The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-05-29

fuulateu fOuHu thc Ilpc GloNilS Si'Sit'N" ~
parted
Not long after this advance toward good
neighborhood, some laborers employed Ivy
Simeon Green, passing over . hit Of marshy
ground, with II heavy team, stuck last ~
bog occasioned by long continued rain. The
poor oxen were entirely unable to eXtricaie
| themselves. and Simeon ventured 10 ask as
sistance from his wuspisi neighbor, who was
working at a short distance. Reuben replied
grufiiy, 'I'ye got enough to do 10 attend TO my
own business" The civil request that lie
might be allowed to use his oxen and chains
| for few moments being answered III the
same surly tone, Simeon silently walked OFF
| in search of more obliging nCighbor.
The men, who were left with the patient,
suffering oxen, scolded about Reuben's Ill
nature, and said they hoped he would get
stuck in the same bog himself. Their emf
poyer rejoined, AFT he does, we will do our
duty and help him out" "There is such
thing as being too good-natured, said they
"IfReuben Blach takes the notion that peo-
pie are afraid Of him, it makes him trample
on them worse than ever"
"Oh. wait awhile" replied Mr. Green, smil-
ing, 81 will kill him before long. Wait and
see if don't kill HIM"
1t Glanced. soon after, that Reuben's team
did stick fast in the same bog, as the Work-
men had wished. Simeon observed 1t from
n neghboring field, and gave directions that
the oxen and chains should be Immediately
conveyed TO his assistance. The men laugh
ed shook their heads, and said II was sood
enough for the old hornet. They, however
cbeerfulv proceeded to do rs their employer
had requested. "You are in bad situation,
neighbour" said Simeon, ms he came along
side the foundered team. "But my men are
coming with two yoEles of oxen, and l think
we shall manage to help you out" " 4 on may
tnkc YOUR oxen back again" replied Eeubeb'
81 don't want any of your help In very
friendly tone Simeon answered, 81 cannot
/, consent TO do that, for evening IS coming on
/ and You have very little time 10 lose. 1t is a
bad lob anv time hut il will be still worse IN
: the dark Light or dark, don't wantyoG5
, help" replied Reuben, emphaiicnIIy. Il
= wouldn't help you out Ct the bog, the other
day. when Won asked me-" "The trouble had
Lin relieving my poor oxen teaches me 10 SYM
pathise with others in the same SITUATION an
swered Simeon Don't let us waste words
! about it, neighhor; it is impossible for me to
| 90 home and leave you here in the bog ana
: night coming on"
7 The team was soon draxn out. and Sine
. on and his men went away, without waiting
} for thanks When Reuben went home that
night. he was unusually silent aud thought
ful. After smoking while, in deep contenl-
plarion, he gently Knocked the ashes from his
) pine. and said with n sigh, peg, Simeon
Green has killed mel" "ANhat do yon mean:"
said his wife. dropping her knitting, with
: look ofsurprise "You know when he first
, came into this neighborhood, he sad he'd
, kill me-" replied Reuben; " and be has done
IT, The other day he asked me TO help draw
his team out of the bog, and | told him had
) enough 10 do 10 attend to my own business:
J To day my team stuck fast in the bog, and
he came with two yoke Of oxen 10 draw It
out felt sort ofashamed 20 have h;m lena
me hand. so told him didn't want any
ofhis help; but he answered, Just as pleasant
as if nothing contrary had ever happened.
that night was coming on, and be was rot
willing to leave me there in the mud "it
was very good ofhim," replied Peggy. "He
is pleasant spoken man, and always has
pretty word 10 say to the boys. His wife
seems to be a nice neighborly body. 49,
; Reuben made no answer, but after medlta-
ting a while he remarked, "Peg, you know
, that Big ripe melon down Mt the bottom OF
the garden? you may as we'll carry It over
there. in the morning" His wife said she
would, without usking him to explain where
cover there was.
But when the morning came, Reuben wafN-
ed back and forth, and round and round,
/, with that sort of aimless activity, often mani-
tested bv heus,aud by fashionable oilers, who
ter. At length, the cause OF his nncertaiG
/ movements was explained, by his saying, in
the form Of question, 81 guess may as well
carry the melon myself, and thank him for
his oxen? In my furry down there in tie
marsh, didn't think to say was obliged to
} him.
He marched offtowura the garden, and
his wife stood at the door, with one hand OF
her hin, and the other shading the sun from
her ewes. to see if he really would carry tic
melon into Simeon Green's house. 1t was tllS
: most remarkable incident that had happeneS
since her marriage. She could hardly be:
J leve her own eyes. He walked quick, as y
afraid he should not be able to carry the unIir
! suaI impulse into action ifhe stopped 10 re-
; consider the question. When he found hiru-
self in MIR Green's house. he felt extremely
: awkward, and hastened to say, "Mrs.Green,
; here is rnelon.my wife sent you, and we
: reckon it is ripe oue.2 Without manifest
: ing any surprise at this unexpected courtesy,
, the friendly matron thanked him, and inYires
him to sit down. Bur he stood playing with
the latch of the door, and without raising hg
ewes. said, 'May be MrGreeu amt in, this
moEning?"
: s.IIe is at the pump, and viii he in immedi.
: ateIv." she replied, and before her words were
: spoken the honest man walked In, with j.
face as fresh and brigh; as a June morning
: He stepped right up to Reuben, and shook
} his hand cordially, and said, Il am glad %
see you, ueighbor. Take chair. Take
chair"
: "Thank Won, can't STOP Fsplied ,Reu-
ben. He pushed his hat on one side, rubbed
, his head. looked out ofthe window, and then
= said suddenly,as ifby desperate effort, 1.-THE
, fact is Mr. Green, l didn't behave right about
tba