Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1854-09-27
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NuMBEK 104I.
TERRIBLE RErR1nufroSs
sroRY OF A FAITHFUL DOG.

=
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
her only daughter was grown up and married, living
at the distance of mile or two from the family
mansion. - - z -.
And thus the old lady lived alone inher houseby
day and by night Yet in her conscious innocency
and trust in Providence she felt safe and cheerful;
did her work quietly during the dayiight and at
eventide lay down and slept sweetiy. - =
One morning, however, she awoke with an extra
ordinary and unwonted gloom upon her mind, which
was impressed with the apprehension that something
strange was about to happen to her or hers Sofulf
was she of this thought that she could not stay at
home that day, but must go abroad to give vent to
it by unbosoming herself to her friends, especially
to daughter. With her she spent the greatest part
of the day and to her she several times repeated
the recital of her apprehensions. The daughter as
often repeated her assurances that the good mother
had never done injury to any person, and added I
cannot think any one would hurt you for you have
not an enemy in the world
As the day declining, Mrs Mozher sought
her home but expressed the same feeling as she left
her daughters house.
On the way home she called on a neighbor who
lived in the last house before she reached her own.
Here she again made known her continued appre-
tensions, which had nearly ripened into fear, and
from the lady of the mansion received answers SIM
liar to those of her daughter: You have harmed no
turb you: go home in quiet and Rover shall go with
you. Here Rover, (said she to stout watchdog.
that lay on the 1oor) here Rover, 60 home with
Mrs. Mozher and take care of her. Rover did as
he was told; the widow went home, MIXED her
COWS, took care of every thing out of doors, and
went to bed as usual. Rover had not left her for
instant. When she was fairly in bed, he laid him.
self down upon the outside of the bed; and as the
widow relied on his fidelity, and perhaps child her
self for needless fcar she fell asleep. Sometime in
Al.
slight noise outside the house. 1t was so slight
however, that she was not aware of being startled
at all, but heard as soon she awoke, sonnd like
the raising of window near her bed, which was in
a room 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 violent
spring from the bed and at the same instant some
thing fell the hoor sounding like the fall of o
heavy log. Then followed other noises like the paw.
ing of the dogs feet; but soon all was still again,
and the dog resumed his place on tho bed without
having barked or growled at all.
This time the widow did not 60 to sleep immedi.
ately-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 therelay the body Of a man
extended 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 dog could utter a sound till all
was over The man was the widows son-n-law,
the husband of her only daughter. He coveted her
little store of wealth. her house. her cattle, and her
land. And instgated by this sordd impatience, he
could not wait for the decay of nature to give her
property up to him and his, the only heirs appa-
rent-but made this stealthy visit to do o deed of
darkness n the gloom of night. A fearful retrbu-
ton waited for him. The widows apprehensions
communicated to her mind and impressed upon her
nerves by what unseen power we know not-ths
sympathy of the old woman who loaned the dog
and the silent but certain watch of the dog himself
formed chain of events which brought the muir.
derers blood upon his own head, and which are diff
cult to be explained without reference to that prov.
idence overruling power which numbers the hairs
of our heads watches the sparrow fall and shapes
our ends rough hew them as we will"
This is one of Uncle foby's stories; and is derived
as to all its facts, from most respectable Quaker
family, whose veracity he cannot doubt.
Portsmouth, Chronicle.