92 COMMON SENSE 
to drain it. Truly, Nettie was well avenged, and I did not feel 
sorry. 
But I knew that for a week or two, things would get worse in- 
stead of better, so I sent my wife and children off to a distant rela- 
tive, and gave the girl a vacation, telling her to stay away until I 
sent for hér. - 
It was not long before our friend missed the water, and rushed 
up to my door in a perfect rage. He wanted to Know how I had 
dared to change the natural course of a running stream, anid threat- 
ened all sorts of vengeance. I quietly ordered him off the prémises, 
telling him that the spring was mine, and I coukl do with it what 
I pleased. He refused to go, telling me that I could not put him 
off. Of course he meant physically, which was quite trué, but 
there were others on the premises that could. It was to me a 
matter of no consequence how long he staid; he could not undo 
what I had done, and I felt satisfied. So I simply shut the door 
in his face and walked into the house. I knew that if he did any 
damage he could be made to pay for it. 
After a few minutes he walked away, and next day I received a: 
letter from his lawyer, notifying me that if I did’ not restore the 
stream to what he called its proper channel, he was instructed to 
begin suit at once. As his adviser had the reputation of being a 
very able lawyer and a perfect gentleman, I thought it best to call 
on him and explain. He was evidently a little surprised when I gave 
him the facts in the case, though, with a lawyer’s caution and shrewd-' 
ness, he would not acknowledge that his client had made a mistake. 
Next day I received another letter, asking me to call if convénient. 
I made it convenient. The lawyer explained to me the great ex- 
pense to which his client had gone to fit up his place, the beauty 
of which was greatly marred by my action. He stated that his 
client had directed him to institute a suit for damages, but wishing 
to avoid troublé he wanted to know if I would not restore the water 
to’ its former channel, provided guarantees were given that no nuis- 
ance ‘should be allowed. I positively refused. I told him that I 
wanted the water for my own use, and that I would not trust his 
client under any circumstances. In due time I was served’ with 
