of the authors and also the publishers--Houghton, Mifflin and Company.




THE SHEPHERD'S STORY[*]

Washington Gladden


"Bring hither that sheepskin, Joseph, and lay it down on this bank of
dry earth, under this shelving rock. The wind blows chilly from the
west, but the rock will shelter us. The sky is fair and the moon is
rising, and we can sit here and watch the flocks on the hillside
below. Your young blood and your father's coat of skins will keep you
warm for one watch, I am sure. At midnight, my son, your father,
Reuben, and his brother James will take our places; for the first
watch the old man and the boy will tend the sheep."

"Yes, grandfather; you shall sit in that snug corner of the rock,
where you can lean back and take your comfort. I will lie here at your
feet. Now and then I will run to see whether the sheep are wandering,
and that will warm me, if I grow cold."

"Have you never been out on the hills at night with your father?"

"Never, grandfather. I have often begged him to let me come; but he
kept saying that I must wait until I was twelve years old. On the last
full moon was my birthday and today, when he returned from Bethlehem
to the flocks, he brought me with him."