Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1850-10-18
THE MAN THAT KILLED HIS NEIGH.
BORIS.
story with a M0ral..Founded on Fact.
BY LYDIA MARIA CHILD.

1t is curious to observe how mans spiritual
state reflects itself in the people and animals a.
round him; nay, in the very garments, trees and
stones.
Reuben Black was an infestation 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 seem
ed lean, sharp, and uncomfortable. The heads
of his boys had brstling aspect, as if each indi-
vidual hair stood on end with perpetual fear
The COW poked out her horns horizontally as
soon as he opened the barn yard gate. The dog
dropped his tail between his legs, and looked ask
ance, to see what humor he was in The cat
looked wild and scraggy, and had been known
to rush straight up the chimney, when he moved
towards her. Fanny Kemble's expressive de-
scription Of the Pennsylvania stage horses, was
axactly suited to Reuben's poor old nag. "His
hide resembled an old hair trunk" Continual
whipping and kicking had made him such stole
that no amount of blows could quicken his pace,
and no chrruping could change the detected
dropping of his head. All his natural language
said as plain as horse could say it, that he was
most unhappy beast. Even the trees on Reu-
ben IS premises had gnarled and knotted appear
ance. The bark wept little sickly tears of gum,
and the branches grew awry, as if they felt the
continual discord, and made sorry faces at each
other behind their owners back. His fields were
red with sorrel, or run over with mullen. Ev-
cry thing seemed as hard and arid as his own Wis
age. Every day he cursed the town and the
neighborhood because they poisoned his dogs,
and stoned his hens, and shot his cats. Contin-
ual lawsuits involved him in so much expense
that he had neither time nor money to spend n
the improvement of his farm.
Against Joe Smith, a poor laborer in the neigh
borhood, he had brought three suits in success
ion. Joe said he had returned spade he bor-
rowed, and Reuben swore he had not He sued
Joe, and recovered damages, for which he order
ed the sheriff to seize his pig. Joe in his wrath,
called him an old swindler, and curse to the
neighborhood. These remarks were soon repea-
ted to Reuben. He brought an action for libel,
and recovered twenty-five cents. Provoked at
the laugh this occasioned, he watched for Joe to
pass by and set his big dog upon him, screaming
furiously, "call me an old swindler again, will
your" An evil spirit is more contagious than
the plague. Joe went home and scolded his
wife, and boxed little Joe's ears, and kicked the
cat; and not one of them knew what it was for
fortnight after, Reuben's big dog was found
dead by poison. Whereupon he brought anoth-
er action against Joe Smith; and not being able
| to prove him guilty of dog murder, he took his
revenge by poisoning pet lamb, belonging to
Mrs. Smith, Thus the bad game went on, with
mutual worrying, and loss. Joe's temper grew
more vindictive, and the love of talking over his
troubles at the grog shop increased upon him.
Poor Mrs. Smith cried and said it was all owing
to Reuben Black; for better hearted man new
or lived than her Joe, when she first married him.
| Such was the state of things when Simeon
Green purchased the farm adjoining Reuben's.
The estate had been much neglected, ana had
caught thistles and mullen from the neighbor-
ing fields But Simeon was dilgent man, and
blessed by nature with healthy organization
and genial temperament; and wise and kind
education had aided nature in the perfection of
her goodly work. His provident industry, soon
changed the aspect of things on the farm. Riv
er mud, autumn leaves, old shoes and bones
were all put into requisition to assist in the pro-
duction of use and beauty. The trees with
branches pruned, and bark scraped free from
moss and insects, soon looked clean and vigor-
ous Fields of grain waved where weeds had
rioted. Persian lilacs bowed gracefully over
the simple gateway. Michigan roses covered
half the house with their abundant clusters
Even the rough rock, which formed the door
step, was edged with moss. The sleek horse,
feeding in clover, tossed his name and neighed
when his master came near, as much as to say,
"The world is all the pleasanter for having you
| in it. Simeon Green' The old COW, fondling
her calf under the great walnut tree, walked up
to him with serious friendly face, asking for the
slice of sugar beet he was wont to give he'll
Chandelier, strutting about with his troop of
plump hens and downy little chickens, took no
trouble to keep out of his way, but tapped his
glossy wings, and crowed welcome in his We.
Ty face. When Simeon turned his steps home
ward the boys threw up their caps and ran out
shouting "Father's coming!" and little Mary
went toddling up to him with dandelion boss
ON to place in his button hole. His wife was a
woman of few words, but she sometimes said to
her neighbors, with quiet kind of satisfaction
Everybody loves my husband, that knows him.
They can't help it,"
Simeon Green's acquaintance knew that he
never was engaged in lawsuit in his life; but
they predicted that he would find it impossible
to avoid it now. They told him his next neigh
Dor was determined to quarrel with people, whe
Their thew would or not; that he was like JOIN
Libourne, of whom Judge Jenkins said, off the
world was emptied of every person but himself
Iibourne would still quarrel with John, and JohI
with Lilbourne."
as that his character?" said Simeon eff he
exercises it upon me, / will soon kill him"
/ In every neighborhood there are individuals
who like to foment disputes, not from any defln
lite intention of malice or mischief, bat merel,
because it makes little ripple of excitement il
the dull stream of life, like contest between
doors or game cocks. Such people were no
/ slow in repeating Simeon's remark about hi
wrangling neighbor. Kill me! will he?" ex
claimed Reuben. He said no more: his tightl
compressed mouth had such significant ex
preston, his dog lodged him, as he would thu
track of a tiger. That very night Reuben turn
ed his horse into the highway in hopes that h
would commit some depreciation on neighbo
Green's premises. But Joe Smith, seeing tn
animal at large, let down the bars of Reuben
own field and the poor beast walked in, and feast
ed as he had not for many year. 1t would hav
been great satisfaction to Reuben if he cou
! have brought suit against his horse; but as
was, he was obliged to content himself with pea
ting him. His next exploit was to shoot Mar!
: Green's chanticleer, because he stood on TN
stone wall and crowed in the ignorant Joy oil oil
heart. two inches beyond the frontier line tina
) hound the contiguous farms. Simeon was sol
: ~ for the DOOR bird, and sorry because his wit
, and children liked the pretty creature; but 9th
; erwise it was no great matter. He had been IT
, tending to build poultry yard with good hig
: fence that his hens might not annoy his neigf
: bors, and now he was admonished to make hast
and do it. He would build them 3 snug, war;
= ~ -<cet fhov should have Dlentv