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


tered, Tompkins used his name in con
nection with pretty harsh language
Not seeming to notice this. Mr.. Gray
came forward, and offering his hand
to Mr.. Tompkins. said very kindly
How is your little daughter this
morning? | hope she is very much
better?'
She is better, / thank you;' replied
Tompkins, almost stammering out the
words, at the same time that he al
lowed Mr.. Gray to take his hand and
shake it, pretty much as he would
have shaken stick.
Il hope continued Mr.. Gray, that
our friend the blacksmith hasn't done
anything wrong in laying aside your
work to do mine. IL so, pray you to
let all the blame fall upon my shoul-
ders. We were so unfortunate as to
break our wagon-tire, and all our
work was at stand still until it was
mendcd. 1t was one of those emer-
gencies in which all neighbors are
ready to accommodate each other, even
at the cost of a little inconvenience.
Now, farmer Tompkins hardly ex-
pected a greeting like this, and was
considerably aback, as the sailors say.
The kind inquiry after Maggy-the re-
membrance of Mrs. Gray's thoughtful
attention to the sick child-and more
particularly, the open, frank, friendly
manner in which Mr.. Gray spoke, all
had the effect to disarm him. He
wanted to repel the new neighbor-to
speak out his mind to him-to let
him see something of the antagonism
that was in his heart. But the cor
Dial good nature, and kind, gentle
manly bearing of Mr. Gray were too
much for him, and thawed the feel
ings faster than determined i'll ma
ture could freeze the surface.
i called over yesterday afternoon,
continued Mr.. Gray, ito mention what
| had done; and ask if it would put
you TO any inconvenience. And in
tended to speak to you about a matter
which | will mention now. 1t is
this
And he drew farmer Tompkins
aside, in order that he might talk with
him alone.
Il find he continued, in having the
searches made for the purpose of fix
ing true title to the farm just bought,
and which adjoins yours, that there
has been a clear mistake In running
the boundary between your farm and
mine-a mistake that included at least
five acres of that fine meadow land to
the west of your barn.
Il don't believe word of it.! ex-
claimed farmer Tompkins, firing up,
and looking the picture of angry in
dignation. My title-deeds call for
sixty acres, and sixty acres / mean to
hold, if law for it until doomsday!
Gently, gently, neighbor Tomp-
kins, replied Mr.. Gray. There need
be no trouble about the matter. We
don't need any law to settle business
like this. A compromise, where both
parties desire to do right. is the cas-
lest thing in the world. You will find
me very reasonable
It's more than you will find me,
then, Mr.. Gray, if you attempt to get
five acres of my meadow land. | can
tell you that, in the beginning
Il don't want foot of your land,
said Mr. Gray.
what then do you want?' demand
ed the exasperated farmer.
Simply to do right, was the calm
reply. i find that l am considers-
bly, over on your line, and the amount
of land inclose which really belongs
to you, is about five acres
Farmer Tompkins started, looked
confused, and flushed to deeper Grim
son.
Il requested" continued Mr. Gray,
my conveyancer to go carefully
over the matter again and make
his report. which was done yes
terday. He says there is no doubt
about the matter. l am over the line
considerably. Now, what | wish to
say is this: / will buy these five
acres at hundred dollars an acre, if
you are inclined to sell; if not, | will
have my fence removed to the true
line, which surveyor can determine
We need not hardly say that Tompkins
was completely disarmed. If thun-
derbolt had fallen at his feet he could
not have been more surprised. A mo-
ment or two he stood in bewilderment
of mind; then reaching out his hand to
Mr.. Gray. he said:
Il am rebuked Have it your own
way. Let the fence stand where it is,
and keep the land if you choose
shall still be as we'll off as | thought
myself an hour ago
Right is right, friend Tompkins,
replied Mr.. Gray. so if you will
walk over to my house, we win settle
this business at once. | prefer keep
inc the land and paying Tor 1t the
price mentioned
1t is yours at any price answered
Mr.. Tompkins. After few moments
of silence. he added: i was your enc
my, Mr. Gray-your enemy, now
see. without a cause. You have dis
armed me in the first encounter Let
us now be friends
And he reached forth his hand, which
was warmly grasped by the new
neighbor.
After that. farmer Tompkins was a
different man. Mr.. Gray proved a
true friend, for, both by example and
precept. he taught him better and
happier way in the world, and he