Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-06-26
A NEIGHBOURS REVENGE.
1t Was Not Less Sweet Because
It Was Slow In Coming.

1t Was SLOW In coming
"Never will forgive Follett," said Rob
ert Murdoch, with bitter energy.
"Never is a long day." said his wife,
calmly.
''That may be, but mean what / say,
nevertheless" he rejoined.
THAT is hardly Christian, Robert"
i'It's human, at any rate" he retorted
"You can't deny that he has served me q
mean trick"
al do not deny it. Twas certainly sur
prised to find that he could treat you in so
Intentionally manner"
1'Ungentlemanlyl / should think II was.
II was only night before last that an
nounced my intention Of buying the Wal
sinRham lot, considering that it would
greatly rise in value within the next five
years, for reasons which detailed to him.
He advised me to do so, and the next morn
ing posted over TO the heirs and secured it
himself II that wasn't mean, should like
TO know what is"
81 agree with you on that point, But
hope he may come to see its meanness him
self"
"No chance for that. He's as mean as
dirt, and cares only for his own interest"
Certainly it did seem that Mr.. Murdoch
had right to complain. The Walsingham
lot contained five acres, which, for special
reasons known 10 him, was likely to become
valuable at no distant day. For this reason
no had for year past desired to possess 10.
The death Of the owner, neeessitRtjng
sale, opened to him the coveted opportunity.
But he was indiscreet enough to communi-
cate his intention to his neighbour, with the
result already mentioned.
It was not until two days afterward that
ne accidentally met Follett at the village
store. With some embarrassment in his
manner, Follett said:
"Good-morning, Mr.. Murdoch"
Murdoch looked him full in the face and
then retired to another part of the store.
Follett flushed at this decided rebuff,
(which had been witnessed by several others
who werS well acquainted with both parties.
S'What is the matter with Murdocki"
asked an acquaintance,
"I don't know, I'm sure. II he don't want
TO speak to me, he needn't"
81 thought you were good friends.
Didn't you spend Wednesday evening at his
houser'
"Yes," said Follett, with an air Of con-
stralnt.
81 didn't know he was apt to take offense
so easily. What have you done to offend
HING
IuUl ut Cdu Icll DtSJV bdlu FOIlcbI, 6Vl-
IDENTIFY tried by the subject. ~ have no time
nor inclination to Inquire INTO matter Of so
little importance"
Murdoch heard this, and il seemed to him
insult added to injury. However, he
delRned not word, but preserved digni-
fed silence. He was not a man to talk over
his wrongs, as he considered them, with
anybody and every body But he preserved
a chilling silence when no met FolIettin the
street, and never in any way acknowledged
bis existence.
This was annoying to Follett, who, though
ne had made u capital bargain, did not find
IL quite as pleasant as he had anticipated.
He could not help acknowledging to himself
that he had served Murdoch thoroughly
mean trick. There were times, in fact
when he felt almost willing TO cede the lot
with all its advantages to Murdoch for the
purchase money he had paid. He never
brought himself quite to the point, how
ever. Indeed, he would have found
It extremely difficult to breach the sub
iect, SO Fepellant was the manner of the
man he had injured. Meanwhile, Murdoch
had vowed within himself that if ever a
fair opportunity presented itself he would
revenge himself upon Follett Tbie decla-
ration he made TO his wife, and, being q
Christian woman, she received it with ur-
gent remonstrances, but without having
the effect Of shaking her husbands pur-
pose.
ats all very we'll to talk, Mary" he said.
1eYOu don't know how wanted that field
how / had set my heart upon 1t, in fact, and
for that scoupdrel to step in between me
and my desire was yillainous."
IL don't defend 1t nor do ] speak in his
behalf, but on yours"
''On minel"
Eyes II will produce bad effect upon
your character to cherish such q spirit OF
bitterness and such thirst for revenge"
''As to that, Mary, won't argue. l will
only say thssi II the time ever comes wher
James Follett stapds in my power, let hin
look to himselfr'
II am sorry to hear you speak so
Robert" said his wife. ~ did not thinH
you were so revengeful."
81 don't think l am generally disposed
to wish my neighbors or any one else evil
but do hope that James Follett win live Il
repent bitterly the wrong he has done me.
$50 do l. Repentance is the best atone
ment for wrong doing"
E'You mean one thing, and ! another
Mary, That can see well enough. w
had better not discuss the matter an.
longer. You arc woman and IL is natura
for you to be gentle and forgiving, 1 suppose
am man, and when am injured, know
It and feel # and as 10 forgiving or feelini
friendly toward the man who injured me
it's what can't do. shalt never forgiv
Follett as long as live.'
Mrs, Murdoch sighed gently as her hus
band said these words. She perceived tina
he was Thoroughly in earnest, and that he
circumstances were Of no avail.
Mr. Follett was . MAJ who, in tn
country town where he lived, was &C
counted rich he was one OF the leadin
Rx payers, and therefore held promiuen
position. But in an evil hour for his world
iV prosperity he invested an amount nearl
equal 20 his entire property in a Lake 81
perior copper mine, by which he expecte
10 realize a handsome addition to hi
fortune. But in the course Of four month
the bubble burst, and nothing was save
from the wreck, The news burst Hpo
James Follett like a clap Of thunder In
CLEAR sky. He had so wrapped himself j
dreams OF large wealth that the change
utter ruin was overwhelming. When
appeared on the street after the tidings, b
seemed at least i've years older.
To Robert Murdoch, on the contrary,
brought a stern, vindictiye JOY, He ha
lived TO see his enemy humbled. BE and ~
Follett bad been about on par so far Q
worldly means were concerned. But b
property remained intact, while the latte
had nothing left
ssNow,r be said, 81 shall get the walsinI
ham lot back
Evil Mr.. FoIlett be obliged to sell itl''
ssYes; and not that oniy, but all that b
possesses"
s.Poor mani pity him"