SHEEP SCULPTURE 



was an ordinary kind. I had seen sheep and lambs in 

 pasture fields that looked much like our sheep, so I 

 did not think there was anything unusual about 

 them. I supposed that the show sheep, with their 

 wonderful points, must be specially bred and must 

 belong to kinds that do not run in ordinary mortal 

 pastures. But I know better now. I saw Mary Belle 

 transformed from an ordinary playful scamp of 

 a lamb to a primped and perfect darling of the show- 

 ring. I have learned that sheep-raising and sheep- 

 showing are two entirely different things, and I 

 have been forced to the conclusion that Touchstone's 

 shepherd didn't know much about the possibilities of 

 shepherding. He was only a "natural philosopher," 

 but the modern shepherd is an artist. I suppose it 

 wouldn't do for me to say "fakir." 



When Mary Belle was captured she acted much as 

 an untamed youngster might when about to have his 

 hair combed and neck washed before being exhibited 

 to company. She jumped wildly and blatted for her 

 mother, but it was no use. A strong man held her 

 by the wool around her neck, while the experienced 

 showman looked her over with a critical eye. He ad- 

 mitted that she had many good points — ^but there 



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