A Faithful Shepherd Boy.


GERHARDT was a German shepherd boy,

and a noble fellow he was, too, although he

was very, very poor.

One day while he was watching his flock,

which was feeding in a valley on the borders

of a forest, a hunter came out of the woods,

and asked:

"How far is it to the nearest village?"

"Six miles, sir," replied the boy; " but the

road is only a sheep track, and very easily

missed."

The hunter glanced at the crooked track,

and said:

"My lad, I am hungry, tired, and thirsty.

I have lost my companions, and missed my

way. Leave your sheep, and show me the

road. I will pay you well."

"I cannot leave my sheep, sir, "rejoined

Gerhardt. "They would stray into the forest,

and be eaten by wolves, or stolen by robbers."

"Well, what of that?" queried the hunter.

"They are not your sheep. The loss of one

or more wouldn't be much to your master,

and I'll give you more money than you have

earned in a whole year."

"I cannot 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 stole them."

"Well," said the hunter, "will you trust

your sheep with me, while you go to the village

and get some food and drink, and a

guide? I will take good care of them for

you."

The boy shook his head. "The sheep,"

said he, "do not know your voice and "

Gerhardt stopped speaking.

"And what? Can't you trust me? Do I

look like a dishonest man?" asked the hunter,

angrily.

"Sir," said the boy, "you tried to make me

false to my trust, and wanted me to break my

word to my master. How do I know you

would keep your word to me?"

The hunter laughed, for he felt that the boy

had fairly cornered him. . He said, "I see,

my lad, that you are a good, faithful boy. I

will not forget you. Show me the road, and

I will try to make it out myself."

Gerhardt now offered the humble contents

of his scrip to the hungry man, who, coarse

as it was, ate 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 sent for him shortly after, and had

him educated. In after years, Gerhardt became

a very rich and powerful man; but he

remained honest and true to his dying day.

Honesty, truth, and fidelity, are precious

jewels in the character of a child. When

they spring from piety, they are pure diamonds,

and make the possessor very beautiful,

very happy, very honorable, and very useful.

May you, my readers, wear them as

Gerhardt did. Then a greater than a duke

will befriend you, for the Great King will

adopt you as his children, and you will become

princes and princesses royal in the kingdom

of God. 




Young Pilgrim.