The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-05-29
VOL 10. No. As. Whole No, 5l3.

much as 10 say "I'he world IS all the pleasah-
ter for having you in it. Simeon Green" Ihe
old cow, fondling her calf under the great
walnut tree, walked up TO him with serious
friendly face, asking for the slice of sugar beet
he was wont to give her, Chanticleer, strut
ting about, with his troop Of plump hens ana
downy little chickens, took no trouble to keep
out ofhis way, but tapped his glossy wings
and crowed welcome to his very face.-
When Simeon turned his steps homeward,
the boys threw up their caps and ran our
shouting, Gathers comingm and little Mary
went toddling up to him, with n dandelon
blossom to place in his button-hole His wife
was a woman offew words, but she some
times said to her neighbors, with quiet kind
of satisfaction, every body loves my hus-
band, that knows him. They can't help IT,"
Simeon Green's acquaintance knew he nny-
err was engaged in q lawsuit in his life; but
they predicted that he would fud 1t impossl-
BILE to avoid il now. They told him his next
neighbor was determined TO quarrel with peo-
pie, whether they would or not; that he was
like John Lilburne, ofwhom Judge jenkins
said "lf the world was emptied of every per-
son but himself Lilburue would still quarrel
with John. and John with Lilburue."
ais that his character?r said Simeon. "lf
he exercises it upon me will soon kill him.
In every neighhorhood there are individuals
who like 10 fomenr disputes, not from any
definite intention of malice or mischief but
merely because il makes little ripple of eX-
citement in the dull stream of life, like con-
test between dogs or gnme-cocks. such pen-
pie were not slow in repeating Simeon
Green's remark about his wrangng neigh
hor. xiii me- will he" exclaimed Reuben.
He said no more; bur his tightly compressed
mouth had such significant expression that
his dog lodged him, as he would the track
Ola tiger, That very night Reuben turned
his horse into the highway, in hopes that he
would commit some depredatious on neigh
Dor Green 5 premises. But Joe smith see
ing the beast at large, let down the bars of
Reuben's own corn field, aud the poor anmai
walked in, and feasted as he had not done for
many years before. 1t would have been a
great satisfaction TO Reuben ifhe could have
brought lawsuit against bis horse; but as 1t
was he had to content himself with beating
him. His next exploit was 10 shoot Mary
Green's Chandelier because he stood on the
stone wall, and crowed, in the ignorant Joy
his heart, two inches beyond the frontier
line that bounded the contiguous farms. SIM
con said he was sorry for the poor bird, and
sorry because his wife and children liked u g
pretty creature, but Otherwise il was 10 great
matter. He had been intending 10 make a
poultry yard, with good high fence, that has
hens might not annoy his neighhors; and now
he was admouished to make haste and do II.
He would build them snug warm house 10
roost in; they should have plenty of gravel
and oats and room to promenade back and
forth. a nd crow and Gackle to their hearts
contenr there they eould enjoy themselves
and he out of hurm's way.
But Reuben Black had good degree of
ingenuity & perseverance which might hage
produced great results for mankind, had those
qualities been devoted to some more noble
purpose thaa provoking quarreis. \ pear
tree in his garden very improperly stretched
Oyera friendly arm into Simeon Green S
premises. Whether the sunny state otthIngs
there had a cheering effect upon the tree !
know not-but it happened that this over
hanging bough bore more abundant rut,aud
giowed with a richer hue, than the other
boughs. One day, litle George Green, as he
went whsting along, picked up pear that
bad fallen into his fathers garden. The min
ute that he touched it he felt something on
the back of his neck like the sting ofa wasp.
II was Reubeu's whip, followed 10y such u
storm of angry words the poor child rushed
into the house in an agony ofterror. But this
experiment failed also. The boy was sooth-
ed by his mother, and told not TO 60 near the
pear tree again--and there the matter ended.
This imperturable good nature veXed Reu-
hen more than all the tricks and taunts he met
from others. Evil efforts he could understand,
and repay with compound interest; but he did
not know what to make of this perpetual for
bearance. II seemed to him there must be
I something cOntemptuous in II. lie dlSllEed
Simeon Green more than all the rest of the
town put together, because he made him feel
so uncoaiortably in the wrong and did not
IL IN pOf,lplaiut
1t WAS annoying to see every thing in his
neighbor'5 domains looking so happy, and
presenting such bright contrast 10 the for
lornness Of his own. When their wagons
passed each oIherO the road, it seemed as il
Simeou's horse tossed his head higher, and
flung out his name, as if he knew he was 60
ing by Reuben Blacks old nag. He.otten said
he supposed Green covered his house with
roses andhoneysuckles on purpose to shame
his bare walls. Bat he didn't care-not he
He wasn't going 10 be fool enough 10 rot his
boards with such stuff. But no one resented
his disparaging words, or sought to provoke
him in any way. The roses smiled, the horse
neighed, and the calf capered but none of
them had the least idea they were insulting
Reuben Black Even the dog had no malice
in his heart, though he did one night chase
home his geese, aud bark at them through the
bars. Reuben told his master, the rext day,
A he swore he would bring an action against
MIN if he didn't keep that dog at home; and
Simeon answered very quietly that lac would
try to take better care of him. For several
days strict watch was kept, in hopes Tow
ger would worry the geese agair; but they
paced home undistHbed, and not solitary
bow-wow furnished excuse for lawsuit.
The new neighbors not only declined quar-
reling, but they occasionally made positive
advances towards a friendly relation. Sine
4 on's wife sent Mrs. Black large basket full
of very tine cherries. Pleased with the I'M