The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-06-01

| Mary Green's handsome obanticleer. bec.use
he stood on the stone-wall and crowed. TO the
ignorant JOY Of his heart, two inches bevond
the frontier line that bounded the coutipuops
farms. Simeon said he was sorry for the
poor bird. and sorry because his wife and
children liked the pretty creature; but other.
wise II was no great matter. He had been
intending to build a poultry yard, with a good
high fence, that his hens might not annoy his
neIghborsi and now he was admonished TO
make haste and do il. He would build Them
a snug warm house 10 roost in; they should
have plenty of gravel and oats, and room to
promenade back and forth, and crow and
cackle 10 their hearts content; there they
could enjoy themselves, and be Out ofharm's
way.
But Reuben Black had a degree, OF ingep-
ulty and perseverance " hich might have pro.
duced great results for mankind, had :hose
qualities been devoted to some more noble
purpose than provoking quarrels. A pear
tree in his garden very improperly stretched
over a friendly arm into Simeon Green's
premises. Whether the sunny state of things
there had a cheering effect upon the tree /
know not but il happened that this over
hanging bow bore more abundant fruit. and
glowed with a richer hue than the other
bows. One day. little George Green, as he
went whistling along, picked up a pear tina,
had fallen into his fathers garden. The in
slant he touched il he felt something on The
back Of his neck, like the sting ofa wasp. Ii
was Reuben Blacks whip, followed by such
a storm oil angry words that the poor child
rushed into the house in an agony OF terror.
But this experiment failed also. The boy
was soOthed by his mother. and told not to
60 near the pear tree again and there the
matter ended.
This imPerturable good nature vexedReu-
hen more than all The tricks and taunts he
met from others. Evil efforts he could un-
deistand. and repay with compound interest;
but he did not know what TO make OF this
perpetual forbearanse. 1t seemed TO him
there must be somthing conteptuous in it,
lie disliked Simeon Green more than all the
rest OF the town put together, because he
made him feel so uucomfortably in the wrong,
and did not afford him the slightest pretexi
for complaint. TWAS annoying to see every
thing In his neighbours domain looking so
happy, and presenting such a bright contrast
to the forlornhess Of his own. When their
wagons passed each other on the road, il
seemed as If Simeon's horse tossed his head
higher. and flung out his name, as fhe knew
he was going by Reuben Blacks old nag
He often said he supposed Green covered his
house with roses and honeysuckles on pur-
pose TO shame his bare walls. But he didnt
care-not he! He wasn't going to be fool
enough to rot his boards with snch stuff
But no one regarded his disparaging remarks,
or sought to provoke him in any. The ro-
ses smiled, the horses neighed. and the cali
capered but none Of them had the least idea
they were insulting Reuben Black. Even
the dog had no malice in his heart, though be
did one night chase home the geese, and
bark at them through the bars. Reuben told
his master, the next day. he swoie he would
bring an action against him if he didn't keep
The dog at home; and Simeon answered very
quietly that he would try and tax better care
oof him. For several days a strict watch was
kept, in hopes that Towser would worry the
geese again, but they passed home updisturb-
ed. ard not a solitary bnw-wow furnished ex-
cuse for a lawsuit.
The new ~neighbors not only declined quar-
relling, but they occasionally made positive
advances toward a friendly relation. Simeon's
wife sent Mrs. Black a large basket full Of
very fine cherries Pleased with the unex.
pecIed attention, she cordially replied. Tell
your mother il was very kind ofher, and | am
very much obliged TO her. Reuben who sat
smoking in the chimney corner, litened to
this message once without any manifestation
Of impotence, except whiting through his
pipe a little faster and hercer than usual
But when the boy was going out of the door,
and the friendly words wers again repeated,
he exclaimed, Don't make a fool of yourself,
Peg. They want to give US a hint TO send a
basket of our pears; that's the up-shot Of the
business. You may send EN- a basket. when
they are ripe; for | scorn TO be nnder obliga-
ton, especially TO your smooth-tongued
folks Poor Peggy, whose arid life had been
or the m6ment refreshed with a little dew of
kindness, admitted distrust into her bosom,
and the halo that radiated round the ripe
glowing cherries, departed.
Not long after this advance toward good
neighborhood, some laborers employed by
Simeon Green, passing over a bit Of marshy
groud, with heavy team. stuck fast in a bog &C.
casioned by long continued rain. The poor
oxen were entirely unable to exhicate them
selves, and Simeon ventured TO ask assistance
from his waspish %neighbor. who was working
at a short distance, Reuben replied grufiy,
I've got enough 10 do to attend to my own
business The civil request that he might
be allowed to use bis oxen and chains for a
few moments being answered in the same
surly tone. Simeon silently walked of, 10
search of a more obliging neighbor.
The men, who were left waiting with the
patient, suffering oxen, scolded about Reu-
hens ill-nature, and said they hoped be would
get stuck in the same bog himself. Their
employer r%ejoined, III he does we will do our
duty and help him out
There is such a thing as being too good
natured.' said they. 'lfReuben Black takes
The notion that people are afraid of him. il
makes him ,rample on them worse than ever
oh, wait a while replied Mr.. Green,
sizzling. Il will kill him before long. Wait
and see if I DOM kill him.
1t CHANGED. soon after, that Reuben's team
did stick in the same bog. as the worsmen
had wished. Simeon observed it from a
neighboring field. and gave directions that
the oxen & chains should be sent Immediately
to his assistance. The men laughed, shook
i. - - IL =. =. .anI annnnh lnr