Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1910-12-23
The Shepherd

The boys lantern glowed like a will-o-
e-wisp as he came down the dark
mountain path to the little church. Soon
other lanterns joined his, and now and
then the pickering lights played on the
bright dress of girl or the eager face OF
a child, but for the most part the
shadowy figures gave no hint of race or
degree, until at last the little crowd
gathered into a poorly lighted ROOM
where the flare of an oi-lamp showed a
motley gathering of country people, a
few rude benches, platform screened by
a curtain of Turkey red, and an attempt
at decoration which resulted in the
beauty because nothing could spoil the
vividness of the mountain holly or the
grace of the ground-pine.
AS the boy souched toward seat a
girl stopped him, She wore pink knit
ted hood, and her cheeks rivaled the color
of her head covering
Merry Christmas" she said. and gave
him a coquettish glance from her bright
eyes as he returned her greeting.
The boy walked by her side little
awkardly but unafraid. He was nine
teen, and he lived on the hills. 1t was
the time for love, and the girl was his
chosen mate. After the festivities they
would go up the dark path together ana
he would kiss her at the door or her
fathers cabin, and that would be their
betrothal.
The sat together on the front bench
and read from the same hymn-book The
boy sang softly He would not let out
his voice in the little ROOM 1t was only
on the mountan-top that the deep tones
rang like a bell as he chanted a wild song
to his sheep.
The thought of the sheep brought un-
easiness. Up there on the mountain his
flock lay waiting for him to come ana
open to them the shelter of their shed'
but the temptation to go a-pleasurlng
had been great. and the smile OF the
pink checked girl, the music the hghts'
the companionship, had lured MN lIolIl
the lonely watch under the stars.
Then the girl whispered to him, and
he forgot care, until a little later an
outer door opened, and a man stepped in'
his shoulders white with glisteninS flakes.
ITS snown'," said the boy.
The girl nodded, but kept her eyes on
the stage. where four small girls reciteu It
Christmas poem in unison.
Again the boys thoughts flew to the
mountain, where the snow was bloWihg
and curling and drifting against closeu
door, and where the patient mock, nose u
nose and body to body for warmth pleat-
cd for the shepherd who did not come.
At last he moved restlessly. 1--WE got
to CO." he said to the girl.
mo, you hain't," her voice pleaded
IT'S a fearful storm" he whispered
Hear the wind, an the Sheep are uut'
"They hain't a-goin' to hurt she
whispered back, IAN you got to go nome
with me-"
"Your papa's here" he said
''If YOU don't stay" and now she
threatened ENORMOUSLY, '1f you don't
stay, I'll go home with jed.
The boy looked al her, at her rose-reo
cheeks, at her blue eyes, at the thin hnt
of her scarlet lips. But the sheep he
said, uncertainty.
she smiled. sure now Of her conquest
"I tell you them sheep hain't a-goin' &c
hurt" she repeated. and once more turned
her attention to the platform
The new minister was speaking en-
Enthusiastically, yearning to move TINS
lethargic people. The boy listened with
face alight. Through the long hours o.
his childhood he had sat in the sunshine
and dreamed Of great deeds. With th'
awakened impulses Of youth, he nae
tramped the forest and wondered VIVA
life meant to the men who were not O
the mountains. And now he knew To-
the minister was voicing the doctrine o
endeavor. It was not emotion that mao
the world better, but energy; one mus
not only dream, but one must do. Th'
great men were these who were faithtu
in the little things.
Remember that tonight we max
merry" he said finally, " but in years L
come we must work-work for the soul
that are without the fold; and as tn
shepherd cares for his sheep, so must WI
care for those who are astray'"
"As the shepherd cares for his sheep.
The words struck the boy with the fore
OF a blow. He half rose In his seat Du