The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-11-01

he only felt his wrath, which he nursed
to keep it warm. That night he hitched
his horse to q job wagon, and went to
the village ior o barrel of; flour. Having
transacted his store business, he called
upon Laban Pepper, a lawyer, to whom
he narrated the facts of the shooting Of
his dog.
Pepper was a man anxious for fees
He had no sympathy or soul above that
"You say your dog was in company
with two of your ohildrena"
eyes"
"And this passage over Mr.. Welton's
land and through his shed had been
freely yielded by him as right of way
to his neighborsa"
eyes, sir, ever since can remem-
ber. = - -.
"Then, my dear sir, Welton is clearly
liable. If you will come with me We
will step into Mr.. Garaeld's and have a
suit con menced at once.
Mr.. Garfield was the trial justice.
ALI this happened on Friday evening.
On Saturday it had become noised
abroad in the farming district that
there was not only serious trouble be-
tween the neighbors Welton and Brack-
EFT, but that they were going to law
about it.
On Sunday morning John Welton
told his wife he should not attend
church. She had no need to ask her
husband why he should not go out. She
knew he was unhappy, and that he
could not bear to meet his old neighbor
in the house of God while the dark
cloud was upon him. Ncr did she wish
to meet either Mr.. OF Mrs. Bracket.
So they both stayed at home.
Peter Bracket was even more miser-
lble than John Welton, though perhaps
he did not know it. He held in close
,:ompanionship the very worst demon
man can embrace-the demon of
wrathful vengeance-and in order to
maintain himself at the strain to which
he had set his feelings, he was obliged
to nurse the monster. He did not at
tend church on that day, nor did his
wife. Two or three times during the
calm, beautiful Sabbath, las he glanced
over toward his neighbor's dwelling, he
found himself beginning to wish that
he had not gone to sec John Welton in
such a heat of anger q; but he put the
wish away, and nursed back his wrath.
On Monday, toward noon, the consta-
ble came in from the village and read
to John Welton an imposing legal docu-
ment. It was a summons issued by
VIM. Garfield, ESQ.,, a justice of the
peace and quorum, ordering the said
John Welton to appear before him at
two of the clock on Wednesday, at his
Office, then and there to answer the COM
plant of Peter Bracket, etc. The Off
Ger read the summons, and left with the
defendant copy.
It was the first time John Welton had
ever been called upon to face the law.
At first he was awe stricken, then he was
wroth. He told himself that he would
fight it to the bitter end. And now he
tried to nurse his wrath, and became
more unhappy than before.
Or Tuesday evening Parson Surely
called upon Mr.. Welton. The good
man had heard of the trouble and was
exceedingly exercised in spirit. Both
the men were of his flock, and be loved
and respected them. He sat down alone
with Welton, and asked him what il
meant. 'G.
"Tell me calmly and candidly all
about it," he said.
After little reflection Mr.. Welton
told the story He knew the old clergy
man for true man and whole hearted
friend, and he told everything just as he
understood it.
"And neighbor Bracket thinks, even
now, that you shot the dog, knowing
that it was his?"
?. 81 suppose So" =
eff you had told him the exact facts
in the beginning, do you think he would
have held his anger2"
This was a hard question for John
Welton, but he answered it manfuly.
"Truly, parson, I do not think he
would"
"Were you ever more unhappy IN
your life than you have been since this
trouble Cameo"
"I think not.
"And, if possible, neighbor Bracket
is more unhappy than you.
"Do you think so9"
. "Yes. He is the most angry and re-
vengeful." -. .-- =.
A brief pause, ard then the parson
resumed:
Brother Welton, with you are need
ed but few words. You are more man
than Brother Bracket. Do you not be-
ieve he has good heart ?"
eyes" 49, ,.
II wish you could show how true and
good your heart is."
"Parson!'
II wish you could show him that You
possess true Christian courage"
Parson, what do you mean"
II wish you had the courage to meet
and conquer him."
Hoy would you have me do its"
"First, conquer yourself. You are
not offended2"
"No. Go on"
And thereupon the good old clergy
man drew up his chair and laid his
band upon his friends arm and told
him just what he would have him do.
He spoke earnestly, and with tears in
his eyes.