Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-01-22
THE TREE OF STRIFE AND
THE TREE OF PEACE.
CHAPTER I.

| An that was q noble tree that stood in tbt
line of fence that divided the farms OF Nose
Baker and Josiah Benton, in the town o
BinfOrd, Conn. A giant oak that lifted i:s
broad head to the Heavens, and nightly whis
pered the secrets of the earth to the stars
while within its brawny arms the timid squir-
rsls found home, and from benssth it's thick
green leaves, whole troops CT winged mini
strels poured forth their Jubilats Dec, until
the whole atmosphere quiVered with the glad
burst OF thankSgiviDg. aa'
And yet they needed it not-th they heard il
not-thOse two angry, passionate men, who
dared to stand beneath its shade on that
bright summer day, and make the possession
| of it = subject of strife and bitterness Alas,
they heard nothing but the angry beatinss of
their own selfish hsarts
:" Cut it if you dare = cried the elder OF
the two, bis voice trembling with rage.
'' | certainly shall dare" was the angry re-
ply. "you know well enough that the tree
stOSd some feet on my side until I was so fool
ish az to move the fence to accommodate you
with water for your cattle. But the fence
shall be put back before another twenty four
hours, and then water your cattle where you
can"
+" Cat that tree er4alter shat fence one inch,
and I'll straighten you if there is law 10 Con-
nectieut," replied Baker " You have failed
to keep me under warning, and l can hold the
tree and watering place by possession" he con-
tinued with triumphant smile. " And there
is another thing you will make your part
of the fence through Dou Loot At Snce, or
I'll make you trouble-that's ALL"
Umph shall build the fence when I've
3 mind to, and not q minute before for all the
Moses Bakers this side Of Canada" was the
provoking reply.
You'll build when you have mind to,
will yOu 2" cried the infuriated Baker. g Well
see ab0ut that, rather guess you viii have
mind to pretty quick, if you have me to deal
with"
Perhaps Bos-though I had rather deal
With the devil any time"
Quiek as thought Baker caught rail from
the fence and raised it to strike, bat bis aim
was diverted bya young girl, who came
.Spriuging over the fence and caught his arm,
while she cried in tsrror-"F Father, father, for
merey's sake don't strike uncle Sire! In his
rage the cid man attempted to push her
roughly back, but she Rveided bis grasp and
spraDg directly between them, while Sire Ben
ton said tAuntinRly, I" for shame, Msses Ba-
ker! Would you prove nay words true? II
yen want to strike any ene, strike nae. 1t is
all ask"
Perhaps that angry man would not have
waited for second invitation, but the slight
form Of his only child stood between him and
the object Of his fury, and there was some
thing in the expression Of Der pure, ysung
face, that restrained him. he was man of
tso coarse feelings and passionate temper to
suffer very deeply from a sense of degradation
IN the eyes Of his child, bat something Of this
be did feel, and while it restrained bis hands it
Alss increased his irritation. He angrily bsde
her " &c home and keep at home" -...-..f
al came to call you to dinner, father, she
said, while she fingered as if fearful Of another
outbreak ~
60 hone l say. There's 40 use of letter
ing here all day If yeu did, he said sternly
while be east a glance towards Beaten, whe
had withdrawn to The boIc of the disputed
tree. and stood cOSlly ReasHring its cireum-
ferenes with string which he had Withdrawn
IRON his pocket then with a multsred f" let
him do it ifhe dare" be followed her with has
y strides.
These msn were cousins. Their houses
Rteod scarcely the distance Of an arrows
Hight from each other, and frsn the first set
tlsment Of .he place their fathers had dwels
there, aud had filed up the measure OF their
days with many acts Of neighborly kindness
aRd leve. True, the Bakers and the Bentoas
were somewhat noted for their hasty tempers,
and clouds would sometimes arise, but they
never became 81 fearful that the clear eiees
Of the mothers could not be heard calling to
each other from their kitchen doors, with some
friendly inquiry after The cheese or web, or SO
dark as 10 hide from the bright eyes Of The
children tho weil-beaten foot-path that led
acrsss the meadow between their dwellings.
along which they constantly passed and re
passed in spite OF wind and weather ...
CAT times little brawl
Injuries not at all
II we only love each other still,
sing6,h Swedish poet bnt, ah how can a
pure aAd nOble lsve develop itself in the SIT
fling atmosphere OF brawls? Who does nol
know that a little brawl il il be INDUCED,
soon fieth The whole house and heart, and
then, alas for love. Besides, like marrying
into certain families, if yen take enc you take
the whole tribe, and their name is legion.