LADD AND HIS NEIGHBOR. 117 66 XL. - LADD AND HIS NEIGHBOR. HAD," said William Ladd, the apostle of peace, "I a fine field of grain, growing upon an out-farm, at some distance from the homestead. Whenever I rode by I saw my neighbor Pulcifer's sheep in the lot, destroying my hopes of a harvest. These sheep were of the gaunt, long-legged kind, active as spaniels; they would spring over the highest fence, and no partition-wall could keep them out. 2. "I complained to neighbor Pulcifer about them, sent him frequent messages, but all without avail. Perhaps they would be kept out for a day or two; but the legs of his sheep were long, and my grain more tempting than the adjoining pasture. I rode by again, the sheep were still there. I became angry, and told my men to set the dogs on them; and, if that would not do, I would pay them if they would shoot the sheep. 3. "I rode away much agitated; for I was not so much of a peace man then as I am now, and I felt literally full of fight. All at once a light flashed in upon me. I asked myself, Would it not be well for you to try in your own. conduct the peace principle you are teaching to others?' I thought it all over, and settled in my mind as to the best course to be pursued. The next day I rode over to see neighbor Pulcifer. I found him chopping wood at his door. 4. "Good morning, neighbor!' No answer. 'Good morning!' I repeated. He gave a kind of grunt, without looking up. 'I came,' continued I, 'to see about the sheep.' At this he threw down his axe and exclaimed, in an angry manner, 'Now are n't you a pretty neighbor, to tell your men to kill my sheep! I heard of it; a rich man, like you, to shoot a poor man's sheep!' 5. "I was wrong, neighbor,' said I; but it won't do to let your sheep eat up all that grain; so I came over to say that I would take your sheep to my homestead pasture, and put them in with mine; and in the fall you shall take them. back, and if any one is missing, you may take your pick out of my whole flock.' 6. "Pulcifer looked confounded; he did not know how to take me. At last he stammered out: Now, Squire, are you in earnest?' Certainly I am,' I answered; 'it is better for me to feed your sheep in my pasture on grass than to feed them here on grain; and I see the fence can't keep them out.' 7. "After a moment's silence, 'The sheep sha'n't trouble you any more,' exclaimed Pulcifer. I will fetter them all. But I'll let you know that when men talk of shooting, I can shoot too; and when they are kind and neighborly, I can be kind too.' 8. The sheep never again trespassed on my lot. And, my friends," he would continue, addressing the audience, "remember that when you talk of injuring your neighbors, they will talk of injuring you. When nations threaten to fight, other nations will be ready too. Love will beget love; a wish to be at peace will keep you in peace. You can overcome evil with good. There is no other way." THE BURIAL OF MOSES. III. Noiselessly as the Spring-time Her crown of verdure weaves, And all the trees on all the hills Open their thousand leaves; So without sound of music, Or voice of them that wept, Silently down from the mountain's crown IV. Perchance the bald old eagle Looked on the wondrous sight; Still shuns that hallowed spot; For beast and bird have seen and heard V. And had he not high honor, The hillside for his pall, To lie in state while angels wait, And the dark rock-pines like tossing plumes Over his bier to wave, And God's own hand, in that lonely land, To lay him in the grave? VI. O lonely tomb in Moab's land! O dark Bethpeor's hill! Speak to these curious hearts of ours And teach them to be still; God hath his mysteries of grace, Things which we cannot tell ; He hides them deep, like the secret sleep Of him he loved so well. C. F. Alexander. 119 Abridged. XLII. CAPTURE OF TICONDEROGA. THE - HE men were now drawn up in three ranks, and as the first beams of morning broke upon the mountain peaks Allen addressed them: "Friends and fellow-soldiers, We must this morning quit our pretensions to valor, or possess ourselves of this fortress; and inasmuch as it is a desperate attempt, I do not urge it on, contrary to will. You that will undertake voluntarily, poise your firelock." 2. At the word every firelock was poised. "Face to the right," cried Allen; and placing himself at the head of the centre file, Arnold keeping emulously at his side, he marched to the gate. It was shut, but the wicket was open. The sentry snapped a fuzee at him. The Americans rushed into the fort, darted upon the guards, and raising the Indian war-whoop, such as had not been heard there since the days of Montcalm, formed on the parade in hollow square, to face each of the barracks. 3. One of the sentries, after wounding an officer, and being slightly wounded himself, cried out for quarter, and showed the way to the apartment of the commanding officer. "Come forth instantly, or I will sacrifice the whole garrison," cried Ethan Allen, as he reached the door. At this, Delaplace, the commander, came out undressed, with some of his garments in his hand. 4. “Deliver me the fort instantly," said Allen. "By what authority?" asked Delaplace. "In the name of the great Jehovah, and the Continental Congress!" answered Allen. Delaplace began to speak again, but was peremptorily interrupted, and at sight of Allen's drawn sword near his head he gave up the garrison, ordering his men to be paraded without arms. 5. Thus was Ticonderoga taken in the gray of the morning of the 10th of May, 1775. What cost the British nation eight millions sterling, a succession of campaigns and many lives, was won in ten minutes by a few undisciplined men, without the loss of life or limb. Bancroft. |