The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-06-14

and the next moment crouchlng down by
the side of Mrs. Pollard, stretched him
self aE full length apon the earth, as though
at home.
When the butcher had departed, Mrs.
Pollard began to caress the dog, and for
long time endeav0red to attract his atten-
ton; but IN vain; he continued to lie mute
and motionless, as though devoid of 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 Glanced TO come near the place. A
gain she renewed her caresses, and finally
offered him piece of meat; but still with
the same success; the dog would neither
appear to recognize her presence, nor
would he touch the meat.
The dollhouse consisted Of two rooms,
with only one door or ent ance, and which
was at the front.
The back apartment was used as bed
room, and was lighted by small window
at the foot of the bed. The front one had
two windows; tolerably large one near
the door, and small lattice, whose dia-
mond shaped squares of glass were enca-
sed within this with plates of lead. To
none of the windows were there any shut
ters, with the 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 remained in the same immo-
vea6le position as when his master left
him.
The night was more chill and dreary
thu had been the day. The falling of
wv had given way to heavy storm of
lmmingled sheet and rain, which the
find blew against the easements with ter
fble force-almost appearing as though it
would raise the house from its very foun-
\ dation. 1t seemed a fitting night for deeds
of bloodl Mrs. Pollard lay in her bed
trembling as her terror at each repetition
ofthe keen blast increased. Stories of
rtbbery and bloodshed, which she had
hard years ago, now rushed through her
! nind with vivid distincness; and her ina
g'Qaton increased their enormity hun
dp6d fold.
She lay thus, unable to sleep, until as
near as she could guess, about midnight,
when she thought she heard the sound of
! a single footstep outside the house. She
partially raised herself and bending forward
listened for the continuance of the sound
with eager intensness. She soon heard the
step again, and this time distinctly. They
now appeared to be quite near. She now
listened for the dogs alarm-but not the
| slightest movement did he seem to make.
Her terror suddenly raised to a great ex-
tent, at the animals not taking notice of
the noise outside. Another moment, and
| she heard a sound as of some one remo-
wing the glass out of the small easement in
| the other room, Immediately followed bv
the sharp click ofthe handle, which fasten-
ed it on the inside, turning round. Still the
! dog gave forth no sound or indication of
what was going on.
| Mrs. Pollard was now almost frantic
with excess of fear, feeling assured that
she must undoubtedly in few moments
be murdered. The perspiration streamed
from her in large cold drops, and her
tongue seemed powerless to utter single
cry.
As we said, the dog had as yet given
forth no sign of recognition; but when a
moment after the noise of the handle's
| turning round was heard, some one SEEM
ed to be forcing through the aperture, he
gave a low growl followed by sudden
spring. A shrill cry ofagony immediate
ly echoed through the house, so keen and
startling as almost to chill the blood in
Mrs. Pollard's veins. The cry was fol-
| lowed by the sound of fierce struggling,
mingled with sharp cries, which each mo-
ment became weaker and weaker, as of a
human being In the very extremestef NOR
tai pain and anguish; and the deep mouth
ed baying of the dog. At length the strug-
gle ceased, and all became still as death,
When daylight appeared Mrs. Pollard
rose and dressed, with as much speed as
the weakness the terrors of the night had
oecasioned would permit. She then set
down by the window to await the appear
ance of ihe first person who might pass,
for she could not summon sufficient cour-
age to enter the other room alone. In a
short time teamster approached, whom
she hailed, and as soon as he had stopped
| near to where she was seated, told the
story of the previous nights adventure.
He instantly ran around to the side on
which was the lattice easement, and the
next moment returned with horror depict
ed on his countenance, as he exclaimed
my God, what a sight / have seen.' He
then got IN by the open window, at which
Mrs. Pollard had been seated, and led the
way to the room.
! And what an object was then presen-
ted to their view? Hanging on the sill OF
the easement, with the head and shoulders