Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-03-01
Jerry The Cowboy.

An eccentric old gentleman OF wealih,
named Morton, invested sum OF money.
the income OF which he designed 10 be
used tor the liberal education OF the most
deserving lad in his town, a village IN
Minnesota.
He made his plan known TO i've gen.
tlemen. requesting them privately TO make
observations and report TO him in SIX
months.
Had the boys known this, many ofthem
might have used every means TO gain his
favorable opinion; but as the matter was
secret, he had an opportunity TO observe
them without their suspectng his motive.
AT the end OF six months the live gen.
tIemen met at Mr.. Monon's and discussed
the question in all its bearings. Each
had his favorite, whom he considered
most worthy
"There is John Webb, who is most
exemplary lad" said one. What fault
can you find with him, MIR. Morton 2"
81 will tell you," was the reply. 81
once hired him to take some important
letters TO the morning mail, but he met a
companion on the way, and was so anx-
ious for his own amusement that he neg
lected to mail the letters till II was too
late, and they were delayed day, and a
gentleman overheard him say 10 COM
panon that he did not care much, so
long as the old fellow would never find
it out But the delay caused the loss OF
quite sum OF money"
Gentlemen" continued Mr.. Morton,
al have tried in various ways all The boys
you have mentioned, but none OF them
satisfy me-"
Then you have TO give up your pro-
iect," said one "tor think we have
discussed the merits OF nearly every boy
in town"
81 believe Jerry Traux has not been
mentioned" said Mr.. Morton.
"What Jerry. the cowboy ?" asked
one, with a smile.
ayes, believe he drives cows 10 and
from pasture"
Surely, Mr.. Morton, you must be
joking now"
"If | had any disposition TO joke. !
should not take poor little boy for a
subject"
"But, Mr.. Morton, do you know any
good OF this boy ?"
"Do you know anything wrong about
him ?"
"Nothing special ; but does he amount
TO anything, except 10 drive cows ?"
"ie never has had an opportunity, but
intend he shall have. have fully de-
cided 10 give him The benefit OF my pro-
ject."
"You will tell us the reasons for max
ing him your choice ?"
Certainly. with pleasure. You call
him a cowboy. Well, that does not
signify 10 me one way or another. 1t is
simply because know him 10 be good
and faithful cowboy that give him The
preference. II seems small thing 10
drive COWS TO pasture, but he is the only
one who has always done il faithfully
every day, the season through, the same
in my absence as when ! was at home,
while others loitered on the way, and
allowed the cattle 10 stray into other en-
closures for The day, thinking II would
never be known. II is evident 10 me that
if he is so strictly faithful in small things,
he has the right spirit in him TO make him
trustworthy in greater things Justthen,
"To-link, to-lank, to-Iinkle -linkle,
Ger banks with buttcrcups a-twiukle,
The COWS came slowly home"
Jerry. gray-shirted and bare-footed,
guided them into the yard. He saw the
last COW in, put up the bars, saw that the
gate was securely closed, and was about
TO trip away when Mr. Morton called
him into The house. where he told him
something.that made Jerry Traux dumb
with glad surprise, and sent him home
the happiest lad in town.
a