Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-01-05
THE WAY TO KILL AN ENEMY

THE WAY TO KILL AN ENEMY,
"That man will be the death of me
yet" said Paul Levering. He looked
worried out, not angry.
"Thee means Dick HardyS"
eyes"
"What has he been doing to thee
now?" asked the questioner, Friend
named Isaac Martin, neighbor.
He's always doing something, Friend
Martin. Scarcely q day passes that
don't have complaint of him. Yesterday
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"
"Thats very bad, Friend Levering.
Does thee know why he did this? Was
thy Durham trespassing on his grounds?"
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 in the corner of my lot adjoining
his property"
"Yes."
1.-TWO large limbs full of fruit hung
over on his side. You would hardly be-
lieve it, but it is true; / was out there
Just now, and discovered that he had
sawed off those two fine limbs that hung
over on his side. They lay down upon
the ground and his pigs were eating the
| fruit"
"Why is Dick so spiteful to thee,
Friend LeveringS He doesn't annoy me.
! What has thee done to him?"
i" Nothing of any consequence"
"Thee must have done something.
Try and remember"
az know what first put him out
kicked an ugly dog of his once. The
beast, half-starved at home, suppose,
was all the time prowling about here,
and snatched up everything that came in
his way. One day came upon him sud
denly, and gave him a tremendous kick
that sent him bowling through the gate.
Unfortunately, as it turned out, the dogs
master happened to be passing along the
road. The way he swore at me was
dreadful. Inever saw a more vindictive
face. The next morning a splendid New.
! foundland, that had raised from apup,
met me shivering at the door with his
tail cut of. l don't know when / have
felt so badly. Poor fellow! his piteous
look haunts me now. had no proof
against Dick, but have never doubted 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 Lev
ering," said the Quaker,
" Perhaps was, though l have never
regretted the act. l met Dick few
days afterward. The grin of satisfac-
tiOn on his face accepted as an ac-
knowledgment of his mean and cruel
revenge. Within a week from that time
one of my cows had horn knocked off.
What did thee dor"
81 went to Dick Hardy and gave him
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 l had
whistleu 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-"
Has thee ever tried the law with
him, Friend LeveringY 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. /
made 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 il was
plainly intended by Dick. So sent him
the carriage-maker's bill, at which he
got into towering passion. Then /
threatened him with prosecution, and
he laughed in my face Indignantly. l
felt the time had come to act decisive
ly, and sued him, relying on the evil
dence of my neighbor. He was afraid
of Dick, and so worked his testimony
that the jury saw only an accident in
stead of purpose 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 instance he left gaps in his
fences in order TO entice my cattle into
his fields, that he might set his dogs on
them and hurt them with stones. 1t is
more than child of mine dares to cross
his premises. Only last week he tried
to set his dog on my little Florence,
who had strayed into one of his fields
after bdttercups. 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"
ITS hard case, truly, Friend Lever
ing. Our neighbor Hardy seems pos
sessed of an evil spirit"
The spirit of Satan," was answered
with feeling.
"He's thy enemy, assuredly; and if
thee doesn't get rid of him he will do
thee great harm. Thee must, if thee
would dwell in safety, Friend lowering" i"
(The Quaker's 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 Martini the surprise Of Paul
was unfeigned.
Thee must kill him."
The countenance of Levering grew
black with astonishment.
"Kill him" he CALCULATED.
II thee doesn't kill him he'll certain
ly kill thee, one of these days, Friend
Levering. And thee knows what is said
about self-presorvation being the first
law of nature"
"And get hungp
81 don't think they'll hang thee, cool.