Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-08-21
NO. 1877.
TIM BUNKER ON GOOD NEIGHBoRHooR

81 could a got along well enough with
turkey shootin eff he hadn't gone down TO
the store and brag'd ont" said Seth
Twiggs, rapping the ashes out of his third
pipe, as he stood by my garden fence.
"You don't say that Jake Fink killed
your turkeys, dew YEP" inquired Tucker
''Yes he did, and brag'd ont, tew. Ye
see kept turkeys, and Jake also. and
sometimes Jake's got into my garden and
sometimes mine into Jake's field. Some
times he'd bring in a bill for damaged corn
which alters paid like Christian man
Sometimes druv his turkeys home and
asked him to take care on 'em. But I
never thought o. KILN on them, more'n I
wud onessof Jake's sheep. And now the
critters Killed five of my young turkeys,
and hadn't the face to come and tell me
ont like man, but went down to the
store and brag'd ont as if he'd done suth-
in kind O. grand"
''He is as mean as dirt to destroy prop
erty in that way" said Tucker.
Il shouldn't a. thought SO much of it,
said Seth, putting away at his pipe, .'ef
they had been in the habit of getting into
his corn. But don't spose they'd been
there more'n once afore this whole sum-
mer. had alters started 'em off into the
big field in the morning so as tu keep 'em
on my own land"
"Better shoot some of his,n said Tucker
.'the next time they come up this way.r
mo, shan't," said Seth, THAT would
make tn fools instead of one, and one is
plenty enough in this neighborhood
"Sue him then, guess 9n inquired
Tucker M
mo, shan't, while my pipe and to-
bacco lasts" said Seth. The Hast cure
for any evil is law suit. 1t don't help a
good neighborhood."
''Well, what does ?n asked Tucker
doing about as you'd be done hy;"
said Seth. ''You see, Jake Frink and
have been neighbors ever since we were
boys, and like to be till we go into the
grave. paid his bill for corn damaged
by turkeys last year, it's fair that he
should pay my bill for turkeys KILLED this
year.
"And s'pose he doa't do it ?n inquired
Uncle lothian Sparrowgrass, who came
up hobbling with his cane as We were
talking.
Don't do it ?" exclaimed Seth, with
big puff of smoke II should like to
know how he is gwine to get rid ont. It's
palmer than pike staff. If pay him
for damaged property, he ought to pay
me. If he dofft pay for them turkeys
why I've got Jake's conscience on my
side, and he'll be hearing them turkeys
gobble in his dreams till he does the right
thing"
"You'll cut his acquaintance, then,
guess" said Uncle lothian.
''No, shan't," said Seth, II shall be
little more attentive to Jake than ever,
alters inquire after his health, and watch
opportunities to do him q kindness. l
shall heap Goals of fire right on tu his
head and make him sweat. If his turkeys
come over to my place, | shall drive them
home carefully. If his cattle get intu the
mire, l shall help them out. If he wants
my team in logging time, he can have it.
If he's sick I'll visit him and watch with
neighborly conduct, and wish that every
shot he put into my turkeys was in his own
skin. Ye see, if l get cross and quarrel
some, I'll lose my hold ON Jake's con-
science, and make him think that de-
served to have my birds killed. If ] am
neighborly, l make him ashamed OF his
conduct, and every one of them turkeys
haunts him till he does right"
''And s'pose he hasn't got any con-
science ?" inquired Tucker, doubtingly,.
IAN I've got to say on that point is. that
God don't make folks in that way"
So Seth Twiggs marched off in cloud
of smoke, just as confident that he could
get the start of Jake Frink as Jake was
that he had the best of the bargain when
he killed his neighbors turkeys. Ag'1eh'-
turiSt