Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-02-20

Florence, who had strayed into one {
bis fields after buttercups. Tie do
was less cruel than the master or sh
would have been torn by his teeth
instead of only being frightened by hi
bark"
"It's hard case, truly, Friend Lev
ering. Our neighbor Hardy seems p0s
sessed of an evil spirit"
"The spirit of Satan,n was answers
with feeling.
"He's thy enemy ,assuredly and il the,
doesn't get rid Of him he will do tie
great harm. Thee must, if thee woui(
dwell in safety, Friend Levering."
(The Quaker's face was growing veri
serious. He spoke in lowered voics
and bent toward bis neighbor in a con
fidential manner.) &
! 'Thee must put him out Of the way. !,
Friend Martini" The surprise o.
Paul was unfeigned.
"Thee must Kill him."
The Gountenauce of lowering grew
black with astonishment
Kill himln he eiaculated.
IF thee dcexn't KIN him he'll certain.
ly kill thee, one of these days, Friend
Levering. And thee knows what j,
said about self preservation being the
first law of nature"
"And get bung!"
II don't think they'll hang thee, y
coolly returned the Quaker "Thee can
go over to bis place and get him all
alone by himself. Or thee can meet
see thee, and when he's dead I think
people will be more glad than sorry"
murderer? t. Paul Leverfng, stain my
hands with blood!"
| "Who said anything about staining
thy hands with blood ?" said the Quaker,
mildly.
/ "Why, you.n
"Thee's mistaken. I never used the
word bloed"
"But you meant 1t. You suggested
murder"
mo, Friend Levering, advised thee
to kill thine enemy, lest some day he
should kill thee"
:'Isn'l killing .nHrder. T should like to
know ?" demanded lowering.
"There are more ways than one to kill
an enemy" said the Quaker. 'I've
killed good many In my time, and nc
stain of blood can be found on my gar
ments. My sUdy of killing enemies Is to
make them friends. Kill neighhor Har.
dy with kindness, and thee'll have nc
more trouble with him."
A sudden light cleaned over Mr.. Lev.
ering's face, as if a cloud had passed.
IA new way to kill people,"
1.-The surest way to kill an enemy, as
thesll find, If thee'll only try"
"Iset me see. How shall we go about
2" said Paul Levering, taken-at once
with the idea.
eff thee has the will, Friend Levering
it will not be long before thee finds the
way"
And so it proved. Not two hours af.
terward, as Mr.. Levering was driving
into the village, he found Hick Hardy
with q stalled cart-load of stone. He
was whipping his horse and swearing
at him passionately, but to no purpose.
The cart wheels were buried halfway
to the axles in the stiff mud, aud defied
the strength of one hose 10 move them.
On seeing Mr.. Levering, Dick stopped
pulling and swearing, and getting on
the cart, commenced pitching the stone
off on to the side Of the road.
"Hold on bit, Friend Hardy" said
Levering in a pleasant voice, as he dis
mounted and unhitcbed his horse. But
Dick pretended not to hear, and kept or.
pitching off ne stones. Hold on, I
say, and don't give yourself all that
trouble" added Mr.. Levering, speaking
in lotider voice, but in kiud and
cheerful tones. "Two horses are better
than one. With Charley's help we'll
soon have the wheels on solid ground. !"
Understanding now what was meant,
Dicks hands fell almost nerveless by
his side. "There," said Levering, as he
put his horse in front OF Dick IS and made
the traces fast. lone pull and the thing
is done" Before Dick could get down
from the cart it was out of the mud-hole,
and, without saying word more, Lev
ering unfastened his horse from the
front of Dicks animal and hitching up
again, rode on.
On the next day Mr.. Leveling saw
Dick Hardy in the act of Strengthening
bit of weak fence through which Lev
ering's cattle had broken once or twice,
thus removing temptation, and saving
the cattle from being beaten and set on
by the dogs.
"Thee's given him bad wound,
Friend Levering," said the Quaker, on
getting Information of the two incidents
Just mentioned, land it will be thy own
fault if thee does not kill him."
Not long afterwards, IN the face of an
approaching storm, and while Dick
Hardy was hurryiAg to get in some
clover hay, his wagon broke down. Mr..
Levering, who saw from one of his
fields the incident, and understood what
its loss might occasion, hitched up his
wagon and sent it over to Dicks assis-
tance. With a storm coming on that
might last for days and ruin from two
to three tons of hay, Dick could not de-
cline the offer, though it went against
the grain to accepts favor from the man
he had hated for years and injured in so
many ways.
On the following morning Mr.. Lever
ing had visit from Dick Hardy. 1t
vas raining fast. .'I'Ye GOMEZ said
Dick, stammering and confused, and
looking down on the ground, instead of
into Mr.. Levering's face, ITO pay you
for the use Of your team yesterday in
it if YOU hadn't sent your wagon, aud il
IL Use only IL II tight ! should pay you for the
Il should be very sorry" answered
Paul Levering, cheerily, if couldn't
do a neighb6rly turn without pay. You
are quite welcome, Friend Hardy, to
the wagon. I am more than paid in
knowing that you saved that nice field
of clover. How much did you get?"
"About three tons. But, Mr.. Lever
ing. I must
mot a word, if you don't want to of
fend me-" interrupted Levering. II
trust there isn't a man around here that
wouldn't do as much for a neighbor in
time of need. Still if you feel embar
Fassed-if you denlt wish to stand my
debtor. pay me in good will"
Dick Hardy raised his eyes slowly,
way at Mr.. Levering, said: "Shall we
not be friends ?" Mr.. Levering reached
out his hand. Hardy grasped it with a
quick, short grip, and then, as if to hide
his feelings that were becoming too
strong, dropped 1t, and went off hastily.
sThee's killed him." said the Quaker,
on his next meeting with Levering;
'sthy enemy is dead!"
'Slain by Kindness" answered Paul
Levering. (which you supplied"
mo, thee took it from Gods armory,
I