Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-07-31


plainly intended by Dick. So sent him
the carriage makers bill ~ which ho got
into n towering passion. Then | threat
enod him with = prosecution, and he
laughed in my face Indignantly. l felt
tho time had come TO act decisively, and
sued him. rely ing on the evidence OF my
neighbor. He was afraid of Dick. and
81 wcrAed his testimony that the jury saw
only An accident instead Of purpose 10
irinrc. After that, Dick Hardy WAS
worse than ever. He took an evil de-
light in annoy Ing and iniuring me. am
satisfied that in more than one instance
he lett gaps in his fences, in order 10 en-
iice my cattle into his field, that he might
set his dogs on them and hurt them with
stones. 1t is more than n child OF mine
dares 10 cross his premises. O1ly last
week he tried 10 put his dog on my little
Florence, who had strayed into his field
after buttercups. The dog was less cruel
than the master or she would have been
torn by his teeth, instead of being only
frightened by his bark"
"It's hard case, truly, friend Lever
iny. Oar ueighbor Hardy seems pos
scsscd OF an evil spirit"
the spirit of the devil" was answered
with feeling.
Hes thy enemy assuredly; and il
thee doesn't get rid OF him he will do
thee great harm. Thee must. il thee
would dwell ia safety, friend Levering."
Che Ql,kers face was growing very
serious. He spoke in lowered voice,
and bent toward his neighbor in conf
Dental manner.)
Thee must put him out Of the way"
Friend Martin !" the surprise OF Paul
was unfeigned.
Thee must kill him."
The cuuntenance OF Levering grew
black with astonishment.
Kill him!" he calculated.
of thee doesn't kill him he'll certainly
kill thee, one of these days, friend Lev
eriug. And thee knows what is said
about self preservation being the first
law Of nature"
"And get hung"
II don't think they'll hang thee"
coolly returned the Quaker. "Thee can
90 over to his place and get him all
alone by thyself. Oc thee can meet him
in some byroad. Nobody need see thee.
and when he's dead, think people will
be more glad than sorry"
"Do you think I'm no better than
murderer? |. Paul lowering, stain my
hands with blood? ?"
"Who said anything about staining thy
hands with blood?' said tho q uaker,
mildly.
"Why, you"
"Thee's mistaken; | never used the
word blood"
"But you meant it. You suggested
murder"
"No friend Leveiing, advised thee to
kill thy enemy, lest some day he should
kill thee"
"Isn't killing murder, | should like to
know ~ demanded lowering.
There are more ways than one to Kill
An enemy" said the Quaker. "fve killed
= good many in my time and no stain OF
blood can be found on my garments. My
cay Of killing enemies is TO make them
tJicndS. Xii heighbor Hardy with kind
ness, and thee'll have no moro trouble
with him.
A sudden light CLEANED o7er Mr.. Lev
erins's face, as if cloud had passed
"a new way to kill people"
Tine surest way to Kill enemies, as
;hoo'.l find, If theo'II only try"
Let me see. How shall we go about
itg' said Pau! lowering, taken at once
with the idea.
.If thee has the will. friend Levering,
it will not be long before thee finds the
way
And so it proved. Not two hours
afterwards, as Mr.. lowering was driving
into the village, he found Dick Hardy
with a stalled csrtload OF stone. He was
whipping his horse and swearing at him
p4ssionate!y, but to no purpose. The
cart wheels were, buried halt way TO the
axles in stiff mud, and defed the strength
of one horse to move them. On seeing
Mr.. Levering, Dick stopped pulling and
swearing, and getting on the cart, CON-
menced pitching the stone off on to the
side of the road.
Hold on a bit, friend Hardy" said
Levering, in pleasant voice, as he dis
mounted and unhitched his horse. But
Dick pretended not to hear, and kept on
pitching off the stones. "Hold on, say
and don't give yourself all that trouble. "
added Mr.. Levering, speaking in louder
voice, but in kind and cheerful tones.
Two horses are better than one. With
Charley's help we'll soon have the wheels
on solid ground again."
Understanding now what was meant
Dicks hands fell almost nerveless by hi:
side. There" said Levering, as he pu