Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-06-20
s ELE G. I TALE.
THE RIGHT OF WAY.
BY T. s ARTHUR.

ing 10 buy, nc had observed light wagon
moving along on the extreme south edge OF
the tract of land included in the farm, but it
had occasioned no remark. 1t was late in
the afternoon when he arrived with his fam
lily at their new home. On the morning that
followed, while MIR. Bolton stood conversug
with farm hand who had been on the place
under the former owner, he observed the
same vehicle passing across the portion of
his land referred TO.
Whose wagon is that Ben 2 he asked in
the tone Of a man who felt that another had
trespassed upon his rights.
at is MIR. Halpins,' was replied.
'Hapln, who owns the next farm g
Yes, SIR
'He takes liberty with my premises that
l would not like TO take with his said Mr.
Bolton. who was annoved bv the circum-
stance. And shere he is himself, as live
Riding along over nv ground as cooIy as if
IL belonged to him. Verify, some men have
the impudence of old Nick himselfr
They always go by that road replied
Ben. AT least, it has been so ever since |
have worked on the farm. think once
heard Mr.. Jenkins, from whom YOU bought,
cell somebody that Mr.. Halpin's farm had the
right of way across this one.'
The right OF way across my farm = ex-
ciaimed Mr. Bolton with strongly marked
surprise. well see about that Come =
Go with me. want 10 take look al that
part OF my forty acres
And Mr.. Bolton strobe off, accompanied
Ivy Ben, TO take more particular note of the
extreme edge Of his beautiful tract of land
The shape OF this tract was somewhat in the
form OF a triangle with the apex at the south
ern boundary, near the verge of which ran a
stream ofwater. Beyond this stream was a
narrow strip of ground, some thirty feet wide
bounded by the fence enclosing the land be-
longing TO another owner. It's length was
not more than two hundred feet. Ii was
along this STRIP Of ground that Mr.. Bolton
had observed The wagon of Mr. Ilalpin -
Tie gate opening upon his premises was at
one end, aud now, for the first time, lie dis
covered that there was gate at the other
end, opening from his farm to that of Mr.
HalpIn-while the ground was cut up with
numerous wheel-tracks.
Upon my word, this is all very fine. said
Mr.. Bolton. The right of way across nv
farm. Wen see about that. Ben, do you
get four good rails and put them firmly into
The gate posts on Mr. Halpin's side Throw
the gate over into his field /"
Ben looked confounded AT this order.
DO you understand me ? said Mr. Bolton
Yes, sir. But
But what p
There's no other way for Mr.. Halpins
folks 10 get to the public road
That's uoae of my business. They've no
right to uake public highway of these
premises. You heard what | said
Yes, sir
Then let it be doue.'
al 4 ..
tered Ben,as Mr.. Bolton turned and marched
away with long and hasry strides. But, if
there isn't nice tea party some where about
these digglns before tomorrow morning, my
name isn't Ben Johnson
Before reaching his house, MIR. Bottoms
excitement had cooled a trife, and it came
into his mind that, possibly he might have
acted a little hastily. Bet, the order had
been given 10 cut of the right of way, and
he was not the man TO make back tracks in
any thing.
DO you see that, Edward 2 said Mrs. Boil
ton, as her husband entered the house, point
ing to the table ON which stood pitcher Of
sweet cream and two pounds OF fresh butter.
Mrs. Halpn sent these over, with her COM
pliments, this morning. Isn't it kind in herr?
Mrs. Bottoms countenance was glowing
with pleasure.
Il always heard that she was neiehborly
good woman added Mrs. B.
Il don't think much of her husband, re-
turned Mr.. Bolton coldly as he passed from
the room after paIIsng there for only mo-
ment. He could not look at the Jumps of
golden butter and the pitcher of cream, with
out feeling rebuked, aud 50 he got away as
quickly as possible.
Have you done as directed 2 asked Mr..
Bolton, with knit brows, on meeting Ben,
some time afterwards, returning from the
part Of the farm where he had left him.
Yes, sir was the answer ot Ben.
'What did you do with the gate?'
Il threw it into the field, as you told me-
You didn't break il Z?
No, SIR
very WE'LL
'Therell be trouble, MIR. Bolton said Ben.
How do you know ?
'Mr. Halpin Is a very determined man.
so am L. replied Mr. Bolton.
Mr.. Dix says the righ, Of way belongs to
Mr. HaIpin. and no mistake
when did he say so? j?
Just now. He came down from his house
when he saw Inc at work, and asked what
was doing when | told him, he said you
were wrong, and would only get yourself in
to trouble. That Mr.. Haipin's farm had the
right of way through yours
Tell MIR. Dix, when you see him again not
TO meddle in my affairs, replied Mr.. Bolton.
Il am entirely competent 10 manage them
myself l want no assistance
AS Mr.. Bolton turned from Ben, on utter
ing ,h's speech, he saw Mr.. Dix, who owned
another iarm that adjeined his, approaching
the place where he stood.
81 want none of his in,art,.o... ....,,..-.J
Bolton to himself Then forcing a smile in i.
to his face, he met his ne,ghbor with Meas.
ant greeting. 0aea
you will excuse me- said MIR. Dix. after
a few words had passed between them for n
liberty am about to take. | saw your man.
little while ago, closing up the gate tha,
opens from your farm into Mr.. Halpn's.'
sWellr Mr.. Bottoms brows contracted
heavily.
Are you aware that his farm has the righ
OF way through yoursf 2
NO, SIR eiarc
Such, however, let me assure you, is th'
case. Mr.. Halphin has no other avenue Il
the public road.'
'lhafs his misfortune but, il gives hin
no Incense 10 trespass on my property. e7'.
Ut Is not trespass, MIR. Bolton. He onlI
uses right purchased when he bought hi,
farm, and one that he can and will sustain il
the courts against you.'
Let him 60 to court, then. bought ;bi
farm for my own private use not as a high
way. No such qualification is embraced j,
the deed. The land is mine, and no on
shall trespass upon IT,.