A Sheepherder’s Soliloquy · Improvement Era

Sheepherder's Soliloquy BY LEROY J. ROBERTSON

"Indeed, it has actually happened for there on the outside ;

hangs the fresh lion skin, while down in the gully a bald-mountain lion startles the little lambs and terrifies their mothers no more. And who, pray, was the Moses of these wandering, bleating Israelites? This morning heard somebody say it was I; but to- night finds the good somebody far away, while the honorable I is left to converse with a dog. — "Well, Spot, let's be sociable and spend the evening oh, say, at tangoing. You see this tent? It is an admirable ball-room. — The candle reflects its walls strikingly especially the dirt and grease-goblins ! And the cricket musicians outside are very pro- ficient indeed. We have everything but the lady, and perhaps "What? Stretching and yawning? What is it you are say- — ing ''ewe' ? "The very thing; there are hundreds of them out there who would no doubt be glad of a chance to show off their fancy steps. My, but you are a wise dog. And then there's that old lion's mate, Spot. She certainly put in an appearance last night. I wonder how her lord and master's pelt looked to the blonde? However, if she wishes to try the new steps, she can for all of — — me I mean with me after a bullet has made her a third eye socket "By jove, Spot, the gun is down under that red pine down ;

there whe-e we found the young lamb sucked of its blood You !

know I gave you the rest of the innocent thing for your dinner, and then walked away, not thinking about the rifle. That was what made me forget. If you had gone without that one big meal, perhaps it would have been better for both of us tonight, don't you think?"

"Poor old Spot, sound asleep. That's what happens to other

mortals on a full stomach. Dreaming, no doubt, of by-gone dog days!

"All still as death. Even the merry tinkles of the little round sheep bells have been drowned in the quietude of the darkness. The cricket orchestra has hopped into Nature's covers, and its chirp is lulled into silence by the soft sailing of clouds. Now a

! — ;

gust of air moans softly, for the pine needles have pricked it again all is restful in the calm bliss of night. "Old boy, I'm going to bed. Somehow, something keeps pounding at my heart. Could there be any reason for being afraid ? Oh, no, I'm not afraid but still it feels as if I were. I ;

haven't got the gun, so there is no need of worrying about acci- dentally shooting myself; but I wish I did have it, so I could just the same. Spot, I'm going to bed."

"Awake again. Did I not hear something? "'Flap! flap!' "Am I dreaming? Is it the old lion's tail whacking against the tent ? Listen Is something prowling outside ? Spot !

"You growl, old boy better get your eyes open. ;

" 'Flap flap flap !'— what is that ? ! !

"Oh, if we had our thirty-two here, Spot, we wouldn't be acting this way tonight. All those shells lving in that box. and every one useless. Why, they're not all rifle shells ! There is a

box for a revolver— for Tom's automatic. And now I remember, he left it under the pillow will turn I think presently. Good here it is The joke, Spot, !

"Our visitor must be pretty near. Still, the sheep are all lv- ing quiet. Perhaps she is down in the oak brush, waiting for a ! !

before morn- chance to surprise them and get her thirst quenched ing. I know it was she, for no other creature could-— !' * ' 'Flap ! flapO-oo o-oo o-oo ! flap ! ! !

owl flying off into the no- "The joke's on us, Spot Only an !

where of darkness!"

Obar that farmers are Watermelons are getting so plenty around ;

hogs. We had several this week.-Obar (New feeding them to the Mexico) Progress. because f think you The Lady "Well, I'll give you twopence, not

^^VTra^; ^T^r;:^;^ yermake yours {?"-From "The Sketch. ft sixpence, an'

thoroughly enjoy el

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