Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-08-24

pICoo1FClI 1OI OGuCl NlSC, L lCCl
certain we shall come to harm"
Pooh, pooh, Mrs. Alison you will
come to nothing of the kind. l am
surprised at you-who are SO used to
toll-keeping-being SO foolishly ner-
vous. 1t is out of the question that
| can stop here. But | tell you what
I'll do. l have only to get to Well
borough tonight, and do not appre-
hend any mischief between here and
there; so I'll leave you my dog Tow
ger to keep guard. He's as good as
any constable: and to-morrow-when
your unluoky night has passed-Ill
cali for him again. But when I'm
gor c, just hitch the toll gate back, and
dent open door or window again to-
night, or the dog may run out and be
after me-"
The two sisters overwhelmed their
friend with thanks, as he strobe to
the door and whistled to his dog, who
at once sprang into the kitchen, which
seemed to shrink in its proportions
at his presence, he was such a very
large dog; half mastiff and half St.
Bernard, with shoulders as broad as
those of prize-fghter, and hanging
jaw and terrible teeth, and with a
growl that was as assuring to his
master when danger threatened as it
was depressing to his antagonist.
There he is, ladies' said the ped
ler introducing this formidable ami
mall to their notice; a dog as has
not his equal in the north for cour-
age, and who, when he lays hold Of
an enemy, has never yet been known
to let go except at his masters voice.
Have you, Tower
WhereupOn Tower brought up
from his capaciouS chest some canine
monoSyllable that seemed to sound
like no. and which echoed gloomily
through the little house, and died
away upon the moor outside.
When the night mail went by at a
hand gallop--a mere passing vision
OF winged stcedS and wrapped-up fig
, ures-matters became still worse, for
the tenentS of the little dollhouse felt
that no well disposed human creature
, could now be expected until morning.
, They retired to their bedroom on
the upper floor, taking the dog with
them; but they did not undress-for
it seemed to their balanced minds a
matter Of certainty that the night
; would not pass by without some cat
a5trophe. They lay down together
on the bed and listened, while the
t mastilf crouched upon the floor, his
huge jowl half hidden in his paws
and wholly undisturbed by the Gle
= mental strife without Once only,
: when a pane Of glass-which, how.
ever, they knew had been previously
5 loosened-felI with a crash on the
e kitchen floor below, he raised bis
/ monstrous head and muttered thun.
e der. Two candles were kept burn.
: ing, and well lit up the little room
: 1t was about one o'clock that a short
luIl took place in the tempest, and
:. Mrs. Alison distinctly heard the
sound of footsteps in the back yard
0 Her sister, who had been asleep for a
few moments in spite Of herself, had
not heard the noise, and, as usual in
y such cases, affirmed that she had beer
:. broad awake, and must have heer
j conscious Of the incident had it oc
1 CURED. The widow did not waste
e words in argument, but whispered il
trembling accents: "Look at the
/, dog" 1t was evident enough that
= Tower had heard something which
j, required an explanation. for he open
S ed his great eyes and lifted his ears
!, although remaining otherwise un
D moved. "They have gone to get the
r chlcken-ladder, continued the widow
j. in tones Of calm despair; that is what
< | always SAID they would do" And
0 indeed, IN few minutes, there was &
s dull thud against the window-sil
t without, such as would be produced
r by placing the ends Of ladder upor
:, it. 1t was not dark night when tht
i swift flying clouds permitted, as now
e the moon to show herself; yet neither
/ of the women dared look through the
q pane. They kept their eyes fixed OF
: the dog, in whom their sole hope now
' rested. The appearance of that mag
r nlhcent creature was indeed (if they
0 had been in condition to appreciate
e it artiStically,) almost sublime.
t He had risen in an instant, bu
: without sound, and placed himsel
+ under the threatened spot-the win
e dow; every hair in his body appeared
J. alive with excitement; his eyes grew
r bloodshot, and wore an expression o
l concentrated fury; but his teeth re
s mained as yet in their Shcaths, ex
e cept their white points, which showed
u under the wrinkled upper lip.
e The heavy shuffling step Of some
II man upon the rounds of the ladde
!; could now be heard-the fall of the
> knee as well as that of the foot, be
r cause the ladder was boarded-ant
J. then was placed upon fragile fasten
It ing of the easement.
Then, for the first time, the do!
Is gave audible token of his presence
o hoarse and terrible menace brok
is from his now open jaws. 1t was no
e a growl and still less a bark. Th,
IS man evidently heard it, for the nois
e at the window ceased, but he did no
IS seem to recognize it as the thin!
1t was.
lie is sure to have pistols, AM
of will shoot the dog" whispered Ellie
y, Bates through her chattering teeth
N She was a lady who always specu
lated by the fall"
}" The widow did not speak, and pei
er haps could not. She fancied sh
20 could hear the very breathing of tn
s man without. After a short paus