IN THE POULTRY YARD. 93 
the papers in the suit, and also a notice to show cause why I 
should not be “enjo‘ned” from diverting the stream, as they put 
it, but I noticed that the attorney in the case was not the one 
with whom I had had an interview. He had evidently advised his 
client not to enter the suit. It cost me a small retainer to my 
lawyer, who put in an appearance for me, but the case was aban- 
doned and I never heard any more of it. 
One most gratifying circumstance through all this ight was the 
sympathy and good feeling extended towards me by all the neigh- 
bors. ‘These rude dwellers on the hillsides had little sympathy 
with any man that “put on airs,” and when it went so far as to 
make his neighbors sick, they were “down” on him, as they ex- 
pressed it. ‘This little episode brought me into closer connection 
with the people around me than anything else could have done. 
The stream now flows through my neighbor’s ponds and foun- 
tains, but “ Nabal” is not my neighbor. “ Nabal” was so deeply 
chagrined over his defeat, that he took matters greatly to lieart. 
He who had lorded it so over all the hillside was now beaten. 
But worse than that; securities which he considered as sound 
as United States notes went from above par down to the tens. 
He sold out, and the loss so curtailed his income that he could 
not maintain his country-seat. He disposed of the property 
ata great sacrifice, and another now occupies his place. That 
other is a “ Nabal” only in one particular; he has a most excellent 
wife. 
When I gave Nettie an account of all this she was greatly 
pleased, although she felt very sorry for “ Abigail.” 
We divide the water between us; there is enough for both when 
properly managed. And so it came to pass that a never-failing 
stream of clear, pure water flows past my coops and through my 
yards, and this I regard as one of the most important of the many 
items which .go to form the elements of my success. 
