Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-03-18

such unexpected courtesy, the friendly natfon
thanked him, and invited him to sit down.
But he stood playing with the latch Of the
door, and without raising his eyes, said,
May be Mr. Green isn't in this morning :"
'He is at the pump, and he will be in direct
! ly, she replied and before her words were
spoken, the honest man walked in with face
as fresh and bright as a June morning. He
stepped right up to Reuben, shook his hand
cordially, and said - | am glad to see you
neighbor. Take a charitable a chair"
! "Thank you, can't stop" replied Reuben.
! He pushed his hat on one side, rubbed his
head, looked out Of the window, and then
said suddenly, as IL by desperate effort:
The fact is, Mr.. Green, didn't behave
right about the oxen"
Never mind, never mind" replied Mr.
Green. A" Perhaps l shall get into the bog
again, some Of these rainy days. II do l
shall know who u call upon
"Why, you see said Reuben, still very
much confused, and avoiding Smeons mild,
clear eye, you see the neighbors here are
very ugly. If had always lived by such
neighbors as you are, shouldn't be just as
am"
"Ah, well, we must try to be to others
what we want them to be to u.s." rejoined
Simeon. You know the good book says so.
| have learned by experience. that IL we speak
kind words. We hear kind echoes II we try
to make others happy, it ils them with wish
to make others happy. Perhaps you and
can bring the neighbors round in time. Who
knows i-let us rry. Come and look at my
orchard. want to show you a tree which
have grated with very choice apples. If you
like, will procure you some scions nom the
same stock f"
srt, ~ Al.
/ friendly chat soon put Reuben at his ease
| When he returned home, he made no remarks
about his visit; for he could not, as yet, sum-
mon sufficient greatness Of soul to tell his wife
that he had confessed himself in the wrong
A gun stood behind the kitchen door, in read
mess to shoot Mr.. Green's dog for having
barked at his horse. He now fred the con-
tents into the air. and put the gun away into
the barn, From that day henceforth he new
err sought for any pretext to quarrel with the
dog or his master. A short time after, Joe
Smith, to his utter astonishment, saw him
pat Tower on the head, and heard him say,
" Good fellow -
Simeon Green was too magnanimous to re-
peat to any that his quarrelsome neighbor
had confessed himself to blame. He merely
smiled as he said to his wife, " | thought we
should kill him after awhile"
Joe Smith did not believe in such doctrines
When he heard of the adventures in the
/ harsh he said
q Sim Green's fool When he frat came
here, he talked very big about killing folks,
if they did not mind their P's and as But
he don't appear to have as much spirit as
worm for a worm will turn when it is trod
upon"
Poor Joe had grown incorporate and more
quarrelsome, till at last nobody would employ
him. About year after the memorable incl
dent of the watermelon, some one stole
eral valuable hides from Mr.. Green. He did
not mention the circumstance to any one but
his wife; and they both had reason for sus-
pecting that Joe was the thief. The next
week the following anonymous advertisement
appeared in the newspaper Of the country -
Whoever stole lot Of hides on Friday
night, the 9th of the present month, is hereby
informed that the owner has a sincere wish
to be his friend. If poverty tempted him to
this false step, the owner will keep the whole
transaction secret, and will gladly put him
in the way of obtaining money by means more
likely to bring him peace of mind
This singular advertisement of course ex-
cited a good deal of remark There WAS much
debate whether or not the thief would avail
I
would be greenhorn If he did ; for it was
manifestly trap to catch him. But he who
had committed the dishonest deed alone knew
whence that benevolent offer came and he
knew that Simeon Green was not man to
set traps for his fellow creatures"
few nights afterwards, timd knock was
heard at Simeon's door, just as the family
were retiring to rest. When the door was
opened, Joe Smith was seen on the steps with
load of hides on his shoulders. Without
raising his eyes, ne said in low, humble
tone
4" | have brought them back, Mr.. Green.
Where shall put themi"
:" Wal a moment till can light lantern,
and | will 60 to the barn with you he re-
piled Then you will come in and tell me
how it happened We will see what can DO
done for YOU
Mrs. Green knew that Joe often went hun
cry, and had become accustomed to the slim
uus Of rum. She therefore FASTENED to make
hot coffee, and brought from the closet some
cold meat and pie.
When they returned from the barn, she
said
al thought you might feel better for little
warm supper, neigbbor Smith
Joe turned his back toward her, and did
not speak. He leaned his head against the
chimney, and after moments silence, he
said in checked voice
at is the first time ! ever stole anything,
and | have felt very bad about it. l don't
know how it is. didn't think once should
ever come to be what | sm. But | took to
quarreling, and then to drinking Since be-
gan to go downhill, everybody gives me a
kick. You are the first man that has offered
me helping hand. My wife is feeble, and
my children starving You have sent them
many meal God bless you, and yet / stole
the hides from you, meaning to sell them the
first chance | could get. But tell you, Mr..
Green it is the first time | ever deserved the
name of THE"
"Let it be the last, my friend, said Sine
on, pressing his hand kindly. 1.-The secret
shall remain between ourselves. You are
young, and can make up lost time. Come,
now, give me promise that you will not
drink one drop of intoxicating liquor for a
year, and | will employ you tomorrow, at
good wages. Mary will see to your family
early in the morning, and perhaps you may
find some employment for them also. The
little boy can at least pick up stones. But
eat bit now, and drink some hot coffee. 1t