The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1857-08-05
MISCELLANEOUS.
How Uncle James Got along with
his Neighbors.

How Uncle James Got along with
his Neighbors.
Not many years since a person from
the land ofsteady habits, strayed into the
region Of Princes Bay, and purchased
ine residence near the water he was
Enthusiastically austere, penurious and
unneighborly his lands we're SO situated
that the oysterman had to pass across
them to rearh their boats, for which he
exscted toll Of each man; he had control
over the waters of tho creek, where it
was necessary they should plant them to
fat and fresbsn for this privilege each
man was made TO pay SO much per bush
el, or forcgo the privilege. This exac-
ting spirit Of the man soon. excited the
hatred of the oystermen-they turned
the 'ables on him, and annoyed him in
every way their ingenuity could invent.
% feturning at night from town. he
would often find the draw OF the bridge
swung aside, or something the matter
with the gate so that he could not get 10.
In a word Mr.. Tite Barnacle was finally
obliged to sell out and leave to got rid
of his uncomfortable ueighbors, whom by
his own pettishness and illiberality he
had melted to retaliation.
This place was purchased by kindly
old gentleman whom we shall call as
every body else did, Uncle James he had
been lops familiar with q seafaring life
and he knew the character of the men
with whom he had to deal. He was not
long settled in the place before delegs.
tion Of oysterman waited upon him he
received them as one neighbor should an.
other. in friendly manner. They had
called to say that they wished TO lay
their oysters in his creek, and wished to
know how much be would charge them
for the privilege. II wish to be neigh
borly, and to have good neighbors around
Rs," said Uncle James, "and shall not
disagree with you ; plant your oysters
there, and welcome, and give mo what
you think it is worth"
"But," say they, I'VE would like to pass
across your land, from our house to the
shore, it is nearer, what shall we pay
you :"
Put the bars up as you 60 along, and
when you see the cattle in, drive them
out said Uncle James, "that is all / ask"
They took drink Of apple;jack and
parted. From time to time bushel of
the finest oysters would be set down at
Uucle James door, and be would hardly
know who had committed the depreda.
tiou. The year passed away, and there
was no complaint to make of any un.
neighborly conduct on either side. They
met for a settlement at Uucle James
house, the apple-jack was brought out,
and all took smile after which the
question was again put by the oystsrman.
"How much shall we pay you, Uncle
James, for the use Of the creek ?"
"If it has been of any benefit to you,"
replied the old man, 'you can each give
me what you can afford" ..-
One put down ten dollars, another
twenty some more some less, until near
ly five hundred dollars were Voluntarily
paid which was more than double the
sum which Tite Barnacle extorted by
menace and meanness from the same men
The person who related these facts to
us closed the story by saying :--"If you
wish to get along with the Princes Bay
oystermep, you must say-,P pusseyl
but never say scat y bitch 7 If you do
their fire will bo uo at once"