The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-05-01

acquainted with him until the time OF
her marriage; but, the familiarity arising
from his weekly visit to her house, and
the cordiality with which, ,,hcr husband
inyaribly received him., now inspired
her, with more confidence towards him,
than from his looks she would have OH.
crwise have done. -a,s IA, y.-sr
II anu so glad you are comc!!' said
Mrs, Pollard as tho butcher entered
her dwelling. .us'John las gone to see.
his lathcr who issnot eNrecs sei to live,
and will not return Until tn morrow;
and Lam nearly frightened to death;
for we have got more than a hundred:
spvcrcigns i'll the house, and if an.,' Of
them robbers ere to come the, would
murlcr me. Won't YOU sta" aud keen
me company until John comes 5ark!'
During the first lart Of this address.
Gpnfrey did not arpcarto listen WITH
much APPARENT interest; hut the M
menu Mrs. Pnllard mentioned the nc.
,ney, ms fac, assumed az expression "f
singular imror., and his grcN sNes E4sl,.
ed quick glances from beneath his Ecnt
and Shaggy brows as though sonetl.i'l:"
Lad suddenly moved him. LIN very
s,rry," he rcl.licd, and srcakiny in i,
slow, delibcrativc tonc-'but l cannot
possibly stay-I'vc gutto call at two o.!
three more places with meat, yet, and
be ore l could return it would lc PAST
midnight. But l tell You what / will
.-thcr's Dash-a better dog never
livcd-I'll leave him with you: and III
agree to forfeit my head if lie lets any
one enter the house while he's here.
With many thanks Mrs. Pollard ac-
ceptcd his offer; for she had often heard
her husband speak of the courage and
sagacity of the animal in question.
Stay here" said Gonlrcy, now, as
he looked at his dog, and, pointed with
in the room with his fingers, land sec
that you don't let any one come near"
The dog, which was very large one,
and of the breed called "NIastiil,." an
swercd this command Of his master by
wagging his tail two or three times,
and looking up into his face with an in.
tclligent expression; and the next mo-
mcnt crouching down by the side of
Mrs. Pollard, stretched himself at full
length on the hearth, as though at
home.
When the butcher had departed,
Mrs. Pollard began to caress the dog,
and for long time cndcavored to at
tract his notice; but in vain, he contin-
ued to lie mute and motionless, as though
devoid of life. This circumstance rails
ed her fears anew; for she began to think
that if the dog lay thus passive now, he
would do so if any one CHANGED to come
to the place. Again she renewed her
carcsscs. and finally offered him piece
CT meat; but still with tLc same success;
the dog would neither appear to recog-
nize her presence, nor would he touch
the meat.
The Toulouse consisted of two
rooms, with only one door Of entrance,
and which was at the frcnt. The back
apartment was used as Il bedroom, and
was Ii GIFTED by small window at TIC
foot uf the bed. The front one had two
windows; to!erab.y large. one near the
door, and small lattice whose diamond
shaped SQUARES of glass were encasrd
within thin plates OF lead. TO none of
the windows were there any shutters,
with the exception OF the one i'll the bel-
room.
at the usual time Mrs. Pollard re-
tired to rest, but in vain cndcavorcd t.
SLEEP; the dog still remaining in the
same inmovablc position as when his
master left him.
The night was more chill and drca-
ry than hal been the day. The fal,
ling Of snow lad given lace to a hco.
w storm Of comming!cd slcet md ,a;l,
which the winl now blew a4ains
the easement with terrible furce-al.
most appearing us though it would raise
the house from its very foundation. 1t
seemed a fitting night for deeds of blood,
Mrs. Pollard lay in her bed trembling.
as her terror at each reptition Of the
keen blast increased. Stories Of rob
berry and bloodshcd, which she had
heard years ago, now rushed through
her mind with vivid distinctncss; and
her imagination increased their enormi-
ty thousand fold.
She lay thus unable 10 sleep, until,
as near as she could guess, about mid.
night, when she thought she heard the
sound of single footstcp outside the