"There they come," shouted one, and far up the road a cloud of dust could
he seen, and soon a carriage was observed bowling along, containing Parson
John, Nellie and Dan.
Their eyes opened wide with amazement as they drew near, saw the cheering
crowd, and drove beneath the overhanging arch. Silently they alighted and
grasped the numerous outstretched hands. The past was forgotten in the joy
of the present, and the shepherd and his flock were once again united.
"It all seems like a wonderful dream," said Parson John to Nellie as they
sat that evening together after the others had departed. "We went out as
culprits, with only a few to bid us good-bye, and now we come home to the
love of our people. Surely the Lord has been good to us, and has led us by
ways that we knew not. Truly His ways are not our ways, and He does all
things well."
Dan speedily recovered his former strength and his old-time spirit. He was
like a new lad. The weight which had pressed upon him so long had been
removed. He felt he was no longer a sponger, a useless being. His longing
to read and write increased, and as the days passed he made rapid
progress.
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