The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-08-10
.At8relIatrp.
Iron the Trenton Emporium
NY NEIGHBOUR.


one, knows too that his situation is a re-
markabIy happy one, who has not two of
fhe latter 10 one of the former stamp. A.
mong those, who, upon the whole, are
entitled 10 the first appellation, we are
not to look for perfection, seeing that
we live liz a world where evil prepon-
derates, and the bad passions so general
" run loose and rnbridled. In neighbor-
hood, as welhas in matrimony, perhaps,
a great deal depends upon the example
we set, and as To be a good husband is
OF all things the most likely to make a
good wife, so il is in the little communi-
~ around US; "A good pattern seldom
fails TO be copied in greater or less de-
gree.
When | came to settle down in our
village, ! naturally made the matter of
neighbourhood a consideration, and as
what was termed the village. covered a
considerable space, aud, as like all other
villages, ii had lis own variety Of char
acters, tolerabIe opportunity for The
exercise Of a judicious choice 10 the mat
ter, existed. | fixed on situation that
every one recommended, and sat myself
TO business by the side of a family reput-
ed for extraordinary prudence and good
nature. The people all spoke in their
lavnur-the old esteemed them, and The
young loved them-they were perfect
paragons, at least at distance.-But il
has been written, that no man was ever
without faults in the opinion of bis val
ct, and SO an intimate association ALWAYS
discovers some weak parts in the best OF
mortals. In short, | found myself, in
due process of time, somewhat disap.
pointed; Common thing, to be sure.
but not less unpleasant for being COM
mon.
Ny neighbour was fond Of talking.
and was equally fond of his particular
opinion. In this he was like most others.
and had no great reason to complain
But then TO be drawn into a constant at
titude Of defence 10 be obliged to ar
que every inch of my way; 10 be met
with opposition in almost every position
| took and TO End that once wrong ii
was eternally in vain to attempt to sci
my friend right, was no very pleasant
situation for man OF few words like N.Y.
self a contradictory spirit having once
fairly taken root, grew up, believe, on
both sides, for was probably as often in
the wrong as be was, and oVershadowed
all our after intercourse could no.
complain. For every body praised the
complacency and goodness OF my neigh
Dor
We remained, Notwithstanding, en-
tirely friendly, and as our intimacy was
great, my neighbor seemed 10 think that
some little tokens Of freedom ought to
be introduced, such as the occasional
borrowing of little change, garden
tools, or household articles. As TO
the latter, they were kindly retained
ill called for under the plea that my
visits we're agreeable. The former
seemed in the warmth of neighbor-
ly friendship wholly forgotten. enter
tanned personally mortal autipathy TO
borrowing, and consequently seldom re-
turned The numerous compliments paid
me and when did make the attempt,
received an excuse for noncompliance,
with sincere expression or two of sor-
row that ii happened SO.
My neighbor had another distinguish
ing trait for which the world had never
TO my knowledge given him any credit.
True it was said in the general that
he was remarkably prudent; but | did not
know precisely the meaning of this term
until now. As there was no regular mar.
keti the village, farmers and others sup
piled those of the villagers who were not
themselves agriculturalists with such ar
ticles as they needed at their doors. He
was always on the look out, and he new
er failed TO cover entirely every good
bargain that came in his way; ALWAYS
wanted the whole of a cheap and good
article thought this little selfish :;
but was assured ii was perfectly consist
ent with good neighbourhood to look
TO ones own interest, steadily and singly
Il demurred little, but was overrul-
ed. One day he borrowed money Of me
TO buy heavy lot Of four--I wanted
some at the time, but il was bargain,
and went into his chest. Some months
after was induced 10 purchase part Of
it; he charged me third in advance of
the price he gave, aud plac sd the amount
as a set OFT against the cash he borrow
ed. 1t was all honest---at least legal.
A spirit Of universal sympathy and
kindness was ever perceptible in my
neighbours conduct too insomuch that
my servants were always asked, when
opportunity offered, how they were
treated, whether scolded much, obliged
to work hard, had as good eating and
drinking as their master, and slept in as
good chambers, and on as soft beds