Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-04
A story of a Faithful Dog.
rREMoNIroRY WARNING.


The following story is said, by the Ports
mouth Chronicle, to be derived, as to all its
facts, from most respectable Quaker family,
whose veracity cannot be doubted;
"About fifty years ago, in the western part
Of the State Of New York, lived lonely widow,
named Mozher. Her husband had been dead
many years, and her only daughter was grown
up and married, living at the distance of q
mile or two from the family mansion.
And thus the old lady lived alone in her
house by day and night. Yet in her conscious
innocence and trust in Providence, she felt
safe and cheerful-did her work quietly during
the daylight, and at eyentide slept sweetly.
"One morning, however, she awoke with an
extraordinary and unwonted gloom upon her
mind, which was impressed with the apprehen-
sion that something strange was about to hap
pen to her or hers. So full was she Of this
thought that she could not stay at home that
day, but must 60 abroad to give vent to it, by
unbosoming herself to her friends, especially
to her daughter. With her she spent the
greater part Of the day, and to her she several
times repeated the recital of her apprehensions.
The daughter as often repeated the assurances
that the good mother had never done injury to
any person, and added, j cannot think any one
would hurt you, for you have not an enemy in
the world
Gas the day was declining, Mrs. Mozher
sought her home, but expressed the same feel
ings as she left her daughters house.
son her way home, she called on neigh
Dor, who lived in the last house before she
reached her own. Here she again made known
her continued approximations, which had nearly
ripened into fear, and from the lady of the
mansion she received answers similar to those
of her daughter. You have harmed no one
in your whole lifetime, surely no one will mo-
lest you. Go home in quiet, and Rover shall
60 with you. Here, Rover said she to stout
Watchdog that lay on the floor, here, Rover,
go home with Mrs. Mozier, and take care OF
her. Rover did as he was told. The widow
went home, MIXED her cows, took care of
everything out of doors, and went to bed as
usual. Rover had not left her for an instant
When she was fairly in bed, he laid himself
down upon the outside Of the bed, and as the
widow relied on his fidelity, and perhaps child
herself for needless fear, she fell asleep. Some
time in the night she awoke, being startled,
probably, by a slight noise outside the house.
1t was so slight, however, that she was not
aware of being startled at all, but heard, as
soon as she awoke, sound like the raising of
window near her bed, which was in room
on the ground floor.
@The dog neither barked nor moved. Next
there was another sound, as if some one was
in the room and stepped cautiously on the
floor. The woman saw nothing, but now for
the first time felt the dog move, as he made a
violent spring from the bed, and at the same
moment something fell on the floor, sounding
like heavy log. Then followed other noises,
like the paving OF a dogs feet; but soon all
was still again, and the dog resumed his place
on the bed without having barked or growled
at all.
"Ihis time the widow did not go to sleep
Immediately, but lay awake wondering, yet not
deeming it best to get up. But at last she
dropped asleep, and when she awoke the sun
was shining. She hastily stepped out of bed,
and there lay the body of a man extended on
the floor, dead, with large knife in his hand,
which was even now extended. The dog had
seized him by the throat with the grasp Of
death, and neither man nor dog could utter
sound till all was over. This man was the
widows son-in-law, the husband of her only
daughter. He coveted her little store Of
wealth, her house, her cattle, and her land;
and instigated by this sordid impotence, he
could not wait for the decay of nature to give
her property up to him and his, as the only
heirs apparent but made this stealthy visit to
do deed of darkness in the gloom of the
night A fearful retributon waited for him.
The widows apprehensions, communicated to
her mind and impressed upon her nerves by
what unseen power we know not, the sympathy
of the woman who loaned her dog, and the
silent but certain watch of the dog himself,
formed chain of events which brought the
murderer's blood upon his own head, and which
are difficult to be explained, without reference
to that Providence or overruling which mum.
bers the hairs of our heads, watches the spar.
rows fall, and shapes our deeds, rough hew
them as we will."'