The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1883-02-13

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was the same dog had seen the pre-.
vious night. The same fierce bulldog,
NV horror and astonishment caused
me to let the bushes slip from my grasp.
and the swapping of the twigs made the
dog utter low, vicious growl and run
frantically at the place where | stood =
The growl in its very souSd and menar
was the same that khad heard bG, -
| fed up the path, the dog In pursuit,
hut fortunately for me on the other side
of the hedge. l began to fag under the
strain of the steep ascent and the hor-
ror Of having the scenes of that night
brought so wildly before me again -
Having nothing to defend myself with
against the dog, became very much
alarmed at my danger. With savage
growl the dog leaped the hedge and
would have attacked me had not harsh
voice called out at the moment, "Down,
sir, down" The animal Immediately
crouched and cringed at the feet of a
gentleman who suddenly appeared from
around a curve in the path. The gen.
tleman politely lifting his hat said "He
is dangerous animal, sir, but very dear
to me Allow me to apologize to you
for the discomfort he has occasioned
YOU" At first ! was too much exhaus.
ted to speak. When l looked at him
what was my horror and surprise TO face
the man whom ] had seen foI1ly mur-
dered, as thought, the night previous.
With staring eyes and mouth open
through excess Of terror, my first i'm
pulae was to run as fast as nv two tired
limbs would let me He looked at me
in astonishment at my seeming fear OF
him, and said: You are Ill did the dog
bite you before l called him?' Cour-
age having returned to me | answered
him: No, sir; l am perfectly well, but
very badly winded by the chase He
smiled at my rather grim joke and We
then walked on in silence to the hall -
The Squire met US at the door, shook
my hand cordially and introduced me
to my companion. My companions
name 1 found was Randolph. I went
into the 'Squire's library, and after we
had smoked cigar l asked the Squire
who and what Randolph was. He told
me that he was lawyer. He had lived
most OF his life at Cleveland, Ohio, but
on some account he had left that place
and wanted 10 settle in our village. He
had brought letter of introduction to
the Squire and was guest in the house
until he could make final arrangements
for the purchase of home of hi own
then told the Squire what / had seen
the night before. He laughed at my.
fears and jestingly told me that | was
little daft. ( answered him with very
serious face and told him Randolph was
the man had seen and that the dog was
the same one, too. We then went into
dinner. About twenty or thirty gentle
men assembled around the table. When
the wine and cigars were brought in,
wit, humor and general nerriment took
possession of all except Randolph and
I. He was morose and taciturn. l was
frightened and disturbed by the events
which had happened. Tue wine was TAX
ing effect, and continuous roar OF
laughter went up from the table. Ran
dolph was silent, so was |. The dead
man (tor such l believed he was) sud
denly looking up, beckoned to me and
gave me 10 understand that he wished
to see me a,ter.dinner. l didn't like The
idea of having conversation with
corpse, but l consented. 1t was dark
when we bade our genial host good
night. Randolph touched me on the
arm as l turned to go and said he would
walk down to the village with me on bis
way to his tavern l could not Object,
but cold chills crept over me at The
thought of walking alone at night with
a murdered man. We started down the
path with that fendish dog following at
our heels. AS we neared the bottom of
the hill, the moon rose. The moonlight
gradually spread over the valley. The
snow-covered houses below us, the gio.
rious night and the strange appearance
OF the earth under the CHASTITY light OF
the moon, in addition to the companion
ship of a man whom had seen murder
ed, conduced me to screw my cou age
up, stopped, turned to my companion
an with qusking hand laid upon his
shoulder questioned him as to his life
and the reasons why he had left large
city tn bury himself in this out-of-the.
way village "Mr. May*ood," he said,
81 was successful lawyer in Cleveland.
was rich. had made name among
my colleagues. / had vile, beautiful,
lovely girl. My wife's brother is the
cause OF my refuge in this place. He
was clerk in banking house. Like q
great many men, be began to gamble
He became defaulter. l. to hide has
shame and for my wife's sake, paid the
amount he had stolen She was igno-
rant of her brothers theft. The brott.
er returned my kindness one day by
stealing from me. I sent him away in
anger Before he left the room he in
suited me. / struck him. My wife took
her brothers part and deserted nee on
account OF my cruelty 10 him, as she
believed That man has attempted
three times to take my life. l was oblg-
to leave Cleveland and seek refuge
from lis murderous hand. My heart
was broken by my wife's desertion of
me, and l only hope for peaceful death
by coming here"
l could contain myself no longer. ]
told Randolph what had seen the night
before. He became pale as death and
with trembling voice said 81 have re-
ceived a warning, too. Gid forbid that
! shall have to leave this haven which
have sought for" By that time we had
reached my door; bis tavern was across
the square; bade him good night and
went in. had hardly been in minute
when heard three or four loud screams
of agony ard fear. rushed out of doors
just ia time to see Mr.. Randolph throw
up his hands in the air, reel and fall
helpless in the snow, his dog crouching
bv hissside licking his wounds. A knife
laid in the snow g!istening in the moon
light. A man was running up the road
and rapidly disappearing. All had hap
renei as have related. Lights fared
in the village, windows went up with a
hang, and la few moments an excited
4 L. l. l..