The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-09-22
Terrible Retribution.
sroRr OF A rAIrnrpLrDoG.

About fifty years ago. in the western part
Of the State of New York, lived u 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. .....,. ...........r. ...... .
And thus the old lady lived alone in her
house by day and by night. Yet in her con.
scious innocency and trust in Providence,
she felt safe and cheerful did her work
quietly during the daylight, and at eycntide
lay down and slept sweetly. .......
One morning, however, she awoke with
an extraordinary and unwonted 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 at home that day, but must go abroad
to give vent TO it, by unbospmipg herself to
her friends, especially to 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 us often repeated her assurances
that the good mother had never done injury
to any person, and added. | cannot think
any one would hurt you, for you have not
an enemy in the world. y .' 30, .r.b "'. d.
AS. the day was declining, Mrs. Mozhcr
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 thel last house before she
reached her own. Here she again made
known her continued apprchension', which
had nearly ripencd into fear, and from the
lady of the mansion she received answers
similar to those OF her daughter: You have
harmed no one in yonr whole lifetime -
surely no one will disturb or molest you /,
90 home in quiet, and Rover shall 60 with
you. Here Rover, (said she TO stout watch.
dog that lay on the aoor,) 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 an Instant
When she was fairly in bed, he laid himself
down upon the out ,ide Of the bed; and us
the widow relied on his fidelity, and perhaps
child herself for needless fear. she fell asleep.
Sometime in The night she awoke, being
startled, probably, by a slight noise outside
the house. II was 80 slight, however, that
she was not aware Of being startled at all,
but heard, Us soon as she awoke o 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, us he
made violent spring from the bed md at
the same instant something fell on the floor
sounding. like the fall Of a'hcavy log. Then
followed. other noises, like the paving OF
the dogs feet; but soon all was still again,
and thedog resumed his place on the bed
without having barked or growled at all
This time the widow did not go to sleep
Immediately = but lay awake wondering,
yet not deeming it best to get up. But al
last she dropped asleep, and when she awokc,
the sun was shining. She hastily stepped
out of bed - and there lay the body of
man extended on the floor, dead, with large
knife in his hand which was even now ex-
tended. Tho dog had seized him by the
throat with The grasp Of death; and neither
man nor dog could utter a sound till all was
over. The man was the widows son.in.law,
the husband Of her only daughter. lie
coveted her little store of wealth, her house,
her cattle and her land Aud instigated BY
This sordid inratience, he could not wait for
the decay Of nature to give her property up
to him aud his, us the only heirs apparent =
but made this stealthy visit to do deed of
darkness in the gloom of the night. A
fearful retribution waited for him. The
widows apprchensions, communicated to!
her mind alid impressed upon her nerves
by what unseen power We know not = the
sympathy of the other woman who loaned
her dog and the silen, but certain watch
Of the dog hiinself-formed chain Of events
which brought the murderer's blood upon
his own head, and which are difficult to be-
explained, without reference e that Proyi.
dence or oyerruling power which numbers
the hairs Of our heads, watches the spar.
rows fall, and /" shapes our ends, rough liew
them as we will" ...f....
This is one Of Uncle Toby's stories; and
is derived, rs to all its facts, from most
respectable Quaker family, whose yeracity
he cannot doubt.-Porismouh Chroniele.