The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-08-09

oxen were entirely unable TO cXGl1cate lnem-
selves, and Simeon ventured to ask assistance
from his waspish neighbor, who was working
at a short distance. Reuben replied gruf1ly,
GIVE got enough to do to attend to my own
business" The civil request that he might be
allowed to use his oxen and chains for few
moments being answered in the same suIly
tone, Simeon silently walked off, in search of
more obligng neighbor.
The men who were left waiting with the
patient suffering oxen, scolded about Reu-
ben's Immature, and said they hoped he would
get stuck in the same bog himself Their en-
ployer rejoined, " If he does, we will do our
duty and help him out" "There is such a
thing as being too good natured," said they.
" If Reuben Black takes the notion that peo-
pie are afraid of him, it makes him trample
on them worse than ever"
"Oh wait WHILE replied Mr.. Green,
smiling " | will kill him before long. Wait
and see if don't kill him."
1t CHANGED, soon after, that Reubens team
did stick fast in the same bog, as the work
men had wished Simeon observed it from
neighboring field and gave directions that
the oxen and chains should be Immediately
conveyed to his assistance. The men laughed,
shook their heads, and said it was good enough
for the old hornet. They, however, cheer
fully proceeded to do as their employer had
requested. You are in bad situation,
neighbor," said Simeon, as he came along
side of the foundered team. But my men
are coming with two yoke of oxen, and |
think we shall soon manage to help you
out" You may take your oxen back
again." replied Reuben " l don't want any
of YOUR help" In a very friendly tone
Simeon answered, Il cannot consent to do
that; for evening is coming on, and you
have very little time to lose. 1t is a bad
lob any time, but it will be still worse in
the dark" Light or dark l don't ask your
help" replied Reuben, emphatically. 81
wouldn't help you out of the bog, the other
day, when you asked me-" "The trouble |
had in relieving my poor oxen teaches me
to sympathize with others in the same sit
uation," answered Simeon. Don't let us
waste words about it neighbor. 1t is i'm
possible for me to 60 home and leave you
here sin the bog, and night coming on"
The team was soon drawn out, and Sim
con and his men went away, without wait
ing for thanks. When Reuben went home
that night, he was unusually silent and
thoughtful After smoking a while, in deep
contemplation, he gently Knocked the ashes
from his pipe and said, with a sigh, "Peg,
Simeon Green has killed mel" "What do
you mean 2" said his wife, dropping her
know when he first came into this neighbour
hood, he said he'd kill me-" replied Reuben
"and he has done it. The other day he
asked me to help draw his team out of the
bog, and told him had enough to do to at
tend to my own business. To-day my team
stuck fast in the same bog, and he came with
two yoke of oxen to draw it out. / felt sort
of ashamed to have him lend me hand, so
told him l didn't want any of his help
but he answered, just as pleasant as if
nothing contrary had ever happened, that
night was coming on, and he was not will
ling to leave me there in the mud" 1t
was very good of him." replied Peggy
" He is pleasant-spoken man, and always
has pretty word to say to the boys
His wife seems to be a nice neighborly
body, too" Reuben made no answer; but
after meditating while, he remarked, "Peg,
you know that big ripe melon down at the
bottom of the garden? you may as we'll
carry it over there in the morning" His
wife said she would without asking him to
explain where g over there" was
But when the morning came Reuben
walked back and forth, and round and
round, with that sort of aimless activity
often manifested by hens, and by fashlona
bic oilers, who feel restless, and don't know
what to run after. At length the cause Of
his uncertain movements was explained, by
his saying, in the form Of a question, 8"
guess may as we'll carry the melon myself
and thank him for his oxen? In my furry
down there in the marsh | didn't think tC
say / was obliged to HIM"
He marched off toward the garden, and hi!
wife stood at the door, with one hand on hcl
hip, and the other shading the sun from hel
ewes, to see if he would really would carry
the melon into Simeon Green's house. 1
was the most remarkable incident that haC
happened since her marriage. She coulC
$ hardly believe her own eyes. He walked
> quick quick as if afraid he should not be able tc
, carry the unusual impulse into action if he
stopped to reconsider the question. Wher
he found himself in Mr.. Green's house, he
| felt extremely awkward, and fastened to say
| " Mrs. Green here is a melon my wife sen
| you, and we reckon it's a ripe one" With
r out manifestng any surprise at such un
| expected courtesy, the friendly matrol
thanked him, and invited him to sit down
But he stood playing with the latch ofth door
and without raising his eyes said, MAY bc
, Mr.. Green amt in, this morning ?"
{" He is at the pump, and will be in direct
| w." she replied and before her words were
spoken, the honest man walked in, with {
| face as fresh and bright as June morning
| He stepped right up to Reuben, shook hi
. hand cordially, and said, " am glad TO SCI
/ you neighbor Take chair. Take a chair
"Thank you, Icant stop" replied Reuben
. He pushed his hat on one side, rubbed hi
r head, looked out Of the window, and ther
t said suddenly, as if by desperate effort
6 " The fact is, Mr. Green, l did MT behave
G right about the oxen"
: :" Never mind, never mind" replied Mr.
Cream. "Perhaps she'll get into the boz
/ again some of these rainy days if do,
, shall know whom to call upon"