The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-09-29
Katie: Sheep-Dou.

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mesa was where | met Katie, the
sheep-dog. While was chatting with
her master, and she peacefully dozed,
a party of sheep decided that they
must start out exploring.
The herder saw, and stood up. "Hi!"
he shouted. Where are you going?
You'd better turn back there!"
The band stopped short, and gazed
at him. They plainly hesitated. Then
the old eve which was leading gave
a defiant shake of her head, where
upon. followed by the others, she i'm
pudently moved on.
Katie" said the herder softly, do
you see those sheep, and what they're
doing? Go after them Katie. Turn
them back. Show them what's what"
Away sped Katie, with all her
might, straight for the errant band;
and in the time that 1t takes for the
telling she had launched herself in
front Of the band. The very sound of
her crashing through the brush had
made them stop-they suspected what
WIS about to happen. Then, at first
gnmpse of her, in a panic. they
wheeled like cavalry squad, and
rushed for the main herd. Across
their heels darted Katie, back and
forth. One little lamb must have lost
its wits, for 1t insisted upon running
in the wrong direction. Katie made
after 1t. She tried to turn 1t right;
but 1t was as obstinate as any pig;
until finally, exasperated, Katie seized
1t by the nape Of the neck and gave
1t a good nip. Then Katie looked back
at us.
The herder raised high his right
arm, as signal for her to cease. Then
he brought his arm down, and briskly
slapped his thigh. Katie understood.
When the sheep we're grazing. too
far up the valley, or were getting too
scattered, away out Of sight, he would
send Katie to turn them, and round
them up. Here, Katie!" he would
say, waking her instantly. He would
wave his arm, indicating the direc.
ton. Go way round them, Katie
way round!"
on, would dash Katie in a hsadlong
run, disappearing amid the timber, or
round a hill. But all along her course
We would see the sheep scuttling In
from outlying points = twoe. and
threes, and eights, and tens OF them,
old and young-until the herd was
compact once more. Presently, per.
haps opposite to us, there would be
Katie, standing and gazing for further
instructions. The herder would slap
his thigh, and signal her in.
One might talk to Katie Just as to
a human being. Now, Katie" would
instruct the herder, Il want you to
herd the sheep from that rim rock
yonder TO the timber. Don't let them
stray outside"
Yes, Katie understood. She sat and
watched the sheep. The herder went
to sleep. Katie made an occasional
circuit; and If any sheep were found
beyond the rim rock, or in the timber,
they were sent scurrying back.
Or the herder would say: Katie,
there's a lamb there want to catch;
but we'll let the eve alone" Once
Katie knew which lamb it was, she
would pay attention to no other, nor
would she pay attention to its mother,
the eve. That one lamb, in bunch
Of thousand other lambs, she would
stick to unerringly, until with her as
sistance the herder had caught it.
But how he loved her! They were
alone together, in the sage-brush by
day and in the tent by night, out |
there on the great Western range.
He fed her the 0est that his menu
produced. He talked to her, and she
to him. And he put his arms around
her silky neck and kissed her, and
she kissed him back. FA
"Wbl don't you have another dog |
to help ber?" asked once, when she /
was particularly footsore at the close
of hard day.
NO" he replied, 1--WE sheep-herders |
have saying: One dog is good |
dog; two dogs are half dog; three |
dogs are no dog at ALL Katie and ] |
can do the work; can't we, Katie?"
And Katie laid her head on his lap.
Magazine.