St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-02-26

| Locn Fyne, was situated the sheer
| farm where on many occasions had
oeen a welcome guest. The farm
mouse was pleasantly located at the
loot OF long glen and sheltered by
some fine old fir trees from the blasts
which in winter swept down the val
ley.
1t was fine winter day when and
friend arrived at Loeb Goil-head
Where our host, or, as he was called,
the laird, had appointed to meet us,
and we received right hearty vel
come on landing from the steamer. He
mad with him his favorite collie, Gaze
sar, which ! had known as a puppy,
out whatever claim he had to beauty
in his youth had vanished. He had
then fine, glossy coat of black and
white, his face was well marked and
bushy tail hung "o'er his hurdles. "
NOW, alas! that appendage was sadly
imperfect, his ears were "ribboned, =
his face SCARED in many places and
he had but one eye left. Caesar now
looked anything but an amiable beau
ty. His master was, however, proud
OF him as sheep dog.
Soon afterward we did ample justice
to substantial meal of sleeps head
broth and roast mutton, over which
we discussed our plans for spending
the next few days. Our host promised
US some good sport if we were pre-
pared to face the hills, where the
white hares were plentiful; and we
gladly availed ourselves of the offer.
On one of our walks, when we were
far up on the hills and several miles
from the farmhouse, the laird marked
a sheep, telling us at the same time
that he would on the morrow give us
an example of Caesars skill. The
sheep was selected as contribution
to the dinner which was to be given
to the shepherds and their families at
Cairndhu on New Years day.
At breakfast next morning the laird
told us that Caesar was to fetch down
the marked sheep from the hills.
There is gate" he said, about four
miles down the loch side and by the
time we get there the dog and the
sheep will not be far off"
We went out into the yard and his
master having spoken few words in
Gaelic to the dog away Caesar went.
clearing the rough stone bikes in
single bounds, as he ran up the noun
tain. Away he went, higher and
higher, until we lost sight of him al
together and only a distant bark
echoed at intervals down the glen.
An hours brisk walk brought us to
the appointed place and. sure enough,
there was Caesar with his charge safe
and sound. To one only slightly &C
quainted With the working of collies
it seemed marvellous how the dog
could have singled out and brought in
the sheep from SO great distance in
SO short time.
"Ah," said the laird, sit needs bit
of generalship to do it. but Caesar,
like his namesake, is great general.
He knew perfectly we'll what was
wanted when marked that sheep yes
terday, and this morning, when start
ed him off, he made straight for the
place where it was likely to be found;
his difficulty then was to separate it
from the rest of the flock, for, as you
know, sheep always follow each other.
To manage this he gets between the
marked sheep and the others and, by
crouching down among the bracken
and starting up suddenly when the
sheep approach he frightens them and
by constantly repeating this strata
gem he gradually increases the dis
lance between the flock and the single
sheep. When the separation is &C.
complished his task becomes easy
and he has then only to drive the ami
NAL to the appointed place.
Caesar must have gone through an
amount of work in that short
time, but he seemed thoroughly to an
p;eciate his masters account of his
performance as he lay on the grass.
his tongue hanging out and his tail
with satisfaction.
Meanwhile the snow had been and
was falling fast; it lay several inches
deep on the road outside and a keen
north wind was blowing which would |
GAUGE heavy drifts on the mountains
so The laird congratulated himself |
upon having got his f1ocks to safer
shelters in time. AS the fall of snow |,
seemed likely to continue, he pree,osed |
making his way back to the farm and
sending a trap to convey US home
ater on.
Fully two hours elapsed and we
we're now waiting somewhat anxiouslv |
Tor the arrival of the trap, when we
heard the most dismal bowling of
log outside. At first we took no mar.
ocular notice of it, but after a time
)ne of the men came in and told us
hat Caesar seemed to be looking for
someone. The man himself was I'M.
Ter the influence of the dew" of his
native mountains and as we opened
he door to admit the dog he stumbled
Jack to the shed. where the pipes con.
inued to skirl. Caesar shook the
snow from his back but
10 words would pacify him and he
continued to give vent to the most un-
earthly bowls and at the same time
,ept making for the door. as if to in.
luce us to follow him.
Il am afraid there is something the
natter" said my companion; I'VE had
letter go out and see what Caesar
wants"
No sooner had we put on out coats
nd caps and opened the door than
,aesar began to bark and jump about
n wild state of excitement. running
long the road and then back again to