Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-05-06

win DeallHg MIN, his heAl CAplOlt "aS " ShOOI
Mary Green's chandelier, because he stood on
the stone-walI and crowed, in the ignorant JOY
of his heart, two inches beyond the frontier line
that bounded the contiguous FARMS Simeon
said he was sorry for the poor bird, and sorry
because his wife and children liked the pretty
creature; but otherwise it was no great matter.
He had been intending to build poultry yard,
with good high fence, that his hens might not
annoy his neighbors; and now he was admon-
ished to make haste and do it. He would build
them snug warm house to Toost in they should
have plenty of gravel and oats, and room to
promenade back and forth, and crow and cackle
to their hearts content; there they could enjoy
themselves, and be out of harms way.
But Reuben Black had degree Of ingenuity
and perseverance which might have produced
great results for mankind, had those qualities
been devoted to some more noble purpose than
provoking quarres. A pear tree in his garden
very improperly stretched friendly arm into
Simeon Green's premises. Whether the sunny
state of things there had cheering effect on the
tree know not; but it happened that this over
hanging bough bore more abundant fruit, and
gowed with richer hue, than the other boughs
One day, little George Green, as he went whis-
Ting, picked up pear that had fallen into his
fathers garden. The instant he touched it he
felt something on the back of his neck, like the
sting of wasp. 1t was Reuben Blacks whip,
followed by such storm of angry words that
the poor child rushed into the house in an ago.
ny of terror But this experiment tailed Also
The boy was soothed by his mother, and told
not to go near the pear tree again. and there
the matter ended.
This mperturable good nature vexed Reu-
ben 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 forbear-
ance. 1t seemed to him there must be some
thing contemptuous in it. He disliked Simeon
Green more than all the rest Of the town put
together, because he made him feel so uncom
fortably in the wrong, and did not afford hin
the slightest pretext for complaint. 1t was an
noyng to see everything in his neighbours do
mains looking so happy, and presenting such ;
bright contrast to the lorlornness of his own
When their wagons passed each other on the
road, it seemed as if Smeon'S horse tossed hi:
head higher, and flung out his name, as if he
knew he was going by Reuben Blacks old nag
He often said he supposed Green covered hi
house with roses and honeysuckles on purpos
to shame his bare walls But he didn't care
not he. lie wasn't going to be fool enough t.
rot his boards with such stuff But no one re
sented his disparaging remarks, or sought t.
provoke him in any way. The roses smiled
the horse Weighed, and the calf capered; bu
none Of them had the least idea they were in
sulting Reuben Black Even the dog had IL
malice in his heart, though he did one nigh
chase home his geese, and bark at them throug
the bars. Reuben told his master, the mex
day, ne Swore he would bring an action again'
him if he didn't keep that dog at home; an
Simeon answered very quietly that he would tr
to take better care of him. For several days
strict watch was kept in hopes Tower wouI
worry the geese again, but they paced HON
undisturbed, and not solitary bow-wow furnish
ed excuse for a lawsuit.
The new neighbors not only declined quarre
ling, but they occasionally made positive advdr
ces toward friendly relation Simeon's vii
sent Mrs Black large basket full of very fin
a cherries. Pleased with the unexpected after
ton, she cordially replied, Tell your mother
was Vcry kind of her, and am very much
bliged to her Reuben, who sat smoking i
the chimney-corner listened to this messag
3, once without any manifestation Of Impotence
except whiting the smoke through his pipe
little faster and fiercer than usual But whe
the boy was going out of the door, and tn
friendly words were again repeated, he exclain
ed, Don't make fool of yourself, Peg The
: want to give US hint to send basket of OF
pears that's the upshot of the business. Yo
I may send 'em basket, when they are ripe; ft
| scorn to be under obligation, especially to yot
I smooth-tongued folks Poor Peggy, whose ari
S life had been for the moment refreshed with
little dew of Kindness admitted distrust into he
, bosom, and the halo that radiated round the rip
r glowing cherries departed.
} Not long after this advance toward good neigl
IpNlhOOHJ 9OilC luOOlGIS SHlpIOyeu ny DlIIcO
Green, passing over bit of marshy grount
with heavy team, stuck fast in bog occasion
} ed by long continued rain. The poor oxe
$ were entirely unable TO extricate themseve
and Simeon ventured to ask assistance from h
waspish neighbor, who was working at sho
: distance. Reuben replied gruffly, 'Pve got
nough to do to attend to my own business tt
civil request that he nigh: be allowed to use h
oxen and chains for few moments being al
+ swered in the same surly tone, Simeon silent
t walked of, in search of more obliging neig
Dor
e The men, who were left waiting with the p
t tent, suffering oxen scolded about Reuben
Immature, and said they hoped he would g
stuck in the same bog himself Their employ
r rejoned, If he does, we will do our duty al
: help him out There is such thing as beiu
too good-natured, said they. If Reuben Bac
takes the notion that people are afraid of hir
it makes him trample on them worse thu