Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-09-01

i
Gray, who said to him, in stern, de.
manding voice:
What is the meaning of this Ian
guage? What have | done. that you
detest me. and wish me a thousand
miles away from Splinteryille?'
In vain did farmer Tompkins seek
to frame some reply in his thoughts
that would have the appearance fjus-
tifcation. i. would not answer to re-
fuse giving any reason for his conduct;
for that would place him in the light
Of mere traducer 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. ia
Farmer Tompkins was in some
thing Of quandary. He had brought
himself into rather a humiliating re-
lation to this new neighbor; and the
more he thought about it, the less
clearly did he see himself honorably
out of his trouble.
But Tompkins was not the man to
humble HIMSELF to use his own
words, to any one, by acknowledging
that he had done wrong, no matter
how sharp were his own convictions
on the subject. And of all men in the
world, Mr.. Gray was the last to whom
he would make humiliating acknowl-
edgments. He hated and despised
him the more now that he felt himself
something in his power. And he de-
termincd to brave it out. Ii neighbor
Gray called upon him for explana-
tions, he would insult him to his face.
On the next morning Tompkins had
occasion to visit the blacksmith's
shop again.
what did that Gray have to say
about me yesterday he asked of Pc
ter Craig, in his most abrupt, ill-na-
tured malner.
He didn't mention your name,' re-
piled the blacksmith.
The farmer looked surprised.
He must have heard me-
Il rather think he did, said the
blacksmith.
And didn't say any thing at alp
Not about you
Farmer Tompkins was puzzled and
disappointed. Much as he hated, and
affected to despise Mr.. Gray, he felt
nervous about the effect produced up
on him by the harsh words he had
spoken; and he had hoped to get some
clue thereto from the blacksmith.
A few hours later in the day, as he
was riding away from home, he saw
his neighbor approaching along the
road not far distant. Obeying the
first impulse of his mind. he turned
his horses head, and struck off 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 advan-
tage.
i wish this Gray had been in the
Dead Sea before he thought of coming
to Splinterville,' was his angry eacu-
lation, when, on arriving at the ap-
pointed place, he found the business
closed, and all the benefit he had ho-
ped to gain for ever beyond his reach.
Just as farmer Tompkins, on re-
turning from his fruitless ride, came
in sight of home. he saw Mr.. Gray
leaving the house. He rubbed his
eyes, and looked again. Yes; it was
even so. Mr.. Gray was passing
through the gate; and now was NOV
ing down the road in the direction of
his own home. Tompkins slackened
the speed of his horse so that he might
not come too fully in view until Mr..
Gray reached bend in the road,
around which he passed out of sight.
What did that fellow want?' he
asked. sharply. of his wife, ON reach
ing home.
'Of whom are you speaking?' she
inquired.
why of Gray; confound him!'
lie merely asked for you.' replied
the wife.
Did he say that he would call
again.
No
'Humph!' Farmer Tompkins was
worried. 1t was plain that Mr.. Gray
was not a man to be assailed and ira
duced without calling his traducer to
an account. So far as vituperation
was concerned, farmer Tompkins
J found that an easy matter-it came as
natural as eating But the thought
of being called to an account-of be-
ing asked for explanations-of being
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