The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-01-09
From Eliza Cooks Journal.
THE Two BROTHERS,
OR PEACE AND GOOD NEIcIBoRHooD.

doubtless have remarked the high hill, up
on which rises the village of Setback. The
path leading 10 1t from the neighborhood
meadows, is as steep as if intended to
reach the clouds, and caused the magistrate
of the place TO give it the name of Jacobs
Ladder. AT the top of the hill stood the
church, which from distance, served as
guide TO the slrayng travellers; around it
were scattered the dwellings of the inhabi-
tants, stationed on the different platforms of
the green hill, like nests in the wide branch
es of lofty cedar.
AT its foot, not far from Jacobs Ladder
wore tuo small farrns, separated by hedge
of eldertrees. The two cottages, SO exactly
resembling each other in their neatly white.
washed walls, in the matched roofs, in the
easements round which hung the honeysuck-
lie in fragrant clusters, came upon the eye as
twin sisters, so alike in garb and feature as
scarcely TO be distinguishable from each 9th
er.
In truth, both were built at the same time,
by Tom and Jones Basham; not even a
hedge divided them at first.-There was as
little separation between the houses as be-
tween the hearts Of the two brothers but
their close neighborhood soon gave rise TO
innumerable quarrels, and, at the time our
recital begins, the Bashams had long ceased
to hold any intercourse with each other
Perhaps they no longer even entertained any
20 --------r--.-haaris which
have parted in anger unconsciously become
embittered. We fill up with reproach and
censure the void which wounded affection
has left in our hearts, and by necessarily
complaining 10 ourselves of those we have
loved, we at length think we are quite right
in hating them.
| No one could tell the cause of quarrel
which, originating in some ebullition of tenn
per about some triae, and fomented by mu-
tual recrimnation, and by the injudicious in
Pfference OF third party, ended in an
pen rupture. II unfortunately happened,
ist al the time of fresh dispute arose be-
veen them about piece of ground which
ad 10 be decided by law, and though fair
md equitable division was made, both par
les left the court still more exasperated--for
il is love, not justice, that soitcns animosity
and sooihes angry feelings.
If, then, the impossibility of reconcilia-
lion between the Bashams had become, so
10 speak: thing Of public notoriety, all
those who had failed in their endeavors TO
bring it about declared the thing was hope.
less. "Had not his Worship's exhortation
been perfectly useless? Had not farmer So
kei got drunk three times in vain attempt
10 make them take glass together? Had
not even Miss Bosin herself invited the two
wives 10 her house, under pretext of teach
ing them 10 make gooseberry wine, without
icing able 10 prevail upon them to shake
hands?' But none of them seemed to re-
member that he who would reconcile friends
must make his appeal to feeling, not TO rea-
son. Divided hearts can only be reunited
by gently touching some spring of feeling
common 10 each.
Such was The state of things when the cn--
rate OF The parish arrived one day at the
dwelling of Jones Basham. He was an ex-
cellent man he had no family, but his par
ishioners were his children, and he was as
welcome 10 every house as CLEAN of sun
shine OF winter. His words were grave and
gentle, and even the rudest of his village
flock felt, he knew not why, his heart soft.
ened by visit from him. To be with him
seemed like the inhaling of purer atmos-
phere, soothing, ard cheering, and bracing.
His was, indeed, pure and undefiled reiig-
ion.
Jones Basham received the young pastor,
as he was everywhere received, with res
pectful and cordial welcome. The children
were brought to him, and as he smilingIy
spoke to them, and stroked their little heads,
stood timidly by.his side, now aud again
stealing glance at him through their long
eyelashes. Taking the eldest by the hand,
| he said--
81 have favor 10 ask of you, George"
The little one looked up in surprise.
Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, and I have
chosen you to distribute the loaves."
81, smlp exclaimed the child, crimsoning
with pleasure. #
sYes, you! come early :hatI may show
you what you are to do.n 5es 5s
The child seemed as il he longed to thank
him, but stood twIrling his cap and turning
up the gravel with his foot till his father
came to his relief by warmly expressing his
seEse of the honor.
The pastor now accompanied Jones through,
his farm, which he examined miruteiy, in
quirng into Basham' % plans, and pointing
out scversl alterations which Basham agreed
with him would be improvement but de-
clared his utter disability to carry them out.
"a hundred pounds" said he, "would be
necessary, and have not so much availa-
BILE, and, as to borrowing it, it viii set me
hard to work to meet my actual Iiabilities.p
"But the Lord has been pleased to grant
you your health, p said The pastor ], "you arc
more fortunate in this respect than your
brother Tom, who for the last month has
been far from well.p
eIs he suffering much 81 inquired Jones,
4 II