The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1854-11-18
A Story of a Faithful Dog.
PRLAoSIroRY wARSISG.

rALAONIloE WAkSiSb-
The following story is said, by the Ports.
mouth Chronicle, to be derived, as to all its
facts, from most respectable Quaker family,
whose vsracity 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 daugh-
ter was grown up and married, living at the
distance of q mile or two from the family
mansion.
"And thus tue old lady lived alone in her
house by day and night Yet in her con-
scious innocence and trust in Providence,
she felt safe and cheerful--did her work
quietly during the sy-light, and at eventide
slept sweetly. D
Zone morning, however she awokc with
an extraordinary and unwontcd gloom upon
her mind, which was impressed with the
apprehension that something strange was
about to happen to her or hers. So full was
she Of this thought that she could not stay
a thomc that day, but must go 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,
tai of her apprchensions. The daughter as Of
ten repeated the assurances that the good
mother had never done injury to any person,
and added, II cannot think any one would
hurt you, for YOU have not an enemy in the
world"
"As the day was declining, Mrs. Mozher
sought her home, but expressed the same
feelings as she left her daughters house
L., Il II,
Dor, who lived in the last house before she
reached her own. Here she again made
known her continued apprehensions, which
had nearly ripcncd 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 lifctime no one
will mocst you. Go home in quiet and
Rover shall 20 with you. "llere, Rover"
said she to a stout Watchdog that lay on tho
floor, here, Rover, 60 home with Mrs
Mo2her and take care Of her" Rover did
as he was told The widow went home,
milked 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 her
self for needless fear, she fell asleep. Some
time in the night she awokc, being startled,
probably, by q slight noise outside the house
II was so slight however, that she was not
aware ofbeing startled at all, but heard, as
soon as she awokc, q sound like the raising
of a window near her bed, which was in
room on the ground floor
''Thc dog neither barkcd nor moved. Next
there was another sound, as if some one was
in the room and stepped cautiously on tho
floor. The woman saw nothing, but now for
the first time felt the dog move, as he made
n violent spring from the bed, and at tho
same moment something fell on the floor.
sounding like a heavy log Then followed
other noises like the paving Of a dogs feet;
but soon all was still again, and the dog re.
sumcd his place on the bed without having
barkcd or growled at ALL
'This time the widow did not 20 to sleep
Immediately, but lay awake wondering, vet
not dccmiug il best 20 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 man cx-
tended Oh 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 ard neither man nor dog
could utter a sound till all was over. This
man was the widows son-in.law, the hus.
bad ofher only daughter. lie coveted her
little store Of wealth, her house, her cattle
and her land and instigated by this sordd
impatience, 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
stcalthy visit 10 do deed of darkness in the
gloom of the night. A fearful retrbution
waited for him. The widows apprehcnsions,
communicated to her mind ard 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 cf
events which brought the murdercr's blood
upon his own head, and which are difficult
to be explained, without reference to that
Providence or ovcrruling which numbers the
hairs of our heads watches the sparrow's
fall, and shapes our ends, rough hcw thom
as we will"