Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1877-01-13
The Way to Kill an Enemy.

That man will be The death O.
me yet" said Paul lowering. HI
looked worried out, not angry.
"Thee means Dick Hardy?"
Yes"
What has he been doing to thee
now?" asked the questioner, a friend
named Isaac Martin, Il neighbor.
He's always doing something,
friend Martin. Scarcely a day passes
that l don't have complaint OF him.
YesI erday one of the boys came and
told me he saw him throw a stone at
my new Durham COW, and strike her
on the head
"I'hats very bad, friend Levering.
Does thee know why he did this
Was thy Durham trespassing on his
9roun,s?'
No, she was only looking over
Inc fence. He has spite against
me and mine, and does all he can to
injure me. You know the fine Bart
lett pear tree that stands in the cor
ner of my lot adjoining his prop
ety?"
" Yes"
Two large limbs full of fruit
hung over Oh his side. You would
hardly believe it, but it is true; 1 was
out there just now, and discovered
! that lie had sawed off those two fine
nnbs that hung over on his side.
They lay down upon the ground and
his pigs were ealing the fruit
" Why is Dick so spiteful to thee,
friend Levering? He doesn't annoy
me. What has thee done to him q
" Nothing of any consequence"
&" Thee must have done something.
Try and remember"
81 know what first put him out
/ kicked an ugly dog of his once.
The beast, half starved at home, I
suppose, was all the time prowling
about here, and snatched up every
thing that came in his way. One
day l came upon him sunddenly, and
gave him a tremendous kick that sent
him bowling through the gate. Un-
fortunately, rs it turned ont, the
dogs master happened to be passing
along the road, The way he swore
at me was dreadful. I never saw Il
more vindictive face. The next
| morning a splendid Newfoundland, j.,
that 1 had raised from pup, met
me shivering at the door, with his
tail cut off. I don't know when l
have felt 80 badly. Poor fellow
his piteous look haunts me now; l
had no proof against Dick, but have
never doubted as to his agency in
the matter. In my grief and indig-
nation shot the dog, aud so put
him out of sight"
"Thee was hasty in that, friend
Levering," said the Quaker.
" Perhaps I was, though I have
never regretted the act. l met Dick
few days afterwards. The grin of
satisfaction on his face I accepted as
an acknowledgement of bis mean
and cruel revenge. Within a week
from that time one of my cows had a
horn knocked off,"
What did thee do?
"I went to Dick Hardy, and gave
him a piece Of my mind"
"That is, thee scolded and called
him hard names, and threatened.
"Yes-just SO, friend Martin"
Did any good come of it?"
"About as much good as though
I had whistled to the wind"
How has it been since?"
"No change for the better; it
grows, If anything, worse and worse.
Dick never gets weary of annoying
me-"
I" Has thee ever tried the law with
him, friend Levering2 The law
should protect thee"
90 yes, I've tried the law. Once
no ran bis heavy wagon against my
carriage purposely, and upset me in
the road. / made o 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 I sent him
the carriage makers bill at which he
got into . towering passion. Then
! threatened him with prosecution,
and be laughed in my face malignant
". ] felt the tiAe had come to act
dscisivsly, and ! sued him, relying
on the evidence Of my neighbor. He
was afraid Of Dick, and 20 worked
hi toslimony that the jury saw only