The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-11-02
es, rcproof, although hi. temper was hard.

ly 10 be borne-as wo all shall SEQ.
II frequently happened in the spring oi
the year, the stream which formed tho wa
ter.power ofJoseph's mill, became 20 swol.
len with freshcts, that tho waste-weir was
scarcely sufficient to carry away the super
fuous water. At such times the mill was
usually kept in motion night and day but
even than, II was not an uncommon circum-
stance for tho mill.pond to overflow a por'
ton Of Richards land.
On ono occasion after the early freshet
had subsided, and Richard had sown some
choice seed for spring wheat in the field
bordering the pond, there came heavy
rain which lasted two nights and day.
The stream, was swollen, the pond rose
rapidly, and the water poured over tho
waste.weir cataract, but nobody ever sus.
pccted that Richards choice seed was in
danger, until he himself got'up one morn
ing and found the pond field covered with
water.
In violent passion he few to Joseph,
and blamed him for the misfortune.
p II have told you hundreds Of times that
YOU ought to have that waste.weir fixed !"
exclaimed Richard angrily. "Now your
carelessness has ruined the crop ] set the
most by. lit had been your field on the
other side, which was In danger this would
not have happened" 81
The sensitive Joseph was deeply hurt by
the insinuation of funselfshness but he ans.
wered calmly:
: "Bro,her you wrong rne. am very
sorry"
ait Is very we'll to be sorry after mis-.
fortune has happened, through Jour care.
lessness. Now tell me, if you plcaSe,
whether you intend to rebuild that waste
weir or not.
Joseph could scarcely control his anger
at his brothers overbearing manner.
III don't think shall rebuild 1t any the
sooner for your domincering," he said dri
ly.
"You won't!" muttered Richard, through
lips ashy pale with passion. "Perhaps you
mean to ruin my crops every year the same.
And am to bear it, suppose, without a
mlirtnir
The angry man concluded with threat,
which reused the mighty passion OF his
brother. Although Joseph had the day be-
fore mnde arrangements to have The waste
weir rebuilt, as soon as the dry season
should come, he did not see fit to tell Rich.
anl so. but rebuked him severely for his
overbenrance. Fiercer words followed /,
ending in bitter aud lasting quarrel.
In vain did James endeavor to reconcile
his brothers. Richards anger was still hot
and Josepll's Indignation was deep and
stern. The former declared TINT he could
have patience no longer with one who cared
only for his own interests, and the latter
firmly said that he wished to have no more
communication with one SO passionate, SO
unreasonable. so little like brother, Us
Richard.
But the quarrel did not end here. Rich.
ard abused James because he defended Jo.
seph, and Joseph blamed him for siding
with, Richard, and james became indig-
nant ut the conduct of both. In short
for to give all the circumstances OF the
quarrel In detail, would fll pages-tho dy-
Ing counsel Of old R,charl Blane was for
gotten, and the brothers parted in anger.
Richard returned 10 his farm, and Joseph
TO his mill, leaving james alone in the old
family mansion.
Al .iillbrook was struck will, astonish-
ment. and the old housekeeper Yas con.
founded. For month, the princl bal topic
Of conversation was the separation Of the
brothers Blame. whose quarrel was as
much Godseud to gossips end lovers Of
scandal, as breach of promise or u Grim.
inal trial.
But however pleasant subject Il might
be to talk about, il was singularly unpleas'
ant one. to contemplate, for the brothers
Blame.
II is impossible to describe tho discomfort
of Richard living with his tenant in the
farmhouse. Everything disguised him.
from the food he ate, to the children he
heard squall. The only satisfaction he en-
loved in his new situation was the unbound.
ed privilege Of scoldiug; an occupation
in which the fretiul man continually in.
dulged.
Joseph was no better of. The miller's
family was not the most pleasant family In
the world, and the miller was no associate
for Joseph. The poor man had but one re.
source. to addict himself to study, and be-
como morose, melancholy man.
Nor did James, who was naturally SO
cheerful, and 80 fond OF company, suffer
less. He missed the society Of his BROTH
ers he was always lonely now In the old
house, which seemed so empty and drcary.
lie could no longer bear to be at home.
So he spent nearly oil his time in the com.
pany which irequented his store, to the
great distress OF the unhappy housekeeper.
who pined away like love sick school
girl.
II was not In their social feelings alone
that the brothers suffered the consequences
Of their unnatural separation. Richard
now carried his grist to another mill, and il
was through his influence That Joseph lost
much custom. Then the older brothers
went great distance out Of their way to
make their store purchases at Brownsville
and Smilhtown, instead Of obtaining their
goods Of james for thirty per cent less than
they paid elsewhere, Moreover, James no
longer had Richards produce and Joseph's
-four To trade upon but others enjoyed the
profit while the brothers were enjoying the
quarrel.
Thus matters went on for more than a
year-James anxiously waiting for Richard
or Joseph TO make the first advances toward
a reconciliation, they waiting for each other,
and the three making themselves as miser-
able US possible. .. .r..... .
PART IIi. .
Il wns tho fourth Of July Milbrook
was like great beehive. The militia were
out. bayonets glistcned In the sun, the roar
of artillery filed tho air, and vast quaint.
" Of bad ruin was consumed. in the arlior
Of patriotism. All good children went to
tho -Fourth Of July Sunday School Cele.
bntion," ate crackers aud raisins, aud
heard an unintelligibIe address from tho
Rev. Mr.. Wetwhis,le, while bad boys per-
formed the "lndepenience Trimming"
and the cannons, Jokes and Hre crackers,
with which the field and tavern were en-.
liveued. ... b. 30 ..rI
Thene ,yas mn yvork nm the farfr, thar