Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1847-05-20

n WASH | going TO be TOOL enough to rot ms
boards with such stuff. But no one resen
e ted his disparaging remarks, or sought t.
d provoke him in any way. The roses
: smiled, the horse ncighed, and the call
r 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 the
= geese, and bark at them through the bars.
B Reuben told his master, the next day, lie
: swore he would bring an action against
him II he didn't keep the dog at home;
t and Simeon answered very quietly that he
: would try to take better care of him
f For several days a strict watch was kept,
in hopes Towser would worry the geese
f again; but they passed home undisturbed,
and not solitary bow-wow furnished ex-
cuse for lawsuit.
The new neighbors not only declined
quarrelIing, but they occasionally made
5 positive advances toward friendly rela-
, ton, Simeon's wife sent Mrs Black a
large basket full of very fine cherries
Pleased with the unexpected attention, she
, cordially replied, "TeII your mother it
was rery kind OF her, and am very much
obliged TO her." Reuben, who sat smok-
: ing in the chimney listened to this
message once without any manifestation
of impotence, except whiting through his
pipe little faster and fercer than usual.
But when the boy was going out of the
door, and the friendly words we're again
repeated, he exclaimed, "Don't make a
fool of yourself, Peg. They want to give
us hint 10 send a basket Of our pears;
that's The up-shot of the business. You
may send 'em basket, when they are
ripe; for scorn to be under obligation,
especially to your smooh-tongued folks. /"
Poor Peggy, whose arid life had been for
the moment refreshed with little dew Of
kindness, admitted distrust into her bosom,
and the lalo that radiated round the ripe
glowing cherries, departed.
Not long after this advance toward
good neiglborhood, some laborers employ
ed by Simeon Green, passing over Bit
of marshy ground, with heavy team, stuck
fast in bog occasoned by long continued
rain. The poor oxen were entirely I'M
bic to eXtrcate themselves, and Simeon
ventured to ask assistance from his wasp
ish ncighbor, who was working at short
distance. Reuben replied grullly, "lve
got enough to do to attend to my own
business" The civil request that be
might be allowed to use his oxen and
chains for few moments being answered
IN the same surly tone, Simeon silently
walked of, in search of a more obliging
neighbor.
The men, who were left waiting with
the patient, suffering oxen, scoIded about
Reuben's Immature, and said they hoped
he would get stuck in the same bog him.
self, Their employer rejoincd, of he
does, we will do our duty and help him
out"
"Thcre is such thing as being TOO
good-natured," said they. IF Reuben
Black takes the notion that people are
afraid of him, it makes him trampIe on
them worse than ever
oh, wait while, replied Mr. Green,
smiling, 4 will kill him before long
WAIT and sec if don't kill him
1t CHANGED, soon after, that Rucben's
team did stick fast in the same bog, as
the workmen had wished. Simeon Oh
served it from neighboring field, and
gave directions that the oxen and chains
should be Immediately conveyed to his
assistance The men laughed shook their
heads, and said it was good enough for
the old hornet. They, however, cheerful,
Iy proceeded to 10 as their employer had
requested. you are in bad situation,
neighbour said Simeon, as he came along
side of the foundorcd 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 Ruebcn; Il don't want any
Of your help In very friendly tone
Simeon answered, Il cannot consent to
do that; for evening is coming on, and
you have very little time TO lose. 1t is a
bad job any time, but it will be still wose
in the dark Light or dark, don't ask
your help" replied Reuben, emphatical-
Iy. I wouldn't help you out of the bog,
the other day, when you asked me- The
trouble | had in relieving my poor oxen
teaches me to sympallzc with others in
the same situation answered Simeon -
Don't let us waste words about it, neigh
Dor. 1t is impossible for me to 60 home
and leave you here in The bog, and night
coming on
The team was soon drawn out, and
Simeon and his men went away, without
waiting for thanks. When Reuben went
home that night, he was unusually silent
aud thoughtful, After smoking awhile
in deep contemplation, he gently knocked
the askes from his pipe, and said, with a
sigh, Peg, Simeon Green has killed me!
What do you mean? said his wife, drop
ping her knitting, with a look Of surprise.
You know when he first came into this
neighborhood, he said he'd kill me, re-
piled Reuben, and he has done it. The
other day he asked me to help draw his
team out oflhe bog, and | told him | had
enough to do to attend TO my own bust
mes. To-day my team stuck fast in the
same bog and he came with two yoke of
oxen to draw it out felt sort of asham.
ed to have him lend me hand, 80 | told