Year: 1860

CHAPTER i.


| Ah that was noble tree which stood in
the line of fence that divided the farms of
Moses Barker and Josiah Benton, in the
town of Burford, Conn. \ giant oak, that
| lifted its broad head TO the heavens, and
nightly whispered the secrets of the earth to
/ the stars, while in its briwny arm the timid
squirrel found home, and from beneath its
thick, green leaves, whole troops of winged
minstrels poured forth their JuJiiaie Dec, un-
til the whole atmosphere quiyercd with the
burst of Thanksgiving.


And yet they needed not-they heard it
not-thosc' two angry, passionate men, who
dared to stand beneath it, shade on that
bright summer day, and make this. possession
of il subject OF strife and bitterness. Alas,
they heard nothing but the angry beatings
OF their own selfish hearts


Cut it il you dare y cried the elder Of the
two, his voice trembling with rage.


Il certainly shall dare was the angry re-
ply. You know well enough that the tree
stood some Ieet on my side until | was so
foolish us To move the fence to accommodate
YOU with water for your cattle. But the
fence shall be put back before another twen-
ty-four hours, and then, water your cattle
where you can


Cut that tree, or alter that fence one inch,
and I'll strlighten YOU, if thcre's law in
Connecticut, replied Barker. You have
failed to keep me under warning, and | can
hold the tree and watering place by posses
sion,' he continued with u triumphant smile.
And there is another thing; you will make
your part of the fence through Dow Lot
at once, or I'll make you trouble-that's
ALL"


.Umph, shall build the fence when I've
u mind to, and not minute before, for all
the Moses Barkers this side of Canada, was
the reply.


You'll build il when you've a mind to,
will you? p cried the inluriatcd Barker we
will see about that. guess you will rather
have mind to do it in pretty quick time, If
you have me to deal with


Perhaps not-though had rather deal
with the devil"


Quick rs thought Barker caught u stake
from the fence and mised il to strike, but his
aim was diverted By young girl who came
springing over the fence and caught his arm,
while she cried IN terror Father, father,
for mercy S sake don't strike uncle Siah!'


In his r,ge the old man attempted to push
her roughly hack, but she avoid d his grasp
and sprang directly between lhem, while
Siah Benton said tauntiuSly.


For shame, Moses Barker! would you
prove nv words true? II you want to,
strike me. Ii is all ask


Perhaps that angry man would not have
waitcd Cor second invitation. but the slight
form of his only child stood between him
and the object of his fury, and there was
something in the expression of her pure
young face, that restrained him. lie was n
man Of too coarse feelings and passionate
temper tn suffer very deeply from sense OF
degradation in the eyes Of his child, but
something q, this he did feel, and while it
restrained his hand, il also increased his irri.
tation. lie angrily badc her so homo and
keep at home


Il came to call you to dinner, father she
said, while she fingered, Us If fearful OF an
other outbreak.


Go home. | say. There's no use in loiter-
ing here all day il you did, he said sternly,
while he cast glance towards Benton, who
had withdrawn to the bole Of the disputed
tree, and stood eoolly measuring its circum-
ference with string which he had drawn
from his pocket; then with muttercd let
him do il il he dare, he followed her with
hasty strides.


These men were cousins. Their houses
stood at scarcely the distance Of an arrows
flight from each other, and from the FIRST set
Element of the place, their fathers had dwelt
there and filed up the measure OF their days
with many acts of neighborly kindness and
love. True the Barkcrs and tho BenSbns
were somewhat noted for their hasty tcmpers,
and clouds would sometimes arise. but they
never became No fearful that the clear voices
OF the mothers could not be heard, calling TO
each other from their kitchen doors, with
some friendly inquiry after the cheese or web,
or 80 dark Us TO hide from the bright eyes of
the children the well beaten footpath that
led across the meadow between their dwell
lings, along which they constantly passed
and re-passcd, in spite Of wind and weather.