The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1854-03-09

i quarreling, but they occasionally made
positive advances toward friendly re
latiou. Simeon's wife sent Mrs. Blacl
large basket full of very fine plums
Pleased with the unexpected attention,
she cordially replied, " Tell your moth.
er it was very kind Of her, and l am
very much obliged to her." Reuben
who sat smoking in the chimney corner
listened to this message for once without
any impatience, except whiting the
smoke through his pipe little faster
and fercer than usual. But when the
boy was going out of the door, and the
friendly words were repeated, he ex.
claimed, "Don't make a fool of your.
self, Peg. They want to give US hint
to send basket of our pears, that's the
upshot of the business You may send
them basket, when they are ripe; for
l scorn to be under obligation, espec-
tally to your smooth tongued folks"
Poor Peggy, whose heart had been for
the moment refreshed by little act of
kindness, admitted. distrust into her
bosom, and all the pleasure she had felt
on receiving her neighbor's present de-
parted.
Not long after this advrnce toward
good neighborhood, some laborers en-
Iployed by Simeon Green, passing over
a bit Of marshy ground, with a heavy
team, stuck fast in bog occasioned by
long continued rain. The poor oxen
were unable to extricate themselves,
and Simeon ventured to ask assistance
from his waspish neighbor, who was
working at short distance. Reuben
replied gruffiy, I've 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 a few
minucts being answered in this surly
tone Simeon silently walked off, in
search Of more obliging neighbor.
The men who had been left waiting
with the patient and suffering oxen
scolded about Rcuben's ill nature when
Simeon came back to them, and said
they hoped Reuben would get stuck in
the same bog himself. Their employer
" If he should, We will do our
duty and help him out" "There is
such thing as being too good naturcd, ~
said they. "If Reuben Black takes
the notion that people are afraid of him,
it makes him trample on them worse
than ever"
ooh, wait a while," replied Green,
smiling, " | will kill him before long.
Wait and sec if l do not kill him."
1t Glanced soon after, that Reuben,s
team did stick fast in the same bog, as
the workmen had wished. Simeon no.
ticed it from noighboring field, and
gave directions that the oxen and chains
should immcdiatly conveyed to his as.
sistance. The men laughed, shook
their heads, and talked about the old
hornet. They, however, chcerfully
proceeded to do rs their employer re-
quested. "You are in bad situation,
said Simeon, as he came
along side the foundered team "butI
my men are coming with two yoke of
oxen, and l think we shall soon man
age to help you out"
You may take your oxen back
again." replied Reuben quickly; 81
want none Of your help" In very
friendly tone Simeon angwered, 81
cannot consent to do that, for evening
is coming on, and you have very lit
tie time to lose. 1t is a bad job at any
time, but it will..be still worse in the
lark" " Light or dark, 1 do not ask
your help" replied Reuben cmphatical-
y. 81 would not help you out of the
ohg the other day when you asked me-"
The trouble l had In relieving my
,oor oxen teaches me to feel for othere
a the same situation. Do not let us
waste words about it, neighbor. 1t is
for me to 60 home and leave
Iou here in the bog, andnight CON-
ng on"
The team was soon drawn out, aud
Simeon and bis men went away, with
,ut waiting for thanks When Reuben
vent home that night, he was unusually
After smoking awhile in
deep contemplation, be gently knocked