Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1868-08-15
The widows Deliyerancc.

part Of Georgia. lived lonely ~idew
mother. Her husband hsd been dead
many ye'rs, and her only daughter was
grown snd married, lvirc 81 distance OF
mile or two from the family mansion.
And thus the old lady lived alone dsy
snd night YET IN her conscious inno-
cenco and irusr IN Providence she fell safe
and cheerful, jill er ork quietly during
the Daylight, and at even,ie slept sweet
ly.
One morning. however she Swoke with
an extraordinary and unwon,cG gloom
upon her mind, which was impressed
with the apprehension that something
strange was shout TO happen 10 her or
hers. So full was she Of this thought
Ihst she could no; siay al home that day,
but must 60 abroad TO give vent to it, un-
bosoming herself TO her friends, especial
ly 10 her daughter. With her she spen,
Ihe greater psEt OF the day, and 10 her
several time repca el the recital OF her al
prehenslons The daughter as often re-
pesled The assurances that her good moth
er had never done injury 10 any person,
and added, al cannot think any one
would hurt you, for YOU have not an enc
my in the world"
On her Hsy home she called on 3 neigh
DO! Who lived in the last house before sho
reached her own. Hero she sgain made
known her continued sPpTehensions.
which had nearly ripened into fear, and
from the lady OF the mansion she received
answers similar 10 those oI her daughter
"You have harmed no one IN yoUr life
time, surely no one will modest you.
Here, Rover" sald she 10 stout
watchdog lhot lay on the floor, go home
with Mrs MozheT, and take care oi her,
Rover dId as he was told. The widow
went home: MIXED her cows, took care
Of everything out Of doors, and vent to
bed as usual Rover bad not leii her for
an instant. When she was fairly in bed,
he laid himself down upon the outside.
and as the widow relied upon HE hdeliiy
and perhaps chided herself for needless
fear, she fell asle0p. Some time in
the night she awoke, being startled, prob
ably, by slight noise outside tho house.
1t was SO slight however. that she was
not aware Of beng startled at al, but
heard. as soon as she swoke. sound Ike
the raising Of window near her bed,
which was in . room on the ground floor.
The dog neither bsrked nor moved.
Next, there VAS another sound, as II somo
one was in the room and stepped csuuous-
lv on the nnor. The woman saw moth.
ing. but now, for the first time, lelI Tia
dog move, "a he made violent spung
from the bed. and at the same moment
something fell on the floor. sounding liso
a heavy log Then followed other NOISES
like the paving Of dogs feet but soon
all was still sGain, aud tho dog resumed
his place or the bed without having bark
ed or growlcd al all.
Thi. time tho widow did not 60 20
sleep Immediately, but lay awake, suffer
ing, yet not deemlng II best to get Up.
Bot at last she dropped asleep, and when
she swokc the sun was shining. She
hastily stepped out OF bed, and there lay
the body OF man. extended on the floor.
dead. with large knife in his hand.
which was even now extended.
The dog seized him by the throat with
a grasp of death. and neither man nor
dog could utter a sound ull oil VAS over.
This man was the widows son-In-law.
the husband OF her only daughter. lie
coveted her little store Of wealth. her
house, her caIIle. and her land and. IN
slgalcd by his sordId impotence, ,he could
not wait for the decay of nature TO give
her property up TO him aud his, as tho on
y heirs apparent, but made this sieaI'hy
visit TO do a deed Of darkness in the
gloom Of the nigh. fearful rriTlbuiion
awaited him. The widows spprehen-
sons communicated 10 her mind, and in
pressed upon her nerves by ~hsi unseen
power we know moi the sympathy oi
the woman uho loaned be dog, and the
silent but cer,sIn watch OF tho dog bin.
self. formed chsin OF events which
brought the mUrdsrers blood upon his
own head, and which are difficult 10 be
explained without reference 10 The Pro'i.
denco which numbers the hslrs Of our
hesds, watches ihe spsnow's fall. and
"shspes our ends, roUgh-hes them M se
will"