Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1854-12-23
i story of a Faithful Dog.


mouth Chronicle. To he derived, as To all
lis facts, from most respectable Qnaker
family, whose veracity cannot he doubted.
About fifly years ago, IL the western
part of the Stale OF New York, lived .
lonely widow, named Mozher. Her hus-
band had been dead many years. and her
daughter was grown up, and married, Ilv-
ing at the distance of a mile or two from
The family mansion.
And thus The old lady lived alone in
her house day and night. Yet III her
conscious innocence and trust IN Prori-
dence, she fell safe and cheeriul-did her
work qui, tly during the day light, and az
eyenlide slept sweely.
.One morning, however, she awohe
with an extraordinary and unwontcd
gloom upon her mind, which was impress
sed with The apprehension that something
strange was about TO happen 10 her or
hers. So full was she OF this though!
that she could not stay at home that day,
but must 90 abroad 10 give vent To 1t by
unbOsomng herself TO her friends, eSpecI.
aly to her daughter. With her she spent
tie greater part Of the day, aud 10 her sho
repeated several times the recital OF her
appreh,nsions. The daughter us often
repeating the assurances that the good
mother had never done injury to any per-
son. and added, Il cannot think any one
would hurt you, for you have not an enr-
my in the world
As the dav was declining, Mrs. Mozher
sought her home. but expressed the same
feelings as she left her daughters house.
"Ou her way home she called on "A
neighbor who lived ia the last house be
fore she reached her own. Here she u
gain made known her continued appre-
tensions, 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
moest you. Go home in quiet, and Ro-
yer shall 90 with you. Here Rover"
said she TO IA stout watchdog that lay on
the floor, 'here, Rover, 90 home with
/ Mrs. Mozher, ard take care of her. Ro-
yer did as he was told. The widow went
home, MIXED her cows, took care OF eve
rything out Of doors. and went TO bed as
usual. Rover had not left her for an ~
slant. When she was fairly in bed, no
laid down upon The outside OF the bed, and
as the widow relied on his fidelity, and
perhaps chld herself for needless fear, she
fell asleep. Sometime in the night sau
awoke, being startled, probably, by a
slight noise outside the house. II was so
slight, however, thai she was not aware
OF being startled at all, but heard, as soon
as she awoke, a sound like The rising of a
window near her bed, which was IN a
room on the ground floor"
The dog neither barked or moved.
Next there was another sound, as il some
one was in the room and stepped cautious
ly on the floor. The woman saw moth
ing, but now for the first time felt the dog
move, as he made a violent spring from
The bed. and at the same moment some
ibing feA on The floor, sounding Ike hea-
Wy log. Then followed other noises,
like the paving Of dogs feet hut soon
all was still again, aud the dog resumed
his place on the bed without having bark
ed or growIed al all.
This time the " idow did not 60 10 sleep
Immediately, bu, lay awake wondering.
yet not deeming it best TO get up. But at
las. she dropped asleep and when she a.
woke The sun was shining. She hastily
stepped ont Of bed. and there lay the body
Of man extended on the floor, dead, with
large knife ~ his hand, which even now
extended. The dog had seized him ~
the throat with grasp Of death, and'nei-
ther man or dog could plIer sound I'LL
all was over. fh,s man was The widows
sOn-In.iaw, the husband OF her only
daughter. lie coveted her IiiAe store OK
wealth. her hOuse. her cattle, ard her
hand; and insiigated by this sor!ld lmpa-
tience, he could not wal, Tor the decay of
nature 20 give her property up io him ani
his, as the only heirs apparent, bn, made
this slealIhy visit 10 do deed Of dar xness
in the gloom OF the night A fearfnI ret
rlbution awaited him. The widows sp-
prehensions, communicated 10 her MUD
and lmpns SEED upon her nerves. by what
unseen power we know not. he synpa-
Thy OF TIE woman who loaned The dog,
and he silent bu. certain wah;h Of the d'g
himself, formed a chain Of events ~hirh
brought the n,urleFer's Blood upOn hIs
own head, and which are difficult To he
explained. without reference I'D tina, over
ruling Providence which numbeTs Ihe
hairs Of our heads, watches the rPauow's
fall, and shapes our deeds, rough hew
then as we viii
Aunt Kosy was dividing GiHce PIC