The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-08-16
THE MAN THAT THE DOG BARKED AT.


A few days ago we noticed a man walking along
one of our principal streets, whose appearance md
Gated that ho was Gin a peck of trouble" lie
looked cross enough TO bite tenpenny nail in two;
something very serious had disturbed his equanimi
~. While wo were wondering what It could have
been, whether or not he had failed in business, or
lost money by somebody else who had faile d.
whether or not his wife had cloped with his
best friend, all formed strange problem. The
face of matters wonderfully changed by quite
simple incident. We had absolutely determined,
in our mind, tho nature Of his grievances when
imPuden, little terrier, squated upon the side walk,
discovered something offensive in the appearance
Of the man to whom have alluded, and jumped
towards him with sharp aud angry bark. This
was altogether TOO great an indgnty, and filled
the cup of our travellers annoyance 10 overfow-
ing. He turned ferceIy towards the dog, and
while he insuIted him with blunt oath attem pted
to kick him. The was altogether too nimblo 4,
and as no loaped aside to avoid the punishment he
had earned, barked moro furiously than before
Tho mans anger knew no bounds the the
dog barked al him, the moro anxious he seemed
to be 10 succeed in kicking him. The figure they
cut, as the terrier capercd into the middle of the
street, the man after him, the dog yeping, and his
antagonist swearing louder and louder, was ludi-
crous IN tho extreme.
People gathered upon tho side walks in crowds
The ladies looked on and giggled; the mon braced
themselves against the wall and shook their sides
bravely, and tho boys yelled ou in great delight,
ego It, old follow, 60 it while you're young" The
man " no making SO laughable an exhibition
of himself, soon discovered that the dog was alto :
gether too agile for him. and gave up the chase in
despair. ltwas not till thon he observed that in
his anger he had made fool of him self Ho hast
y drew down his hat ovor his brow, and walked
rapidly away.
When merriment had subsidized we could not
help thinking how much this l,,Ih incident rosom
bled human life that is tho life of many specimens
Of humanity. If the whose story we have
told had only walk ed quietly on his way and ta-
ken no notice of the cutlery OF the cur, no matter
whether the cur was governed by wanton or ma
licious motives, lie would have excited by his con
duct neither laughter in others nor diminished his
own self respect. So in thousand things in life.
lie who pursues his path fearlcss!y and calm
y, without needing the puero assault Of those
who cannot by any possibility affect his destnes,
will not part dictated by good sense and wisdom
IT'S passing strange, that in life brief as this,
when it is in the power OF each one TO add to 9th
er's enjoyment, thoro should be so many curs.-
The business OF ono half Of the people of this
world seems TO be to render the remainder uncom
Portable and unhappy. There might be some slight
extenuaton il by making others miserable they
could add 10 their own happiness but no such no
suit follows thei labors. Indulgence in their own
malicious propensties not only annoys others, but
keeps themselves in ga perfect stew" by no means
conducive to comfort. The true way to manage
those is 10 pass them quietly by-t h cir yelping
is altogether innocuous. Tho moment you moddle
with them you find yourself in the Identical position
Of tho who attempted 10 kick tho dos-iaugh
ed at and derded, without the healing balm OF solf
approval in compensation. paper.