The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1847-05-07

my own business" The civil request that
he might be allowed TO use bis oxen and
chains for few moments being answered in
the same surly tone, Simeon quietly walked
Of, in search ofa more obliging neghbor.
The men who were left waiting with the
patient, suffering oxen, scolded abou. Reu-
bens ill-nature, and said they hoped he
would get stuck in the same bog himself
Their employer rejoined, "lfhe does, we will
do our duty and help him out" "There is
such thing as being too good-na,ured," said
they. "lf Reuben Black takes the notion
that people are afraid of him, /, makes him
trample on them worse than evor." '" q.
"Oh, wait while," replied Mr.. Green,
smiling, 81 will kill him before long. Wait
and see if don't kill him." auafI
1t chanced, soon after, that Rouben's team
did stick fast in the same bog, as the work.
men had wished. Simeon observed il from
a neighboring field, and gave directions that
the oxen and chains should be Immediately
conveyed 10 his assistance. The men laugh
ed. shook their heads, and said il was good
enough for the old hornet. They, however,
cheerful!y proceeded TO do as their employer
had requested. "You are in q bad situation,
neighbor," said Simeon, as ho came along
side ofihe foundered team. "But my men
are coming with two yoke of oxen, and !
think we shall soon manage to help you
out" "You may take your oxen back again."
replied Reuben;% don't want any Of your
help." In a very friendly tone Simeon an
swercd, 81 cannot consent 10 do that; for
evening is coming on. and you have very lit
tie time TO lose. ltis a bad job any time
but it will be still worse in the dark" slight
or dark, l don't ask your help" replied Reu-
ben, emphatically. ~ wouldn't help you
out of,he bog, the other day, when you ask
ked me-" "The trouble had in relieving
my poor oxen teaches me to sympathize with
others in the same situation" answered Sim
con- Don't let US waste words about it,
neighbor. II isimpossble for me to 60 home
and leave you here in the bog, and night com.
ing on" - ta .a.l ...a va...
The team was soon drawn out, and Sim
con and his men went away, without waiting
for thanks, When Reuben went homo that
night, he was unusually silent and thought
full. After smoking while, in deep con-
Temptation, he gently knocked the ashes
from his pipe, and said, with a sigh, "Peg,
Simeon Green has killed me-" What do
you meant" said his wife, dropping her knit
ting, with look of surprise. "You know
when he first came into this neighborhood
he said he'd kill me-" replied Reuben; sand
he has done it. The other day he asked me
to helpdr his team out of the bog, and
told him had enough 10 do to attend to my
own business. To day my team stuck fast in
the same bog, and he came with two yoke Of
oxen TO draw it ont. felt sort Of ashamed to
have him lend me hand, so | told him |
didn't want any of his help; but he answered
inst as pleasan, as if nothing contrary had ev-
or happened, that night was coming on, and
he was not willing TO leave me there in the
mud" "It was very good of him." replied
Peggy. "He is pleasant-spoken man, and
always has pretty word TO say TO his boys.
His wife seems to be nice neighborly body,
too" Reuben made no answer; but after
medita,ing while, he remarked, "Peg, YOU
know that big ripe melon down at the bot
tom ofthe gardeni you may as well carry il
over there, in the morning" His wife said
she would without asking him to explain
where "ove, there" was. ''o'o.' ..a o's.
But when the mo'ning came Reuben walk
ed back and forth, and round and rouad, with
that sort Of aimless activity, often manifested
by hens, and fashionable idlers, who feel rest
less, and don't know what to run .after. AT
length, the cause Of his uncertain move
men,s was explained, by his saying, in the
form Of a question, 81 guess | may as well
carry the melon myself, and thank him for
his oxen2 In my furry down there ia tho
marsh, didn't think 10 say 1 was obliged to
him. a.aa W aynRoi b.a mu
He marched of toward the garden, and his
wife stood at the door, with one hand on her