Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-05-01

torn part of Sew York, there lived
q lonely widow, Mozher. Her hus-
band had been dead many years, and
her only daughter was grown up and
married, living ut the distance of a
mile or two from the old family man
sion.
And thus tho old lady lived alone
day and night. Yet In her conscious
innocence and trust In Providence,
she felt safe and checriul--did her
work quietly during the daylight, and
nt cvcntime slept swoctly.
One morning, however, she awoke
with an extraordinary and unwonted
gloom upon her mind, which was inn
pressed with the idea that something
strange was going TO happen TO her or
hers. So full was sho of this thought
that she could not stay az homo that
day, but must go abroad TO give vent
toit, unbosoming herselftoher friends
especially her daughter. With her
she remained most of the day, repea-
ting several times the recital Of her
apprehonsions The daughter as of.
ten repeated tho assurance that her
good mother had never done injury
to any person, and finally added,
~ cannot think any one would
hurt you, for you have not an enemy
In tho world.
On her road homo she callcd on Q
neighbor, who lived IN tho last hous.
before she reached her own. Here
she made known her continued ap.
prehcnsions, which had nearly ripen.
cd into foar, and from the lady Of the
mansion she received answers similar
TO those Of her daughter.
"You have harmed no ono in your
whole lliotime-surely no one will
molest you. Go homo In quiet, and
Rover shall 60 with you. Here, Ro-
yer" said she 10 n stout Watchdog
that lay on tho floor, "here, Rover, ge
homo with Mrs. Mozher and takofare
Of her."
Rover did as ho was told. The wild
ow went home, MIXED her cows, took
care Of everything out of doors, and
went TO bed as usual. Rover had not
left horior on instant. When she was
fairly in bed. he laid himself down up
on the outside; and as tho widow re-
lied upon his fldelity, and perhaps
chid herself for needless fear, she fel
asleep. Sometime In the night sh,
awolSe, being startled, probably, by i
.If - :. k.f.,.. ,...fst.laft Ia,aa n M.
so slight, however, that she was moi
aware Of being startled at all bul
heard, as soon as she was awake, d
sound like tho raising of n window
near her bed, which was In q room on
tho ground floor
Tho dog neither moved nor barlxod
Next, there was another sound, as i
some ono was in tho room, and stop
ped cautiously on the floor. The wo
man saw nothing, but, for tho frs
time, felt the dog move, as he made I
violent spring from the bod, and, n
the Same moment, something fell &
the floor, sounding like a heavy log
Then followed other noises, like Oh,
paving of dogs feet; but soon al
was still again, and the dog resumed
his place on the bed without having
barked or growled
This tlmo the widow did not 20 4
sloep Immediately, but lay awal<,
wondering, yet not decmIng IL best q
get up. But at last she awoko, nm,
the sun was shining. She hastily step
ped out of bed, and thorel lay the bod,
Of n man stretched on tho iioor, dead
with largo knife in his hnnd, whiel
was even now extended. The do,
had seized him by tho throat will
q death grasp, and neither man no
beast could utter n sound till all wa
over. This man was the widow
son law, the husband of her onl,
daughter. lie coveted her little stor
of wealth, her house, her cattle, AM
her land; and instigated by his sordl'
impatienee. be could not wait ior Oh
decay Of nature TO give up her prop
erty 10 him and his, as the only heirs
apparent, but mndc this stealthy viai
TO do a deed Of darkness In the gloon
OF the night. A fearful retributiol
awaited him. Tho widows apprc
honAiona, communicated 10 her mine
and impressed upon her ncrveg b,
what unseen power we know not, Oh
sympathy OF woman who loaned he
tho dog, and the silent but ccrtai
watch Of the dog, formed chain 6
events which brought the murderer
blood upon his own head, and While
arc difficult TO be explained wlthou
reference 20 that Providence whic
numbers the hairs ofour heads, wntcl
es the sparrows fall, and "shapes on
ends, rough hew them as wo wlll.e-
Harper's Weekly.