Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-07-20
OHIO. WEDNESDAY. JULY 20, 1864.
KILLING AN ENEMY.

h1LLlNG AIN Elm EM l.
That man viii be the death Of me yet,
said Paul lowering. ~ .. ...-..-.---7s
He looked worried but not angry ~.
Thee means Dick HardyP ,.t ...-.
! Yes XII. F..
What has he been doing to thee now?
The questioner was Friend named
Isaac Martina neighbor. ..-..-a ..
He always doing something, friend
Martin Scarcely day passes that don't
have a complaint of him, Yesterday, one
of the boys told me that he saw him
throw a stone at my new Durham COW,
and strike her on the head az.
That's very bad, friend Levering.-
Does thee know why he did this? Was
| thy Durham tresspassing on his grounds!
No, she was only looking over his fence,
He has spite against me and mine, and
does all he can to injure me. You know
the fine Bartlett pear tree that stands in
the corner of my lot adjoining his prop
erty? .....-. ..-,.-.
Yes ..... p.
Two large limbs, full of fruit. stretched
over on this side. You would hardly be-
lieve it, but it's true. | was out there
Just now, and discovered that he had saw
ed off these two fine limbs that hung over
on this side. They lay upon the ground,
and his pigs eating the fruit ~
why is Dick so spiteful to thee, friend
Levering? He doesn't annoy me. What
has thee done to him. .-- -....
Il know what first set him out. | kick
ed an ugly dog of his once. The beast,
halfstarved at home, | suppose, was all
the while prowling about here, and snatch
ing up every thing that came in his way.
One day came upon him suddenly, and
kicked him bowling through the gate
Unfortunately, as it turned out, the dogs
master happened to be passing along the
road. The way he swore at me was dread
tul. / never saw Il more yindictive face.
On the next morning, splendid New
foundland, that had raised from pup,
met me shivering at the door with his tail
cut off, don't know why felt SO badly.
Poor fellow. His piteous look haunts me
now. had no proof against Dick, but
never doubted as TO his agency in the
matter. In my grief and indignation. !
shot the poor dog, to put him out of my
sight -- 80.
Thee was hasty in that. friend lowering,
said the Quaker. -.--
Perhaps | was, though never repent
ed the act met Dick few days after
wards The grin of satisfaction on his
face accepted as acknowledgement of
his mean and cruel revenge. Within a
week from that time, one of my COWS had
n horn knocked off,
What did thee dor
Il went to Dick Hardy, and gave him
piece of my mind fe ---t
That ia, thee scolded, and called hard
names, and threatened r. r..
'Yes-iust so, friend Martin ~
Did any good come out of its'
About as much as if had whistled TO
the wind
How has il been since?'
No change for the better. IL grows, if
anything. worse. Dick never grows weary
Of annoying me-.
Has thee ever tried the law with him,
friend lowering? The law should protect
thee
o yes, I've tried the law. Once he ran
his heavy wagon against my carriage, pur-
pOsely, and upset me in the road. L
made narrow escape with my life. The
carriage was so badly broken that it cost
me fifty dollars for repairs. A neighbor
saw the whold thing, and it was plainly
intended by Dick. So | sent him the
carriage-msker's bill, at which he got into
a towering passion. Then threatened
him with prosecution, and he laughed in
my face Indignantly. l felt that the
time had come to act decisively, and sued
him, relying on the evidence of my neigh
Dor who had seen the affair. But my
neighbor was afraid of Dick, and so word
ed his testimony that the jury saw only
an accident instead Of purpose to ipjure,
and gave their verdict accordingly. Af-
ter that, Dick Hardy was worse than ev-
er He took an evil delight in annoying
me. | am satisfied that in more than one
instance he left gaps in his fences in or
der to entice my cattle into his fields, that
he might set his savage dogs on them,
and hurt them with stones. 1t is more
than 4 child of mine dares, to cross his
premises. Only last week he tried to put
his dog on my little Florence, who had
strayed into his fields after buttercups.-I
The dog was less cruel than his master, or
she would have been torn by his teeth,
instead of only frightened by his bark.
It's hard case, truly, friend LeYering
Our neighbor Hardy seems possessed of
an evil spirit 4
The very spirit of the DEVIL was ans
wered. with feeling.
He's tiny enemy, assuredly; and If thee
doesn't get rid of him he will do thee
greater HARM
L wish could get rid of him.
Thee must if thee would dwell in safe
ty, friend Levering.
The Quaker's face was growing very Sc
rious He spoke in lower voice, and
bent towards his neighbor in con6den-
tisl manner.
s. Thee must put him out Of the way
Friend Martini The surprise of Paul
lowering was unfeigned.
Thee must kill him.
Kill him?' he CALCULATED.
IF thee don't kill him he'll kill thee,
one Of these days, friend LeverIng. And
thee knows what is said about self pres
ervation being the first law of nature
And get hung --i
Il don't think they'll hang thee, coolly
the Quaker. Thee can go over
to his house, and get him all alone by thy
self. Or, thee can meet him in some by |
road. Nobody need see thee; and when
he's dead. think people will be more
glad than sorry. Thee needn't fear any
bad consequences.
DO you think | am no better than a
murderer Levering's astonishment pass
ed to horror and indignation. Il, Paul
Levering, stain my hands with blood p
Who said anything about staining thy
hands with blood?'
The Quaker was impertubable.
Why, your
'Thee's mistaken; never used the
word blood
But you meant it. You suggested
No, friend lowering; l asked thee 10
kill thy enemy, lest some day he should |
Z Ill fhnn IL = -