Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1874-09-19
How to Kill an Enemy.

"iS HVpso i"uuIys 40 uc IOOk Seat oy
the fireside, and gathered them round
him for a pleasant talk, switch
is the best way to kill an enemyi"
"Why, shoot him, to be sure,'
said one.
".No, stab him." said a second.
"No, starve him." said u third.
"But l Think" said their father,
III can show you a better way than
this. An enemy may be killed
without taking from him his life, or
shedding single drop of his blood.
Let me tell you n story, to show how.
"There was a farmer once, who
was a very cross, surly, disagreeable
man. Everybody in the neighbor-
hood knew him, and everybody dis.
liked him. He was sure to make
the most of whatever went wrong
about him, and the poor offender
always met with severe punish
ment. There was not a boy in all
the neighborhood who didn't feel
uncomfortable as he passed his
gate and the dog that barked at
his geese, or the neighbours rooster
that crowed on his wall, was speedi-
ly visited either with the lash of
his whip or the shot of his gun.
The very cat knew his footsteps,
and skunk away from him in terror
He 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 continual
'hot water,' indeed his life was made
up of broils.
"After a time good farmer Green
came to live near him, and was soon
told the character of his not over
pleasant neighbor.
"'Well,' says he, IF he "shows
off on me, I'll very soon kill him |"
"This remark of Farmer Green's
soon got atloat, and all sorts of
things were said about it. He SEEM
ed the very last man to 'kilp any
one, for his looks, and words, and
actions, all told of a loving heart
which throbbed in his bosom, and
directed his life. Nobody could
think for moment of his becom-
ing murderer. Mr.. Green's inten-
tion at length came to the ears Of
the ill-natured farmer, and you may
be sure be was not at all pleased
about it. Everything he could do
to tease, annoy, and even injure
Mr.. Green, was done; but, some
how the man who was to 'kilp 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; but her husband
wouldn't let her have them. He
told the person who brought them,
very grutfly,- that lit was only done
to get some Of his pears in return,
and he was MT 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 q rough
way, that he had enough to do to
mind his own business and refused
to help him.
"'Never mind,' said Green to one
standing by, 'pll kill him very soon,
see if do MT
"Soon after this the team OF the
ill-natured man was in the same
plight that his neighbors had been
in. Mr.. Green saw it. He ran for
his oxen and chains, and set off to
the bog. He spoke kindly, offered
his help, and began to render it, but
what did he receive in reply7 Why,
fierce look and an angry word
Il don't want your help take your
oxen away
"'No,' said the other, Il 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.
ga strange feeling did that rough,
cross man carry home with him
that evening, something which he
had never felt before. And al
strange look did his wife give him
as he said, Peg, Farmer Green has
killed me! He said he would and
he has done it,"
eyes, 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