Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-13
Retaliation.
BY MRS. L. S. PATTEN.

Nothing that works evil TO our neigh
bors can prove II lasting bcnefitto us. We
are members of one another" more
truly than we think, and often do ourselves
II much greater harm by noticing and re-
sentng the little affronts that occur in our
daily lives than the thing resented could
possibly have done, even if it had been
intended to injure us. a consciousness of
our own weakness, and how greatly they
annoy those who have a sincere regard for
our welfare, and who have been led to
speak of them, would calm our irritation
no doubt, and be- p US to correct our mis-
takes instead Of increasing them by i'll
feeling.
IF you think one has injured you never
let him know it, children, was one of the
precepts our grandfather gave us as we
gathered alfectionalely around his chair to
listen to his old-time stories and gather up
the results of his lifelong experiences,
"Why not, grandpaP Do you think we
ought to stand still and let people abuse
usP"
Il know of no better method in most
cases, even as IL matter Of self-defence.
Few persons will persevere in an insult
that is not resented. 1t is giving back as
good us they send, rs some people term it,
that makes the trouble. Always give
back better than they send, if it is some
thing that vcxes you. Keep down your
feelings, and take the first opportunity to
do real kindness in return, and you will
thus kill your enemy and make friend
with the same stroke, only be careful to
feel us well as act kindly in doing it"
"We don't understand it So"
at is none the less true, children, and
even if you thought the person deserved II
little paying back, this is still the best way.
He would be more truly sorry for his
wrong. doing by thinking it over i'll the
light of your kindness than for any pun
ishme1t you could intlict by the other
method"
School-master, said Bill jenkins,
Joe Smith pulled my hair"
The teacher came up to settle the diff
cutly. Have you been pulling his hairP "
Il lust touched it II little easy. | didn't
mean to pull it."
Il shouldn't have known it if Patty
Frost hadn't told me on it," said Billy
ingenuously. The punishment was omitted.
Now Patty Frost was II busy body, and
had great deal to answer for in the little
disturbances that arise between kind neigh
bors and sincere friends.
Sometimes she is II little enviouS and
believes it will advance her own interests
to set people ats variance in whose regard
she desires to hold place. But general
ly her fault is gossiping Not being very
well stored with original ideas, she
thoughtlessly distributes the little she
hears said, without meaning any harm. II
we take care to make right use Of the
information thus thrust upon us, it can be
turned to good account, however. 1t
should make us extremely careful in our
criticism of others, lest we wound them in
a like manner. We should also sift care
fully the contents of her news-basket, to
see If there are not some truths in it we
need to know, and some faults it would be
well to correct But it is always wise to
make no reply that can be put in the bas-
ket for return trip. The dog that brings
IL bone can carry one back MS well, howev-
er heavy or unsayory it may be. Be
ware of dogs, says the Scripture. We
need to be very careful In giving them
the opportunity TO harm ourselves or 9TH
ers.
There are people who honestly believe
it a sacred duty TO clear up every little
ccnsure that has passed upon themselves
or their families before they cnn meet the
anthor of it on friendly terms. Il heard
Mrs, Snow said our Jim WAS wild fellow
and that if we were not careful he would
bring us to grief" said Mrs. Jones. Nov
| am going to be plain-hearted and GO
right to her, tell her what ! have heard
and find out how she came to talk about
our SON."
II wouldn't" said her neighbor. 1T
would only make her feel hard and still
more likely to notice the failngs of your
son. Our boys are all more or less wild
and need to be carefully guarded against
the evils of the present day, She would