Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-06-07


murder me. Won't you stop and keep me COM
pany until John comes back I"
During the first part of this address, Gonfrey did
not appear to listen with much apparent interest
but the moment Mrs Pollard mentioned the mo-
ney, his face assumed an expression of singular
import, and his grey eyes flashed quick glances
from beneath his pert and shaggy brows, as though
something had suddenly moved him. :" am very
sorry he replied--and speaking in low, delib-
erative tone" but cannot possibly stay--Ive
got to call at two three more places with meat
yet; and before I could return it would be past
midnight But tell you what will do-there's
Dash-a better dog never lived--I'll leave him
with you, and I'll agree to forfeit my head ifhe lets
any one enter the house while he is there"
With many thanks, Mrs. Pollard accepted his
offer for she had heard her husband speak of the
courage and sagacity of the animal in question.
Stay here,' said Gonfrey now, as he looked at
his dog, and pointed within the room with his fin
ger, and see that you don't let any one come
near"
The dog, which was very large one, one of
the breed called mastiff," answered this COM
mand of his master by wagging his tail two or
three times, and looking up into his face with an
intelligent expression; and the next moment
crouching down by the side of Mrs. Pollard,
stretched himself at full length upon the hearth as
though at home.
| When the butcher had departed, Mrs. Pollard
began to caress the dog, and for long time en-
deavored to attract his attention but in vain he
continued to lie mute and motionless as though
devoid life. This circumstance raised her fears
anew; for she began to think that if the dog lay
thus passive now, he would do so if any one
chanced to come near the place. Again she re-
newed her caresses and finally offered him piece
of meat but still with the same success the
dog would neither appear to recognize her pres
ence, nor would he touch the meat.
The toll house consisted of two rooms, will,
only one door or entrance, and which was at the
front.
] The back apartment was used as bed room
and was lighted by small window at the foot o
the bed. The front one had two windows toll
whose diamond shaped squares of glass were en-
cased within this with plates of lead To none o
the windows were there any shutters, with tn:
exception of the one in the bed room.
At the usual time Mrs. Pollard retired to rest
but in vain endeavored to sleep; the dog still re
naming in the same unmoveable position as whel
, his master left him.
} The night was more chill and dreary than hat
been the day The falling snow had given plac
5 te heavy snow storm of commingled sleet an
rain, which the wind now blew against the case
: ments with terrible force-almost appearing a
though it would raise the house from its very foun
e dation. 1t seemed fitting night for deeds 9
y blood Mrs. Pollard lay in her bed trembling a
t her terror at each repetition of the keen blast in
d creased. Stories ofrobbery and bloodshed, whic
she had heard years ago, now rushed through he
mind with vivid distinctness and her imaginatio
d increased their enormity hundred fold.
Q She lay thus, unable to sleep, until, as near a
i she could guess, about midnight, when she though
: she heard the sound of single footstep outsid
n the house. She partially raised herself, an
1t bending forward listened for continuance
i the sound with eager intentness. She soon hear
l. the step again, and this time distinctly. The
't now appeared to be quite near. She now listene
g for the dogs raising some alarm-but not tn
1t slightest movement did he seem to make. He
terror suddenly raised to great extent, at the
d mal's not taking notice Of the noise outside. Al
o other moment and she heard sound as of som
one removing the glass out of the small casemel
in the other room, Immediately followed by II
sharp click of the handle which fastened it on tt
- inside. turning round. Still the dog gave forth
d sound or indication Of what was going on.
r. Mrs Pollard was now almost frantic with e,
1t cess of fear, feeling assured that she must vi
in doubtedly in a few moments be murdered. Tt
y. perspiraton streamed from her in large cold drop
lie and her tongue seemed powerless to utter sing
m cry.
y AS we said, the dog had as yet given forth
n, sign of recognition but when, moment after Il
Is noise of the handles turning round was hear
'e some one seemed to be forcing through the ape
ture, he gave low growl followed by suddt
/ spring A shrill cry ofagony immed lately echos
IN Through the house, keen and startling as amo
to to chill the blood in Mrs. Pollard's veins. III
m cry was followed by the sound of fierce strugghn
re mingled with sharp cries, which each moment b
il came weaker, as of human being in the very e
d tfemest Of mortal pain and anguish and the dee