The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-04-03

From that moment he hatei Mr. Gray in
his heart, and wished HIM all manner ol
evil. But for all this, Tompkins didn't feel
very comfortable in mind about the harsh
sentence which he was very certain Mr..
Gray had heard. Talk as freely rs no would,
behind his neighbor's back, he was not
quite prepared to denounce him to his face
and for this reason, if for mono other-he
could show no other cause for his animosity.
The farm was in market, and his new neigh
bor had as good right to purchase as any
bldy clsc. It was not AZ I'll probable that
!, Mr.. Gray knew anything about his previous
negotiations; and even if he had, there was
no reason WIZ he should not purchase II IN
offer Of the farm were made to him.
Compelled, now to look at the affair. rs il
looking upon it With other peoples eyes,
TOmpkins was not able to justify himself in
the unkind attitude he had taken, lmag-
nation had brought him face to face with
the incensed Mr.. Gray, who said to him
in stern, demanding voice:
"what is the meaning Of this language ?
What have done, that you dctest me, wish
me thousand miles away from Splinter
ville?"
In vain did farmer Tompkins seek to
frame some reply in his t,oughts tha' would
have the appearance of justification. 1t
would not answer to refuse giving any rca-
son for his conduct; for that would place
him in the light of mere traduccr Of his
neighbor without cause. Nor would it do
to state the true reason; for that was one
which, however valid in his own eyes could
hardly appear so in the eyes Of anybody
else.
Farmer Tompkins was in something OF
quandary. He had brought himself'into
rather humiliating relation to this new
ncighbor; and the more he thought about
it, the less clearly did he SEQ himself honora.
bly, out of his trouble.
But Tompkins was not the man to hum
bic himself, to use his own language, to any
one, by acknowledging that he had done
wrong, no matter how sharp were his con-
victions ON the subject. And Of all men in
the world, Mr.. Gray was the last to whom
he would make humiliating acknowledge
ments. lie hated him and despised him the
more, now he felt himself something IN his
power And he deierUined TO brave it out.
If neighbor Gray called upon him for an ex-
planation, he would insult him to his face.
On the next morning Tompkins had oc-
c.sion to visit the blacksmith s shop again.
"what did that Gray have to say about
me yesterday ?' he asked of Peter Creig, in
his most abrupt. ill.naturcd manner.
"lle didn't mention your name," replied
the blacksmith.
The farmer looked surprised.
ale must have heard me-"
IL rather think he did, said the black
smith.
And didn't say any nythingT
"Not about you"
Farmer Tompkins was puzzled and disap-
pointed. Much us he hated and affected to
despise Mr.. Gray, he felt nervous about the
effect produced upon hun by the harsh words
he had spoken and he had hoped to get
Il
some clue thereto from the blacksmith.
A few hours later in the day, as he was
riding away from home. he saw his new
neishbor approaching along the road not far
distant. Obcying the first impulse Of his
mind, he turned his horses head, and struck
of into narrow lane that took him nearly
mile out of his way. In consequence, he
was too late for an appointment at which
some important, business was to be done,
and lost an expected advantage.
Il wish tins Gray had been in tho Dead
Sea before he thought of coming to Splin-
teryille," was his angry ejaculation, when
on arriving at the appointed place he found
the business closed, and al the benefit, he
had hoped to gain, forever beyond his reach.
Just as farmer Tompkins, on returning
from this fruitless ride, came in sight Of his
house, he saw Gray leaving the house. lie
rubbcd his eyes, and looked again. Yes 1t
was even 80. Mr.. Gray was passing thro'
tho cate and now was moving down the
road in the direction Of his own home
Tompkins slaekened the speed OF his horse
80 that he might not come too fully IN view
until Mr.. Gray reached bend in the road,
around which he passed out oIsight.
What did that fellow want?' he asked
sharply, If his wife, on reaching home.
"or whom arc you speak.ngT she en-
quired.
"why. Gray confound him ~
"He merely asked for yOu,' replied the
wife.
"Did he say that he would call again =
l "No."
"IIumph?" Farmer Tompkins was wor-
ried. Ii was plain that Mr.. Gray was not
a nan to be assiilcd and traduced without
callin: his traducer to an account. 81 lar
as vitupcration was concerned, farmer TomP-
kins found that an easy mattcr-it came US
"na,ural as eating" But the thought Of
being called to an account-of being asked
for explana,ious-of being required to give
reasons for the language he had seen proper
to use was very ar from being agreeable.
All that afternoon, iarmer Tompkins was
in hourly dread of another visit from his
new neighbor Gray. Every sound OF ap-
preaching feet, or sudden call or noise oil
the shutting gate, caused him to start, or
look up from his work. He was provok ed
with himself for all this; hut, for his life,
could not help it. A little while before
sundown no came over from the barn to get
| .l..- l-o... 49,, kn,,s. A ha cam, m