
gether much better than you suppose
SO the shepherd began to talk to her.
without previous introduction surety,
security or preliminary fees. She
did not mind 1t in the least, because,
as have already explained, this was
In the bad old days, which, I am
thankful to say. now are gone forever.
She had gray eyes, and looked far.
far more poetical than she ever was.
She sat still and listened to the BOYS
praise OF her. which made a pleasant
music that spring morning in her
ears. Her wide sleeve fell back and
showed how beautiful her white arm
was.
Il should like to kiss that" said
the boy. rehectively.
She neither moved nor answered.
So he did as he liked. And then she
sprang to her feet, for she remember.
ed that she had to go to a neighbor.
Ing farmhouse to buy three pounds
OF bacon exactly like the last. II II
a sin and shame that girls made for
poetry should have to do, these things.
But 1t occasionally happens.
DO take that lamb with you" said
the shepherd.
You don't really mean IT." said
the girl. But at the same time she
undid the blue ribbon from her hair
wherewith to lead 1t home, and as
she fastened It round the lambs neck
she said how sweet 1t was Of him.
Her red hair tumbled in a charming
disorder. l hate to have to say that
she went on to buy the bacon; It is.
unfortunately. true.
So now the shepherd was left with
no flock at all, which is generally
considered. believe. to be an irritat. |
Ing thing to happen to shepherd.
Then, walking quite slowly, there
came along another maiden. %,
alas! poor shepherdD She looked
straight before her. with big brown
eyes that were full OF wonder and Of
faith. Her midnight hair fell over
her shapely shoulders She was
dressed but In rags, and l doubt IL
she really had received a superior
education. To the boy these defects
meant nothing. He knew that his
true love had come at last, and there
was n pain in his heart She passed
by him In silence. He ran after her
and caught her by the hand.
Have found you at last?" he said
In low voice. 20, my beloved"
This was a little rapid. The girl
turned and looked at him, and he
was good sort Of boy to look at.
He persuaded her to come and sit
by him on the grass. and told her that
he was a shepherd.
"But you have no flock"
II had one once" he said; II had
two lambs. 1t was hundred years
ago"
Where are they?"
"A maiden passed this way" he
said. "and l gave her one Of them"
"And the other?"
well. a maiden happened To-"
Il see." she said. Did you kiss
themT