KABI.KS. 



357 



THE SHEPHERD TURNED MERCHANT. 



A Shepherd was feeding" his flock, on a very fine 

 day, near the sea-side. The beauty of the weather, 

 the smoothness of the water, and the ships w r ith 

 spreading sails floating along its surface, formed 

 altogether so charming a scene, that he lost all 

 relish for a pastoral life; and lured also by the 

 prospect of gain, he determined to quit an employ- 

 ment, which he now despised as yielding neither 

 honour nor profit. He quickly sold off his flocks, 

 and commenced merchant adventurer; and ere 

 long, he embarked with his whole property on the 

 ocean. The ship had not long been at sea before 

 a dreadful tempest arose, which wrecked her and 

 all her cargo; but our merchant and the crew were 

 fortunate enough to escape with their lives. The 

 adventurer having thus lost his all, returned to 

 his former farm, and was glad to hire himself to 



