New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-04-24
Written for the New Orleans Republican,
THE TWO FRIENDS AMI III IE
QUAREEIS.

BYM. A. C.
In the happy State of Vermont, IN the
rural village OF v, lived two OLD
neighbors, one farmer, the other mer-
chant.
There was not day that these neighbors
did not meet-not day that they did not
come to high words and part in anger.
The next day, US true as the sun to its
revolution, the merchant and the farmer
were sure to re-seek each others society,
re-adjust the differences of the day pre-
vious, glide On in harmonious converse
until they encountered another chill OF
difficulty" when, again, high words would
arise, tempers would become intiamed, and
the irate pair would separate in wrath to
again sleep it off, and renew friendship the
ensuing morning.
Thus, day after day, week after week, and
year after year. had revolved the even cur
rent of unevenness in temper of these iras-
cibie friends until they had grown gray in
the warfare.
But one luckless day matters had reused
heat of his excitement. Major Bohsnnen, the
farmer, had seized Deacon Bickford, the
merchant, by the collar of his coat and ad-
ministered to him a vigorous shaking, after
which unprecedented ebulition he had
mounted his horse and galloped home
wards.
The cool evening air and solitude giving
the Major time for reelection, his peniten-
tial feelings were reused, and he felt IN
usual shame and humiliation on account o.
his outburst Of personal violence, and long
before reaching home had not only fully for
given the deacon, but was bursting with
impotence to solicit his pardon.
In accordance with this impulse he had q
troubled sleep, and early the next morning
he mounted his horse and sailed forth for
an interview with his injured friend.
Reaching town before the deacon had lef
home, his impotence led the major to seel
the merchant at his residence. Responsive
to the early summons, down came the dea-
con, mild as summer, and warmly shook the
proffereG hand.
"Well, deacon" said the farmer, 81 fell
so much ashamed of my conduct yesterday
evening that could not rest until l came
and asked your pardon. To think that fol
thirty years we have been friends, and that
should permit myself to go so far, and get
80 much excited as to actually shake you,
really disturbed me-"
"Oh it was nothing" soothingly re
ia A. cd I. tba hoa ~ ~
us will lose control of ourselves sometimes.
/" But do you forgive me? Really and
truly forgive me2r pursued the peniten'
major.
Certainly, forgive you!' responded the
amiable deacon.
Are you sure you do, now? Fully and
entirely, for have much to tell you, and
can not 60 on until have the assurance OF
your full and unqualified pardon
Certainly, l forgive you," replied the
deacon, $50 go on
swell, if you are quite sure you forgive
me, and all the past is forgotten. 1 will go on.
You see, last night, as I was going home,
and thinking over our little ditficulty-yoU
are quite sure you forgive me, deacon, ?"
''Oh yes 60 on! go on !"
"Well, as l was tired, and it was little
late, fell into state which might have
been doze, and might have been trance,
l can not well cay which. But was in
state of mind in which / had a dream OF a
vision, it would be hard to say which it was
but in it saw the devil
s'The deyil?" exclaimed the deacon.
eyes. the sure enough devil; all hoofs
horns, and tail, made up in unmistakablt
fashion, and he had come for me.'
Had come for your queried the deacon
evidently relishing exceedingly the DRIFT o
the narrative.
"Yes! he had come for me, and he met m
lust where the road runs along the niche il
the face of the precipice and there was n
escaping him up nor down, back nor front
and thought my time had come. Bat,
thought, "as long as there is life, there
hope and 1 determined to make despe
rate effort, and if must die, "to die game.
The deacon nodded his head approvingly
and the tale went on.
eSaid l, Mr.. Devil, really this business
very sudden, and I must say your prope
sition is very ill-timed. I have a larg
family to provide for, and at my time of lii
I really could not think of such a thing, E
YOU had better look up some other party
for assure you that really can not co.
sBut have come for YOU replied th
devil, land you must go. Other men ha'
TO 90 that are worse Off than you are, an
YOUR excuse viii not pass"
Butt urged, Mr.. Devil, it is too SOC
in the season; have my potatoes to dig, N
corn to harvest, and my house to bank ~
I really am not at your service"
"That is an very well in it's way said tt
devil 'but it will not answer with me-g
YOU must" :.
i studied over the situation minute al
saw it was a desperate case: AT last an Id
struck me and said, well, Mr. Devil, y
seem very urgent, and if must go y
should do me a favor in turn. Now, II y
viii do three things for me l VIII go WI
YOU. and never say one word 81
The old boy wsgged his tail at Inns,
eves twinkled, and no sooner were the wU 20
ont of my mouth than he cried "done y
"But I was not discouraged. ana taoug
had the best of it yet. So told MN ~
Aes~ utanda inst WIG