Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-12-25
How TO Kill an Enemy.

Children" said a kind father to his
little family, as he took seat by the fire.
side, and gathered them round him for a
pleasant talk, (which is the best way to
kill an enemy? ?"
Why, shoot him, to be sure" said one.
No, stab him" said a second.
No. starve him." said third.
But think said their father, 9" | can
show you better way than this. An enc
my may be killed without taking from him
his life, or shedding single drop of his
blood Let me tell you story to show
how,
"There was farmer once, who was a
very cross. surly, disagroeabIe man. Ev-
eFybody in the neighborhood knew him,
and everybody disliked him. lie was sure
to make the most Of whatever went wrong
about him, and the poor offender always
met with severe punishment. There was
not boy in all the neighborhood who didn't
feel uncomfortable as he passed his gate /;
and the poor dog that barked at his geese,
or the neighbours rooster that crowed on
his wall, was speedily visited either with
the lash of his whip or the shot from his
gun. The very cat knew his footsteps, and
skunk away from him in terror lie was a
complete pest, as much so TO himself as to
those about him. Every day brought him
some fresh trouble. and found him In con-
tinual hot water indeed, his life was
made up Of broils.
After time good farmer Green came
to live near him, aud was soon told the
character Of his not over-plcasant neigh
Dor.
Well,' says he " if he shows of on
me, III very soon kill him ~
This remark Of Farmer Green's soon
got adoat, and all sorts of things were said
about it. He seemed the last ran to kill ,
any one, for his looks, and words, and ac-
tions. all told Of loving heart which throb-
bed in his bosom, and directed his life.
Nobody could think for moment of his
becoming murderer Mr.. Green's iuten.
tion at length came to the ears of the i'll
natured farmer, and you may be sure he
was not all pleased abou it. Everything he
could do to tease, annoy, and even iDjure
Mr. Green, was done but, somehow the
man who was to kill this ugly.tempered
farmer, took it all in good part, and spoke
as calmly, and looked as kindly as ever.
One day Mrs. Green sent to the wife
of our surly friend basket of nice plums I;
but her husband wouldn't let her have
them. lie told the person who brought
them, very grufly that it was only done
to get some Of his pears in return, and he
wasn't going to give any Of them away
At another time Mr. Green's team OF
oxen stuck fast in bog and when he asked
his neighbor for little help, he told him,
in rough way, that he had enough to do
to mind his own business and refused to
help him.
" Never mind" said Green to one stand
ing by, I'll kill him very soon, see if
don't
Soon after this the team of the ILL
natured man was in the same plight that
his neighbcr's had been in. Mr.. Green saw
it. lle ran for his oxen and chains, and
set of to the hog. He spoke kindly, offer.
ed his help, aud began to render it, but
what did he receive in reply? Why, a
derce look and an angry word - don't
want your help take your oxen away
"No," raid the other, " must help you,
for the night is coming on, and what is bad
enough by day is ten times worse in the
dark" Away pulled the oxen and the
men, and soon all was set right again.
"a strange feeling did that rough cross
man carry home with him that evening
something which he had never felt before
Aud a strange look did his wife give him
as be said, Peg, Farmer Green has killed
me He said be would and be has done
it,"
Yes, the enemy was killed, without
the loss of single life, or one drop Of
blood. He went in the morning to confess
his ingratitude to his kind neighbor, and to
ask his forgiveness, and the very man who
had been noted for nothing but his wicked
ness, became the friend of ALL"