{113}
THE GIRL’S OWN PAPER
Vol. VIII.—No. 360.]
[Price One Penny.
NOVEMBER 20, 1886.
[Transcriber’s Note: This Table of Contents was not present in the original.]
THE SHEPHERD’S FAIRY.
NOTICES OF NEW MUSIC.
EVERY GIRL A BUSINESS WOMAN.
VARIETIES.
A WIFE’S WELCOME.
THE INCORRIGIBLE.
THE BIRDS.
MERLE’S CRUSADE.
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.
THE SHEPHERD’S FAIRY.
A PASTORALE.
By DARLEY DALE, Author of “Fair Katherine,” etc.
“AND READ IT ALOUD.”
All rights reserved.]
CHAPTER VIII.
TWELVE YEARS LATER.
In the early days of the present century, during whichperiod the events of this story took place, the educationof the lower classes was of the meagrest description;boys like Jack Shelley, with intellectualcapacities above the level of their own class, had noneof the opportunities afforded at the present day ofrising from their humble position. Jack, indeed, wasfortunate in getting hold of Fairy’s books, which hevery soon mastered; but in those times young ladieswere taught very little besides history and geography,and a little French, and Fairy was not fondof study; she liked French, and she was fond ofpoetry; history she hated, and but for Jack herignorance of arithmetic would have been pitiable.Her taste for poetry hence fitted Jack indirectly, forMr. Leslie gave her a Shakespeare on her tenthChristmas Day, and from the first day Jack caughtsight of it he never rested till he had saved upenough money to buy himself one, which was hisconstant companion on the downs. He was an{114}intense lover of nature as well as ofpoetry, and his shepherd’s life helpedhim in this respect; for during the longhours he passed daily on the lonelydowns, he had plenty of time forobservation of all the birds andanimal life he came across. Sussex is afamous county for rare birds, and theneighbourhood of Lewes in particular iscelebrated in this respect; and by thetime Jack was seventeen he was quitean authority on birds; he knew all aboutthem, what kinds visited the neighbourhoodand at what seasons; which remainedall the year round, and