The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-08-17
Terrible Retribution.
STORY OF A FAITHFUL DOG.


-7r~~c-~~~r~,-~o,
About fifty years ago, in the western
part of the State of New York, lived |
lonely widow named Mother. Herhus- |
band had been dead many years, her on
ly 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 by night. Yet in
her conscious innocency and trust in
Providence she felt safe and cheerful
did her work quietly during the day
light, and at eventide lay down and
slept sweetly.
One morning, however, she awoke
with an extraordinary and unwonted
gloom upon her mind, which was inn
pressed with the apprehension that
something 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 unbosoming herself to her friends,
| especially to her daughter. With her
she spent the greater part of the day; and
to her several times repeated the recital OF
her apprehensions. The daughter as Of
ten 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.
AS the day was declining, Mrs. MOI
her sought her home, but expressed the
same feeling as she left her daughters
house.
On the way home she called on a
neighbor, who lived in the last house
before she reached her own. Here she
again made known her continued appre-
hension, which had nearly ripened into
fear. and from the lady of the mansion
received answers similar to those of her
daughter: you have harmed no one in
your whole lifetime-surely no one will
; disturb or modest you go home in quiet
and Rover shall go with you. Here
Rover,o said she to a stout Watchdog
that lay on the floor, here Rover, go
t home with Mrs. Mother and take care
: of her." Rover did as he was told; the
t 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
I was fairly in bed, he laid himself down
upon the outside of the bed; and as the
widow relied on his fidelity, and per-
: haps child herself for needless fear, she
! | fell asleep. Some time in the night she
! awolle, being startled, probably, by a
. slight noise outside the house. 1t was
. 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
Q was in room on the ground floor. Next
! there was another sound, as if some one
V was in the room and stepped cautiously
on the floor. The woman saw nothing !;
/ but now for the first time felt the dog
0 move, as he made violent spring from
t the bed and at the same instant some
3 foI1 INA 70 a
: fall of heavy log. Then followed
other noises like the paving of dogs
2 feet but soon all was still again, and
: the dog resumed his place on the bed
! without having barked orgrowled at all.
3 This time the widow did not go to
sleep immediately--but lay awake Won
dering, yet not deeming it best to get
3 up. But at last she dropped asleep, and
when she awoke, the sun was shining.
s She hastily stepped out of bed-and
4 there lay the body of man extended
: on the floor, dead, with o large knife in
n his hand, which was even now extend
h ed. The dog had seized him by the
y throat with the grasp of death; and
d neither man nor dog could utter a soa ma
e till all was over. The man was the
b widows son-in-law, the husband OF hef
@ only daughter He coveted her little
o store of wealth, her house, her cattle
E, and her land. And, instigated by this
y sordid Impotence, he could not wait for Or
n the decay of nature to give her property
o up to him and his, as the only heirs APP
n parent, but made this stealthy, visit to
1t do deed of darkness in the gloom OF
{, night. A fearful retribution for him.
(, Tie widows apprehensions, commune
q Gated TO her mind and impressed upon
II her nerves by what unseen power We
Q know not-the sympathy of the other
+ woman who loaned her dog-and the
d silent but certain watch of the dog him.
d self-formed chain of events which
# brought the murderer's blood upon his
O own head, and which are difficult to be
e explained without reference to that
{ providence or overruling power which
d numbers the hairs of our heads, watches
e the sparrow's fall, and shapes oul
5 ends, rough hew them as we will
t This is one of Uncle Toby's stories
t and is derived, as to all its facts, from o
e most respectable Quaker family, whose
e veracity We cannot doubt.-PoTtsmoah
o Chronicle.