Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-03-14
THE STORY.
RETURNING GOOD FOR EVIL.
By II. g. CHAPMAN.

Obediah Lawson and Watt Dood were
neighbors; that is, they lived within half
mile of each other, and no person lived
between their respective farms, which
would have Joined. had not little strip
of prairie land extended itself sufficient
I. " 10 keep them separate. Dood was
HE Oldest settler, and from his youth up
had entertained singular hatred against
Quakers, therefore, when he was in
formed that Lawson, regular disciple
of that class of people, had purchased the
hext farm TO his, he declared he would
,nake him glad TO move away again.
Accordingly, system of petty annoy
anccs was commenced by him, and every
si.ne one of Lawson's hogs chanced to
stray upon Dood's place, he was besel
by men and dogs, and most savagely
abused, 81 the Quaker, a man of decidedly
peace principles, appeared in no way to
resent The injuries received at the hands
Of his spleful neighbor. But matters
were drawing 10 crisis; for Dood enrag-
ed more than ever at the quiet of Obe-
diah, made oath that he would do some
Thing before long TO W axe up the spunk
Of Lawson. Chance favored bis design.
The Quaker had high-blooded filly.
which he had been very careful in rais-
ing. and which was just four years old.
Lawson took great pride IN this animal,
and had refused large sum of money
for her. ......i. .s..
One evening little after sunGown, as
Watt Dood was passing around his corn
field, he discovered the filly feeding in
the little strip of prairie land that separ-
ated the two farms, and he conceived the
Lellish design of throwing off two or
ahree rails of his fence, that the horse
might get into his corn during the night.
He did so, and the next morning, brigh,
aud early, he shouldered his rifle and
ier, the house. Not long after his alb
sence, hired man, whom he had re-
Gently employed, heard the echo of his
gun, and in a few minutes Dood, consid-
erably excited and out Of breath came
hnrryin 10 the house, where he stated
that he had shot at and wounded buck;
shat the deer attacked him, and he hardly
escaped with life.
This story was credited by all but the
newly employed hand, who had taken a
dislike TO Watt, and, from his manner
suspicioned that something was wrong
lie therefore slipped ruietly away from
the house, and going through the field IN
the direction of the shot, he suddenly
came upon Lawson's 6lly, stretched up
on the earth, with bullet-hole through
her head, from which the warm blood
was still oozing. a.f... ..
Z The animal was warm, and could no
have been killed an hour. He hastenet
back to the dwelling OF Dood, who me-
him in the yard, and demanded, some
what roughly, where he had been. -
= "Ive been to see if your bullet made
sure work of Mr.. Lawson's illy," wa.
the insiapt reiort. -.. s.. .t......g. z
Wat, paled for moment, but collcc
ting himself, he fieicely shouted,
.Do you dare say killed her!"
7 allow do you know she is dead!" re
piled the man. .e,.--a..
= Dood bit his lip, hesi,a,ed moment
and then turning, walked into the house
A couple of days passed by, and th'
morning of the third one had broken. a
the hired man met friend Lawson, riding
in search of his flly. s....
A few words of explanation ensued
when with heavy heart, the Quake
turned his horse and rode home, wher
he informed the people of the fate of hi
fiily. No threat of recrimina,ion es
capped him; he did not even 60 to law t
recover damages; but calmly awaited hi
plan and horr of revenge. 1t came a
last. A@ s..r.
aa Watt Dood had Durham helfer, fo
which he lad paid heavy price, an
upon which he counted TO make grca
gaius. ~-.
= One morning, just as Obediah wa
sitting down, his eldest son came in wit
the information that neighbor Dood'
7 heifer had broken down the fence, en-
tered the yard, and after eating most Q
the cabbages, had trampled the well
made beds and the vegetables they con
tanned, out of all shapes-a mischie
impossible to repair.
f"And what did thee do with hel
Jacob!" quietly asked Obediah.
sw ~ pat her in the farm-yard."
"Did thee beat herr
81 never struck her a blow" ."
.'Right, Jacob-right; sit down to tn
rfl.o.LCoet aud whon done eafinU j WI