The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-10-20

ing through the gate. Unfortunately, al
it has turned out, the dogs master hap.
pened to be passing along the road. Tht
way he swore at me was dreadful. I never
saw a more vindictive face. The mex
morning splendid Newfoundland, that
had raised from pup, met me shiverine
at the door, with his tail cut off! I dom
know when I have felt so badly. Pool
fellow! his piteous looks haunt me now
had no proof against Dick, but have
never doubted as to bis agency in the
matter. In my grief and indignation ]
shot the dog, and so put him out of my
sight"
"Thee was hasty in that, friend Lever.
ing," said the Quaker.
Perhaps l was, though l have never
repented the act. I met Dick few days
afterwards. The grin of satisfaction on his
face l accepted as an acknowledgment Of
his mean and cruel revenge. Within a
week from that time one of my COWS had
horn knocked off,"
"What did thee do?" S..
Il went to Dick Hardy and gave him a
piece of my mind"
"That is, thee scolded, and called hard
names, and threatened"
Yes-just so, friend Martin"
Did any good come of it ?'
'About as much good as if I had whis-
tied to the wind"
"How has it been since?"
"No change for the better. It grows.
if anything, worse and worse. Dick never
Oota woorv Of opnouinn ma
Has thee ever tried the law with him,
friend Levering? The law should protect
thee"
go yes, I've tried the law. Once he
ran his heavy wagon against my carriage,
purposely, and upset me in the road.
made narrow escape with my life. The
carriage was so badly broken that it cost
me fifty dollars for repairs. A neighbor
saw the whole thing, and said it was plain
ly intended by Dick. So l sent him the
carriage-maker's bill, at which he got into
. towering passion. Then I threatened
him with prosecution, and he laughed in
my face Indignantly. Ifelt that the time
had come to act decisively, and sued him,
relying on the evidence of my neighbor,
who had seen the affair. But my neigh
Dor was afraid Of Dick, and so worked his
testimony that the jury saw only an acci-
dent, instead of purpose to injure, and
gave verdict accordingly. After that
Dick Hardy was worse than ever. He
took an evil delight in annoying and injur-
ing me. l am satisfied that in more than
one instance he lefs gaps in bis fence in
order 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 child of mine dares to cross bis
premises. Only last week he tried to put
his dog on my little Florence, who strayed
into one of his fields after buttercups. The
dog was less cruel than bis master, or she
would nave been torn by his teeth, instead
OF being only frightened by bis bark
"It's hard case, truly, friend Lever
ing. Our neighbor Hardy seems possessed
of an evil spirit
The very spirit Of the devil" was an
swered, with feeling.
"Hes thy enemy, assuredly; and if
thee doesn't get rid of him, he will do thee
greater harm"
II wish I could get rid of bim."
"Thee must if thee would dwell in
safety, friend Levering."
The Quaker's face was growing serious.
He spoke in lowered voice, and bent
towards his neighbor in a confidential
manner.
"Thee must put him out of the way!"
"Friend Martini" The surprise of
Paul Levering was unfeigned.
"Thee must kill hint"
The countenance of Levering grew
blank with astonishment
"Kill him !" he calculated.
eff thee doesn't kill him, he'll certain
ly kill thee, one of these days, friend Lev
ering. And thee knows what is said
about self-pseservation being the first law
of nature"
"And get hung."
:" don t think they hang thee" cool
ly returned the Quaker. sThee can 20
over to his place, and get him all alone by
thyself 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. g
10 you think I'm no better than
murderer ?" Leverings astonishment
passed to horror and indignation. "I,
Paul Levering, stain my hands with
blOod!"
"Who said anything about staining thy
hands with b'ood?" The Quaker was i'm
perturable.
"Why, you!"
"Thee's mistaken. l never used the
word blood
"But you meant it. You suggested
murder"
"No, friend Levering. l advised thee
to kill the enemy, lest some day he should
kill thee