Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 September 1880 — A Faithful Shepherd Boy. [ARTICLE]

A Faithful Shepherd Boy.

Gferhardt was a German shepherd boy, and a noble fellow he was, although he was very poor. One clay he was watching his* flock, which was feeding in a valley on the borders of a forest, when a hunter came out of the woods and asked: “ How far is it to the nearest visage?” “Six miles, sir,” answered the boy, “ bnt the road is only a sheep track; and very easily missed.” The hunter looked at the crooked track, fjid said: “ My lad, I am very hungry and thirsty; I have lost iny companions and missed 5 my way; leave your Bheep and show me the road; I will pay you well.” „ “I can not leave my sheep, sir,” rejoined Gerhardt. “They will stray into the woods, and may be eaten by wolves or stolen hy robbers.” “Weil, what of that?” queried Hid hunter. “They are not your sheep. The loss of one or more wouldn’t be mncli to, your master, and I'll give VQti more tliau you have earned in a whole year.” . r “I can not go, sir,” rejoined Gerhardt, very firmly. “My master pays me for my time, and he trusts me with his sheep; if I were to sell my time, which does not belong* to me, and the sheep should get lost, it would be the same as if I had stolen them.” “Well,” said the hunter, “yoa will trust yqur sheep with me while you go to the village and get some food, drink and a guide? I will, take care of them for you.” Tne boy shook bis head. “The sheep,”. 9aid he, “do not know your voice, and—” he stopped speaking. “Ana what? Can’t you trust me? Do I look like a dishonest man?” asked the hunter, angrily. f “Sir,” said tne bey, “you tried to make Ime false to my trust, and tried to make me break my word to my master ; how do I know that you would keep your word to me?” . - Hie banter laughed, for he felt that the lad had fiuriy cornered him. He said: * v •V.” - “J *®®t “W lad, that you are a good, faithful boy. I will not forget you. Show me the read, and I will try to make it out myself.” Gerhardt then offered the contents of his scrijit to the hungry man, who, coarse as it was, ate it gladly. Presently his attendants came up, and then Gerhardt, to his surprise, found that the hunter was the grand duke, who owned! all the country around. The duke was so pleased with the boy’s honesty that he Bent for him shortly after (hat, and had him educated. In after years, Gerhardt became a very great and powerful man. but he remained honest and true to his dying day.