Lessons in Life, For All Who Will Read Them | Page 5

Dix, who paused as Bolton came up.
"Well, neighbour," said the former in a tone of mild persuasion, "I hope
you have thought better of the matter about which we were talking a
few hours ago."
"About Halpin's right of way through my farm, you mean?"
"Yes. I hope you have concluded to reopen the gate, and let things
remain as they have been, at least for the present. These offensive
measures only provoke anger, and never do any good." Bolton shook
his head.
"He has no right to trespass on my premises," said he, sternly.
"As to the matter of right," replied Mr. Dix, "I think, the general
opinion will be against you. By attempting to carry out your present
purpose, you will subject yourself to a good deal of odium; which
every man ought to avoid, if possible. And in the end, if the matter goes
to court, you will not only have to yield this right of way, but be
compelled to pay costs of suit and such damages as may be awarded
against you for expense and trouble occasioned Mr. Halpin. Now let me
counsel you to avoid all these consequences, if possible."
"Oh, you needn't suppose all this array of consequences will frighten
me," said Mr. Bolton. "I don't know what fear is. I generally try to do
right, and then, like Crockett, 'go ahead.'"
"Still, Mr. Bolton," urged the neighbour mildly, "don't you think it
would be wiser and better to see Mr. Halpin first, and explain to him
how much you are disappointed at finding a right of way for another
farm across the one you have purchased? I am sure some arrangement,
satisfactory to both, can be made. Mr. Halpin, if you take him right, is
not an unreasonable man. He'll do almost any thing to oblige another.
But he is very stubborn if you attempt to drive him. If he comes home
and finds things as they now are, he will feel dreadfully outraged; and
you will become enemies instead of friends."
"It can't be helped now," said Mr. Bolton. "What's done is done."
"It's not yet too late to undo the work," suggested Mr. Dix.
"Yes, it is. I'm not the man to make back-tracks. Good-day, Mr. Dix?"

And speaking to his horse, Mr. Bolton started off at a brisk trot. He did
not feel very comfortable. How could he? He felt that he had done
wrong, and that trouble and mortification were before him. But a
stubborn pride would not let him retrace a few wrong steps taken from
a wrong impulse. To the city he went, transacted his business, and then
turned his face homeward, with a heavy pressure upon his feelings.
"Ah me!" he sighed to himself, as he rode along. "I wish I had thought
twice this morning before I acted once. I needn't have been so
precipitate. But I was provoked to think that any one claimed the right
to make a public road through my farm. If I'd only known that Halpin
was a brother-in-law to Judge Caldwell! That makes the matter so
much worse."
And on rode Mr. Bolton, thinking only of the trouble he had so
needlessly pulled down about his ears.
For the last mile of the way, there had been a gentleman riding along in
advance of Mr. Bolton, and as the horse of the latter made a little the
best speed, he gained on him slowly, until, just as he reached the point
where the road leading to his farm left the turnpike, he came up with
him.
"Mr. Bolton, I believe," said the gentleman, smiling, as both, in turning
into the narrow lane, came up side by side.
"That is my name," was replied.
"And mine is Halpin," returned the other, offering his hand, which Mr.
Bolton could but take, though not so cordially as would have been the
case had the gate opening from his farm into Mr. Halpin's been on its
hinges. "I have often heard my brother-in-law, Judge Caldwell, speak
of you and your lady. We promise ourselves much pleasure in having
you for neighbours. Mrs. Halpin and I will take a very early
opportunity to call upon you. How is all your family?"
"Quite well, I thank you," replied Mr. Bolton, trying to appear polite
and pleased, yet half averting his face from the earnest eyes of Mr.
Halpin.
"We have had a beautiful day," said the latter, who perceived that, from
some cause, Mr. Bolton was not at ease.
"Very beautiful," was the brief answer.
"You have been into the city," said Mr. Halpin, after a brief pause.
"Yes, I had some business that made it necessary for me to go into

town."--Another silence.
"You have a beautiful farm. One of the finest in the