Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-10-27
allistclla nenus.
Killing an Enemy.
DIR T. S. ARTHUR.

Dir I. 5. ARTHUR.
THAT man will be the death of me
yet" said Paul Levering
He looked worried out, not angry.
Thee meals Dick Hardy 2"
"Yes."
"W hat has he been doing to thee
now o.
The questioner was Friend named
Isaac Martina neigh5or.
lies always doing omcthing, friend
Martin. Scarcely IA day passes that |
don't have complaint Of him. Yesterday
one OF the boys came and told me that
he saw him throw a stone at my new
Durham COW, AMI strike her Oh the head. u
That's very bad. friend lowering -
Dos thee know why he did this ? Was
thy Durham tre-pass ng on his grounds y
No, She was only looking over the
fence. He has a spite against me and
mine, and does all he can to injure ME.
You know the fine Bartlett pear tree,
that stands i'll the corner Of my lot ad-
joinin- his property ~
~ es."
Two large limbs, full Of fruit. stretch.
ed over on his side. You hardly believe
it, but it's true. | was out there just
now, and discovered that he had sawed
off these two fine limbs that hung over on
his side. They lay down upon the ground,
aud his pig, were eating the fruit.
"Why is Dick SO spitetul to thee,
friend lowering? lie doesen't annoy me.
What has thee done 20 him p
Nothing OF any consequence"
Thee must have doue something
Try and remember"
IL know what first set him out.
kicked an ugly dog of his once. The
beast, half starved at home, | suppose,
was all the while prowIing about here,
aud snatchci up everything that came III
his way. One day came upon him sud-
denly, and gave him tremendous kick
that sent him bowling through the gate.
Unfortunately, as it has turned Out, the
dogs master happened to be passing along
the road. The way he swore at me was
dreadful. | never saw Il more vindlctive
face. On the next morning a splendid
New oundland, that had raised from a
pup. met me shivering at the door, with
his tail cnt off don't know when |
have felt SO badly. Poor fellow ! his
piteous look haunts me now. l had 40
proof against Dick, but have never doubt
ed, as to his agency in the matter. In
my grief and indignation, shot the dog,
and so put him out Of sight"
"Thee was hasty in that, friend Lever.
ing" said the Quaker.
"Perhaps | was. though have never
regretted that act. | met Dick few
days afterwards. The grin of satisfac-
ton on his face | accepted as al acknowl-
lgemeut Of his mean and cruel revenge.
Within week from that time one OF my
COWS had a horn knocked oil"
Wv hat did the do ?"
IL went to Dick Hardy and gave him
"a piece Of my miud.'
That is, thee scoded, and called him
hard names, and threatened"
Yes-just go, friend Martin"
Did any good come OF it?'
About as much good as if l had
whstled to the wind"
"How has it been since ?"
"No change Tor the b tier. 1t grows,
if any nytLing, worse and worse. Dick
never gets weary Of annoying me-"
"Has thee ever tried the law with
him. friend Leyering The law should
protect thee
80 yes, I've tried the law. Once he
ran his heavy wagon against my carriage,
purposely. and upset me in the road. l
made a narrow escape with my life. The
carriage was SO badly broken that it cost
me fifty dollars for repairs. A neighSor
saw the whole thing and said it was
plainly intended by Dick. So sent
him the carriage makers bill, at which
he got into towering passion. Then |
threatened him with prosecution, and he
laughed in my face Indignantly. | felt
that the time had come to act decisively.
and sued him, relying on the evidence Of
my neighbor. He was afraid of Dick.
and SO worked his testimony that the jury
saw only an accident instead of a pur.
pose to injure. After that, Dick Hardy
was worse than ever. He took an evil
delight in annoying and injuring me. |
am satisfied, that in more than one in
stance, he left gaps in his fences in order
to entice my cattle into his fields that be
might set his savage dogs on them, and
hurt them with stones. 1t is more than
Child Of mine dares to cross bis premi.