Poor John Bore No Malice In His Heart, Not He; For, In Spite Of
All The Ill-Natured Things He Had To Endure From Uncle Joe And His
Family, He Never Attempted To Return Evil For Evil.
In proof of
this, he was one day chopping firewood in the bush, at some distance
from Joe, who
Was engaged in the same employment with another man.
A tree in falling caught upon another, which, although a very large
maple, was hollow and very much decayed, and liable to be blown down
by the least shock of the wind. The tree hung directly over the path
that Uncle Joe was obliged to traverse daily with his team. He
looked up, and perceived, from the situation it occupied, that it
was necessary for his own safety to cut it down; but he lacked
courage to undertake so hazardous a job, which might be attended,
if the supporting tree gave way during the operation, with very
serious consequences. In a careless tone, he called to his companion
to cut down the tree.
"Do it yourself, H - -," said the axe man, with a grin. "My wife and
children want their man as much as your Hannah wants you."
"I'll not put axe to it," quoth Joe. Then, making signs to his
comrade to hold his tongue, he shouted to Monaghan, "Hollo, boy!
you're wanted here to cut down this tree. Don't you see that your
master's cattle might be killed if they should happen to pass under
it, and it should fall upon them."
"Thrue for you, Masther Joe; but your own cattle would have the
first chance.
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