The Tiffin tribune. [volume] (Tiffin, Ohio) 1848-1859, 1857-04-10
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They'll homo again, foil laden TO ihy door
Thesirosms Of love Cow back where they BEGIN.
For springs ofoutwari joys lie deep within.
Rw. DAsA.
II is curious TO observe how mau s
spiritual state reflects itself in the people
and animals around him, nay, in the very
garments, trees and stones.
Reuben Black was an infestalion in the
neighborhood where he resided. The
very sight Of him produced effects similar
to the Hindoo magical tune. called Raug,
which is said to. bring on clouds, storms,
and earthquakes. His wife seemed lean
sharp, aud uncomfortable. The heads of
the boys had bristling aspect, as il each
individual hair stood on end with perpet.
ual fear. The COWS poked out their horns
horizontally, as soon rs he opened the
barn-yard gate. The dog dropped his
tail behind his legs, aud eyed him askance,
TO see what humor he was in. The cat
looked wild aud sosaggy, aud had been
known 70 rush straight up The chimney
when he moved toward her. Fanny
Kemble's expressive description Of the
| Pennsylvania stage horses was exactly
suited to Rsuben's poor old nag "His
hide resembled an old hair trunk" Con-
tiIual whipping and kicking had made
him such a stole, that no amount OF blows
could quicken his pace, and no chirrup-
ling could change the detected dropping
Of bis head. All his natural language
said, plainly as a horse could say Il, that
he was most unhappy beast Even the
trees on Reuben's premises had Qnarled
and knOtted appearance, The bark wept
little sickly tears Of gum and the branch
es grew awry, as il they felt the continual
disoord, and made sorry faces at each 9TH
er, behind their owners back, His fields
were red with sorrel, or run over with
mullen. Everything seemed as hard
and arid as his own visage Every day
he cursed the town and the neighbornood,
because they poisoned his dogs, and ston-
ed his hens, and shot HE cats. Contn-
usl law suits involved him in so much
expense. that he had neither time or mon
ey to spend on the improvement Of his
farm.
Against Joe Smith, poor laborer in
the neighborhood, he had brought three
suits in succession. Joe said he had re-
turned a spade he borrowed, and Reuben
swore he had not. He sued Joe, and re
covered damages, for which he ordered
the sheriff to seize his pig. Joe, in his
wrath called him an old swindler. and a |
curse to the nsighborhood. These re
marks we're soon repeated to Reuben.
He btought an action for slander, and re
covered twenty five cents. Provoked AZ
the laugh this occasioned, he watched for
Joe to pass by. aud set is big dog upon
him, screaming furiously. "Call me an
old swindler again win your" An evil
spirit is more contagious than the plague. |
Joe went home and scolded his wife, and
kicked the cat; and not one one Of them
knew what it was for.
A fortnight after, Reuben's big dog
was found dead by poison. Where
upon he brought another action against
Joe Smith, aud not being able to prove
him guilty Of the charge of dog-murder5l
he took his revenge by poisoning a pet
lamb, belonging to Mrs Smith. Thus
things went on, with mutual worriment
and loss. Joe's temper grew more aud
more vindictive, and the love of talking
over his troubles at the grog-shop ihcreas-
ed upon him. Poor Mrs. Smith cried
and said it was all owing to Reuben
Black; for better-hearted man never
lived than her Joe, when she frit married
him.
Such was the state Of things when Sim
con Green purchased the farm adjoining
Reubeu's. The estate had been much
neglected, and bad caught thistles and
mullen from the neighboring fields. But
Simeon was a dilligent man, blessed by a
nature with healthy organization and a
genial temperament; aud a wise and kind
education had aided nature in the perfec-
ton of her goodly work. His pro4ideu.
industrysoon changed the aspect Of things
on the farm, River-mud, autumn leaves
old shoes, and old bones, were all put in
requisition 10 assist in the production of
use and beautyi The trees, with branch
es,pruned, and bark scraped free from
moss and insects, soon looked clean and
vigorous. Fields of grain waved where
weeds had rioted. Persian lilacs bowed
gracefullyover the simple gateway. Mich
igan roses covered half the house with
their abundant clusters. Even the rough
rock which formed the doorstep, was
edged with golden moss. The sleek
horse. feeding in. clover, tossed his name
and neighed when his master came near
as much as 10 say, pThe world is all the
pleasauter for having you in it, Simeon
Greenl' The old COW, fonding her calf
under the great walnut tree, walked up
to him with serious friendly face, asking
for the slice Of sugar beet he was wont TO
give her. Chandelier, strutting about
with his troop OF plump hens and downy
little chickens, took no trouble 10 keep
out Of bis way. but Tapped his glossy
wings, aud crowed welcome iu his very
face When Simeon turued bis steps
home the boys threw up their caps
and ran out shouting, Father comingl
and little Mary went toddling up 10 him..
with dandelion blossom TO place in his
button hole. His wife was a woman Of
] few words, but she sometimes said TO her
nsighbors. with quiet kind Of saIisfac-
/ ton, Everybody loves my husband that
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