Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-11-17
Terrible Retributiom.
a sroRY on 4 FAIrnFrL DOG.

About fifty years ago, in the western
part Of the State Of New York, lived a
lonely widow named Mozher Her hus-
band had been dead for many years. her
only daughter was grown up and married,
living at the distance Of mile or two from
the family mansion.
And thus the old lady lived alone in her
house by day and night Yet in her con-
scious innocence and trusL in Providence,
she felt safe aud cheerful; did her work
quietly during the daylight, and at eventlde
lay down and slept sweetly.
One morning, however, she swoke with
an extraordinary and unwonted gloom up
on her mind, which was impressed with the
apprehension that something strange was
about to happen 10 her or hers, So full
was she Of this thought that ahe could not
| stay at home that day, but must go abroad
to give vent to it, by unbosoming herself to
her friends, especialIY4to her daughter
With her she spen. the greater 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 in
jury to any person, and added, cannot
think any one would hurt you, for you have
not an enemy in the world.
| As the day waa declining, Mrs Mozher
sought her home, but expressed the same
feeling as she left her daughters house.
On the 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 apprehensions, which
bad 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 life time,
surely no one will disturb or molcst you, go
home in quiet, and Rover shall 90 with
you. Here Rover, (said she to stout
watch dog that lay on the floor,) here Ro-
yer, 90 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 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 need
less fear, she fell asleep. Sometime in the
night she awoke, being startled, probably,
by slight noise outside the house. twas
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 a room
on the ground floor. The dog neither bark.
ed nor moved. Next there was another
sound, as if some one was in the room and
stepped cautiously on the floor. The wo-
man saw nothing; but now for the first
time felt the dog move. as he made VIC
lent spring from the bed; and at the same
instant something fell on the floor, sounding
like heavy log. Then followed other nois-
es, like the paving of the dogs feet; but
soon all was still again, and the dog resum-
ed his place on the bed without having
barked or growled at all.
This time the widow did not 90 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 ex-
tended. The dog had seized him by the
throat with the grasp Of death; and Meth.
er man nor dog could utter sound till all
was over. The 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 nsti,
gated 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 stealihy visit
to do deed of darkness in the gloom of
the night A fearful retribution waited for
him. The widows apprchensons. commu-
nicated to her mind and impressed upon
her nerves by what unseen power we know
not, the sympathy of the other woman who
loaned her the dog. and the silent but Ger.
tain watch of the dog himself. formed a
chain Of events which brought the murder
er's blood upon his own head. and which
are difficult to be explained. without refer
ence TO that Providence or overruling pow
er which numbers the hairs of our heads,
watches the sparrows fall, and shapes our
ends, rough hew them as we will
This is one of uncle Toby's stories; and
is derived. as to all its facts. from most
respectable Quaker family, whose veracity
he cannot doubt Portsmouth, Chronicle.
| lRemiuiSceucn Of tho ReVnYuf ion