The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1847-05-07

Every thing seemed as hard and arid as
his own yissage. Every day, he cursed
the town and the neighborhood, because
they poisoned his dogs, and stoned his
hens, and shot his cats. Continued law
suits involved him in so much expense that
he had neither time nor money to spend
on the improvement OF his farm.
Against Joe Smith, poor laborer in
the neighb orhood, he had brought three
suits in succession. Joe said he had res
lurned spade he borrowed, and Reube II
ore he had not. He sued Joe, aud re>
covered damages, for which lie ordered
the sheriff to seize his pig. joe, IN his
wrath, called him anold swindler, and a
curse to the neighborhood. These re-
marks were soon repeated to Reuben.
He brought an action for libel, and re-
covered twenty FIVE cents. Provoked at
the laugh this ocoasioned, he watched for
Joe to pass by, and set his big dog upon
him, screaming furiously, Call me an old
swnder again, will you!' AS evil spirit
is more contagious than the plague. Joe
went home and scoded his wife, and box
ed little Joe's ears, and kicked the cat;
and not one of them knew what it " as all
for. fortnight after, Il seuben's big dog
was found dead by poison. Whereupon
he brought another action against Joe
Smith, and not being able TO prove him
guilty of the charge of dog murder, be took
his revenge by poisoning pet lamb, be-
longing to Mrs. Smith Thus the bad
game went on, with mutual warriment
and loss. Joe's temper grew more and
more vindic,ive, and the love of talking
over his troubles at the greg shop increas
ed upon him. Poor Mrs Smith cried and
said it vas all owing to Reuben Black
for better hearted man never lived than
her Jos, when she drst married him.
Such was the state of things whon ST.
neon Green purchased Che farm adjon
ing Reuben S. Tie estate had been much
neglected, and had caught this,les aud
mullen from the eighboring fields. But
Simeon was dill gent man, blessed by
nature with healthy organization and a
genial temperament; and a wise and kind
educa alton had aided nature in the perfec
tion OF her goodly work. His providenL
industry soon changed the aspect of things
on the farm. Riyer-mud, autumn leay es
old shoes and old bones, were all put in
requestion to assist 10 the production OF
use and beauty. The trees, with branches
pruned, and bark scraped free frcm moss
Gus. Fields of grain waved where weeds
had .ioted. Persian lilacs bowed grace
fully uver the simple gateway. Michigan
roses covered half the house with their
abundant clusters. Even the rough rock !,
viii ch formed the door step, was edged
with golden moss. The sleek horse, feed e
ing in clover, tossed his name aud neighed
when his master came near; as much as o
say, The world Is all the peasanter for
udtI IhB Iu III ~ AJ'tllEOh NiSSht HS
old COW fondling her alfunder tie great
walnut tree, walked up TO him with seri
uus friendly face, asking for the slice ct
sugar beet he was wont to give her
Chanticleer, struttihg about, with his
troop of plump leas aud downy little
chickens, took no trouble to keep ont cf
his way, but tapped bis glossy wings, and
ciowed welcome ia his very face. When
Simeon turned bis steps homeward, the
boys threw up their caps and ran out
shouting, Fathers coming!' and little
Mary went toddling up to him, with a
dandelion blossom to place in his button
hole. His wife vas woman Of few words,
but she sometimes said to her neighbors,
with quiet kind of satisfaction, Every.
body loves my husband, that knows him.
They can't help IL
Simeon Green's acquaintance knew
that he was never engaged in lawsuit
in his life; but they predicted that he
would find i, impossible to avoid it now.
They told him his next neighbor was de-
temined to quarrel with people, whether
they would or not; that he was like John
Lilburne, of whom Judge Jenkins said
III the world was emptied of every person
bnt himself, Lilburue would still quarrel
with John, and John with Lilburne.'
is that his character? said Simeon
'Ifhe exercises il upon me will soon
kill him.
Inevery neighborhood there are indi-
vlduals who like to foment disputes, not
from any de finite intention of malice or |
mischief, but merely because it makes a
between dogs or game cocks
Such people we're not sljw in repeating |
Simeon Green's remark about his wiring |
ling neighbor. 'hainie wil.he!' exclarm
ed Reuben. He said no more; but his |
tightly compressed mouth had such sig