Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-11-05
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Long ROd-POIe.

The facts here related took plac,
in the northwestern part of Main,
about the year 1886, and although
was at that time pretty young, in
deed mere child, yet the peculiar
character Of the circumstances, the
neighborhoOd excitement, and the
sad consequences which followed
made an impression upon my MIND
that seems as fresh to-day as it die
fifty years ago.
A few miles from my fathers old
farm there lived two Well-to-dC
farmers, whom we will call John
and Calvin. They were related by
way of marriage, and were once
great friends, but at the time INV
story commences they we're most in.
veterate enemies. Their farms lay
side by side on the county road,
some few miles from the Andres
cOggin River. For many years they
cut their hay in silence, each one
moving down to the dividing line
with the precision of master me-
chanic. Each owned hundred rods,
and through Il part of the meadow
ran a brook, which, like most
meadow brooks, was very crooked.
Now, John thought ii would be an
excellent plan to ditch his one hun.
dred rods, making the brook straight,
and thereby saving mnch land, and
making his field more convenient and
productive. So he contracted with
man named Redman to dig one
hundred rods of ditch at one dollar
per rod, beginning at the lower end
of his farm and following down the
stream to Calvin's line. Redman
came, and with his two grown-up
boys he went merrily to work, and
John made him rod-pole for the
occasion but, being of treacher-
Gus disposition, he made the meas
ure a dozen inches longer than
usual, that he might get a good re-
turn. In this he did not fail.
Reiman worked diligently for
some days. Calvin was interested
in the operation, and carefully
watched the proceedings, often ask
IuR Iio" iOdS hO lldu
accomplished, and always getting
an honest reply. One day, as he
leaned upon his scythe, he called:
81 say, Redman, how many rods
have you got along?"
Eighty.o
Eighty! Well, you're getting
along fast"
Now, Calvin saw at once that he
was far too near his line for eighty
rods, and, musing upon the circum-
stances, he decided there must be a
mistake. Knowing John so we'll. he
began to suspect, as he considered
the subject further, that John might
be trying to defraud Redman; so
dropping his scythe and crossing the
line, he sat down near the r0d.pole,
and took off his hat to cool and rest
himself.
- say, Redman, this is hot
weather."
"Yes."
While SO sitting he took occasion
to measure the pole which John had
made, and to his delight he found ii
was Just one foot too long. Now
here was fun for Calvin. Here was
a chance to plague his enemy. Did
he 60 and tell Redman No, not
ne. He laughed quietly in his sleeve,
and waited for Redman to finish his
work. This was done, and the hon.
est digger presented to John his bill
for one hundred dollars, received his
money, and went his way.
Very soon after this was accom-
plished, Calvin discovered, to his
great surprise and indignation, ot
course, that some one had been tres
passing on his meadow by digging I
ditch about one hGndred feet long
near the line which separated hi'
land from Johns. Sending to Johr
he demanded if that ditch was duf
by his authority. John, not sus
pecting any trouble, replied that /
was. Receiving this answer, Calvin
at once started for the town and lait
his case before the village lawyer
who at once saw that John had com
mitted a great wrong, known to th'
law as wilfully trespassing on the
land of a neighbor. A writ was ac
cordingly made out, and the deput!
sheriff Of the county, 80 muci
dreaded in those times, soon mad'
his appearance before John, attached
his property for the damage done Il
Calvin's land, and summoned him t
appear and show cause.
John was astonished. He visite'
the field and saw at glance that tn
ditch was far over the line, and nov
for the first time the awful though
flashed upon him that in making hi
rod pole one foot too long he ha
actually dug one hundred feet int
Caiyin's land. He stood aghast, an
then fastened to find the rod-polt
that he might destroy the proof 6
his guilt, but 1t was not to be found