The Battle of the Sheep

There is a vein of good humor that appears even in their quarrels. A flock of them have come into the yard together to drink, and one of the lot inconsiderately walks obliquely across the path of another just before him, and in a manner to put slight upon his dignity. The injured wether [sic] hits him a sudden stroke with the side of the head; instantly the two were in line of battle. The attitude of the offended animal is most imposing. He is not angry; he is indignant morally. His whole being is opposed to that form of evil. He sets his face vertically against it. He stiffens his neck; he buckles up his back upon it. He repels it, he will bunt it. His adversary nowise less the embodiment of justice. He has forgotten the original trespass. None of the Jesuit fathers of whom Pascal tell us, could more skillfully aim his thoughts to do the act and avoid the sin. He is intent only upon the violence that confronts him. The heads are together with a heavy thump, and he is back for another run. There is a clear twinkle of roguery in his eye as he opens it after the shock. He hopes the blow has been for the sheepy fellow’s good, and he has more of the like. Half a score of others are hit in the running and are quickly in for honor or frolic. The yard is alive with pushing and tumbling and prancing; except that a few of the more matronly and dignified of the flock are in the upper corner; looking grave, and stamping with their forward feet.

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, Thursday, April 23, 1863