Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-09-27

unhinged gate lay upon the ground,
where, according to his directions, il had
been thrown; and the place il formerly
occupied was closed up by four strong
bars. firmly attached to the posts.
Mr.. Bolton didn't like the looks OF
this at all. But it was done; and he was
not the man to look back, when he had
once undertaken to do any thing.
As he was riding along, just after pas
sing from his grounds, he met Mr.. Dix,
who paused as Bolton came up.
well, neighbour said the former, in a
tone of mild persuasion, hope you
have thought better of the matter about
which we were talking few hours ago ;
about Halpin's right of way thro'
my farm you mean!
Yes. hope you have concluded to
reopen the gate, and let things remainas
they have been, at least for the present.
Those offensive measures only provoke
anger, and never do any good.
Bolton shook his head. He has no
right TO tresspass on my premises said
he sternly.
4 DS w tuC tbdttCI VI ICpiICu wi.
Dix, | think the general opinion will be
against you. BY attempting to carry
out your present purpose you will SUBJ
ject yourself to a good deal Of odium
which every man ought to avoid if ros.
sible. And in the end, if the matter goes
TO court, you will have TO yield in the
right Of way, and be compelled to pay
the cost Of suit and such damages as
may be awarded against you for expen-
ses and trouble occasioned Mr.. Hal
pin. Now let me counsel you to avoid all
these consequences if possible.
'Oh, you need not suppose all this ar
ray of consequence will frighten me-
said Bolton, Il don't know what fear is.
| generally try do right and then like
Crockett, 'go ahead
| Still, Mr.. Bolton, urged the neighbor
mildly, don't you think it wiser and bet
ter TO see Mr.. Halpin first, and explain
to him how much you are disappointed
at finding a righ. of way for another farm
across the one you have purchased! |
am sure some arrangement satisfactory
to both can be made. Mr.. Halpin if
you take him right, is not an unreasona.
BILE man. tell do almost any thing to
oblige another. But he is very Stub
born if you attempt to drive him. If he
comes home and finds things as they
now are, he will feel dreadfully outraged
and you will become enemies instead
of friends.
III can't be helped now,' said Mr..
Boton:-what is done is DONE
1T is not too late to undo the work.
suggested Mr.. Dix.
Yes, it is: I'm not the man to make
back tracks. Good day, Mr.. Dix
! And speaking to his horse, Mr.. Bolton
started off at brisk trot. He did not
feel very comfortable. How could he!
He felt that he had done wrong, and that
trouble and modification were before
him. But stubborn pride would not let
him retrace few wrong steps, taken
from wrong impulse. To the city he
went, transacted his business, and then
turned his face homeward, with heavy
pressure upon his feelings.
/ 'Ah mel he sighed to himself, as he
rode along, j wish had thought twice
this morning 5efore l acted once.
need not have been so precipitaie. But,
l was provoked to think that any one
claimed the right to make public road
through my farm. If had known that
Halpin was biother-in-law of Judge
Caldwell. That makes the matter so
much the worse.
And on rode Mr.. Bolton, thinking on
ly of the trouble he had SO needlessly
pulled down about his ears.
For the last mile OF the way there
had been gentleman riding along in ad-
vance Of Mr.. Bolton, and as the horse
of the latter made little the best speed,
he gained on him slowly until just as he
reached the point where the road leading
to his farm left the turnpike, he came up
with him.
'Mr. Bolton,' believe said the gem
tleman, smiling, as both in turning into
the narrow lane came up side by side.
| That is my name,' was replied.
'And mine is Halpin, returned the
other, offering his hand, which Mr.. Boil
sous Coutu oub tahC uouSH Hot SO Coiut-
ally as would have been the case had
the gate opening from his farm into Mr..
Halpin's been on its hinges.
/ i often heard my brother-in-law,
Judge Caldwell speak of you and your
lady. We promise ourselves great plea
sure in having you for neighbors. Mrs.
Halpin and | will take every oppor,u-
nifty to call upon you. How is all your
iamily!'
! Quite well thank you, replied Mr..
Bolton, trying TO appear polite and plea
sed, yet half averting his face from the
earnest eyes of Mr.. Halpin.
| I'VE have had a beautiful day. said
the latter, who perceived that from some
cause, Mr.. Bolton was not at ease.
| Very beautiful was the brief ans
wer.
You have been to the city, said Mr..
Halpin, after brief pause.
| Yes, had some business that made
it necessary for me to 60 town. Anoth-
er silence.
You have a beautiful farm. One of