Year: 1861




from this day forth. am sorry yo


have compelled me tC make this threat


| did not want to do ii. But to permi


you any longer TO injure me as you hav


for some time been doing, would be n


virtue on my part. Strangely enough


he continued, seeing that Ellis did no


mediate a reply, you have looked upol


me as an enemy, when | wish to be re


garded as friend. Try and conside


me as such hereafter, and it may be bet


ter for both Of US


After saying this, Mr.. Tiller retired


and left his somewhat astonished ntigbbo
to his own reflections, which were by NJ
means very agreeable. That was a new
view OF the case, altogether, which haC
been presented. He saw that be wa:
completely in the power of Tiller, who
had only to bring this matter before the
court, and he would be compelled 20 pay
the value of the animal he had so wan.
tonly killed, besides all costs Of prosecu
lion that might arise. The case was toe
plain to afford a chance for successful lit
lgatlon on his part Deeply chafed in





spirit was he to find himself so completely
in the power of a man he almost hated,
though without a cause, and, also, to find
that this man, when he could put his foot
upon his neck, bad the magnanimity not
to do so. The caution OF Tiller had its
desired effect. No more injury was done
to anything belonging to him.


What Ellis had done, quickly became
known throughout the neighborhood
and there were many who strongly urged
Tiller to sue him and recover the value
of his colt. But he could not be induced
to take that step. Some praised his
and some blamed him but
all were more or less incensed at Ellis.


Things were very quiet after this not
withstanding old browny forgot the severe
lesson she had learned, and with her one
horn, a standing and pointed rebuke to
Mr. Tiller whenever he saw it, which
was pretty often, managed to let down
bars and open gates as well as ever
Her depredations were, however, gener-
ally guarded against by timely care in
making all things fast, Ellis was very
shy of his neighbor and kept out of his
way as much as possible. When they
did meet, Tiller always spoke to him
,indly.


A good farmer does not get rich very
asst, and bad one is sure to 80 behind
land. Peter Ellis was a bad farmer,
nd instead of bettering his condition,
ear after year, became, as might be
opposed, worse and worse off. One
Iebt after another came into existence,
md pressed him down, until at length,
lis whole farm was about passing into the
lands of the sheriff for the purpose of
debt of six hundred dollars,
eld by man who felt very little like
pairing his farm from the laws extrem-
ty.


When this fact came to the ears of
'iller, he said to the person who men
ioned it to him


DO you really think his farm will be
old by this man in order to recover his
ebt?


] have no doubt of itin the world
'as replied. He has an old grudge
ganst him, and will be glad Of a good
pportunity to satisfy it. | don't think
Ills has any right to complain. As he
'ould have done to you or any one else
e happened not to like, SO will he be
one by


But it is pity to break any man up
| this way. His farm will be sacrificed
,r half its value
No doubt of that. But, who can
elp it? If his creditor pushes for his
WI, the law gives him right to do just
5 he is doing
True. But might we not all join
nd help him little? am willing to
0 my part. What do you say ?
! don't believe you will find man in
le neighborhood who would turn his
niger to help him. know that shall 4
OF risk a penny


Mr.. Tiller mused over the difficulty v
which Ellis was placed, for some time, II
ter be was alone. lie forgot all about
e differences that had existed between P
in and Peter, and thought only of the II
cans of saving him from the sacrifice y
his property. At length, satisfied v
ith the result of his reflections, he 4
artsd for the residence of Ellis withi i
e air of a man who had made up his
ind as to what he was going to do. !
Peter sat alone, brooding over the b
that was about to wrest from s
5 hands the old family homestead
dgment had been obtained against him 81