Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-05-06
Select Calls.
From The Columbian Magazine for May.
The Man that Killed his NeighbOrS'
FOUNDED ON FACT.
by L. MARIA CHILD.

around MIN nay III TIC Wei! SdIHCHIS, uCSs,
and stones,
Reuben Black was an infestaton in the neigh
borhood where he resided. The very sight of
him produced effects similar to the Hindoo mag
ical tune, called Raug, which is said to bring
on clouds, storms and earthquakes. His wife
seemed lean, sharp and uncomfortable The
heads of his boys had bristling aspect, as III
each individual hair stood on end with perpetual
fear. The cows poked out their horns horizon
tally, as soon as he opened the barn'yard gate
The dog dropped his tail between his legs, and
eyed him askance, to see what humor he was in.
The cat looked wild and scraggy, and had been
known to rush straight up the chimney when heI
moved toward her. Fanny Kenbles expressive
description of the Pennsylvania stage-horses
was exactly suited to Reubens poor old nag
"His hide resembled an old hair-trunk." Con-
tinual whipping and kicking had made him such
stoc that no amount of blows could quicken
his pace, and no chirrupng could change the
detected dropping Of his head All his natural
language said, as plain as a horse could say 1t,
that he was a most unhappy beast Even the
trees on Reuben's premises had a gnaIled and
knotted appearance. The bark wept little sick
y tears of gum, and the branches grew awry,
as if they felt the continual dscord, and made
sorry faces at each other behind their owners
back. His fields were red with sorrel, or run
over with MULLEN Every thing seemed as hard
and arid as his own visage Every day, he cursed
the town and the neighborhood because they
poisoned his dogs, or stoned his hens, and shot
his cats Continual lawsuits 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 neigh
borhood, he had brought three suits in success
sion. Joe said he returned spade he borrowed
and Reuben swore he had not. He sued Joe,
and recovered damages, for which he ordered
the sheriff to seize his pig. joe, in his wrath
called him swnder, and a curse to the neigh
borhood These remarks we're soon repeated
to Reuben lie brought on an action for libel,
and recovered twenty-five cents. Provoked at
the laugh this occasoned, he watched for Joe tc
pass by, screaming furiously, "Call me an old
swndler again, will your An evil spirit i,
more contagious than the plague. Joe wen
home and scolded his wife, and boxed little Joe;
ears, and kicked the cat and not one of then
knew what it was all for A fortnight after
Reuben's big dog was found dead by poison.-
Whereupon he brought another action agains
Joe Smith, not being able to prove him guilty o
the charge of dog-murder, he took his revenge
by poisoning pet Lamb belonging to Mrs. Smith
Thus the bid game went on, with mutual worri
ment and loss. Joes temper grew more AM
more yndictve, and the love of talking owe
his troubles at the grog-shop increased upol
him. Poor Mrs S Smith cried and said it was al
owing to Reuben Black; for better hearted
man never lived than her Joe, when she frs
married him.
Such was the state Of things when Simeon
Green purchased the farm adjoining Reuben's
The estate had been much neglected. and hat
caught thS,les and MULLEN from the ueigbborin
fields Bat Simeon was dlgent man, besse
by nature with a healthy organization, and
genial temperament; and a wise and kind edu
cation had aided nature in the perfection Of he
goodly work. His provident industry soon chan
ged the aspect of things on the farm. River
mud autumn.eaves, old shoes and old bones
were all put in requsition to assist in the pro
duction of use and beauty. The trees, wit
branches pruned, and bark scraped free iron
moss and insects soon looked clean and vigorous
Fields of grain waved where weeds had rioted
Persian lilachs bowed gracefully over the simpl
gateway. Michigan roses covered half the hous
with their abundant clusters Even the roug
rock, which formed the door step, was edge
with golden moss. The sleek horse feeding j
clover, tossed his name and neighed when hi
master came near; as much as to say, 9Th
world is all the peasanter for having you in ii
Simeon Green I" The old COW, fondIing he
calf under the great walnut tree, walked up t.
him with serious friendly face, asking for tn
slice Of sugar beet he was wont to give her,
Chandelier, strutting about, with his troop o
plump hens and downy lutte chickens, took NJ
trouble to keep out of his way, but tapped hi
glossy wings and crowed a welcome in his yer
face When Simeon turned his steps homewar
the boys threw up their caps and ran out shout
ing, "Fathers coming !" and little Mary wen
toddling up to him, with dandeon blossom l.
place in his button-hole His wife was woma
of few words, but she sometimes said to he
ncighbors, every body loves my husband tn;
knows him, They can't help it,"
Simeon Green's acquaintance knew that h
was never engaged in law suit in his life bl
predicted that he would find it impossible I
avoid it now. They told him his next neighbc
was determined to quarrel with people, whetht
they would or not that he was like John Lilburnt
of whom Judge Jenkins said, off the world wa
emptied of every person but himself Lilburn
would still quarrel with John, and John wit
LilbUrne."
sis that his character !' said Simeon. q
ne exercises it upon me will soon kill him"
In every neighborhood there are Individual
who like to ioment disputes, not from any del
mite intention of mischief but merely because
makes little ripple of excitment in the du
stream of life, like contest between dogs ,
game-cocks. Such people were not slow in r