The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-04-03
Mistrllanruu5.
rso~ Moors's Rayai New Yorker.
Neighb 7 Gray.
BY T. $. ARTHUR.

Have YOU met our new neishbOr Gray.
friend Tompkins?'' inquired one farmer of
another. They were ut Peter Craig's black
smith shop.
"No, and what's more, don't want to
NEE; him. was abruptly answered.
Don't want to meet him -
"No I've said just what | mean," re-
Piled Tompkins, ill-naturcdly. al don't
want to meet him or have anything to do
with him."
you'll change your mind, l think, said
the blacksmith.
"Will II" A snecr curled the lip Of
farmer TOmpkins.
"Yes, and before Mr.. Gray is two months
in Splintcrvillc, replied Peter Crcig. "Bat
pray tell us what you have against cur new
neighbour"
"Oh; nothing very particular, only l
don't like him."
There is one thing to be said in his favor"
remarked the blaeksmiih-''hc keeps good
stock
"Humph no better than is to be found
in the neishborhoOd," said Tompkins.-
"Not better, in fact. than have"
IL am no, sure Of that" returned Peter
Creis. "I put shoes on his carriage horses
yesterday, and, if I'm any judge, their
match is MT within ten miles of these parts.
No, no, friend Tompkins-you haven't the
horse-Ilesh on your sixty pcres that will COM
pare with neighbor Gray's."
"Bah! ighbor Gnys! Nobody's got
anything, from patent pitchiork. up to n
thrcshins machine thl, will compare with
ncighbOr Gny's, II makes me downrich,
angry To hear people talk after this fashion.
Who's Mr.. Gray, I'd like to know
"Ile gentleman" said the blacksmith,
little warmly.
Gentleman ~ Tompkius spoke with u
bitter sncer. III hate gentlemen"
"The gentleman is the only true man. re-
marked Peter Creig.
"of course-kld gloves, cllfskin, broad
cloth and beaver, arc everything; and the
individual nothing"
"Not 50 fast, friend Tompkins; not so
fast. II is the heart that makes the gentle
man"
"Ifthat Is the case, don't think there Is
much chance for your new neighbor. But
gentleman, or no gentleman, l detest this
Gray from the bottom ofmy heart, and wish
no were thousand miles away from Splin-
teryille."
rs Tompkins closed this sentence, in a
pretty loud tone voice, his ear caught the
SCUM. Oft footstcp, and turning quickly,
hcslW Mr.. Gray approaching through the
shop, having entered by the opposite door
fr om the one near which the little group OF
men were standing. lie was near enough
TO have heard the closing sentence; and,
from the expression Of his counteuance, 1t
was pretty evident that its meaning was un-
derstood.
The moment Tomrkins saw him, his face
erimsoned, and turning OF abruptly, he
strobe away. As he did 80, he thought he
heard the voice OF Mr.. Gray calling after
him. But he had no, the manllncss to stop
AMI meet face to face the individual whose
name he had used 50 freely.
An ill.natured, jcilous-mindSi, unhappy
kind ofa man was this TOmpkins You
will find his counterpart in almost every
nclghborho d. Mr.. Gray, towards whom
he cherished such unkind feelings, bad
bought. some months before, the farm that
Immediately adjoined his; aud, a few weeks
previously; taken formal possession. Now,
rompkins wanted this farm, and had been
for some time. cnde Soring tn strike bar
gain with its previous owner, when Mr..
GRAY. seclng the property advertised for sale,
complied with the terms, and tecame the
purchaser. Tompkins wished to exchange
his farm ior the other, and give notes for the
diff in price; and although the owner
had two OF three times declined his offer. he
was still in hope ofmaking the arrangement,
when Mr.. Gray dashed all his hopes to the
ground.