Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-20

nlck mock were klllco IN tue bAuo way
After that Mr.. Bentick hired two watch
men to patrol his farm buildings, which
ere on one side OF the Railway river,
while his house is on the other, but no.
thing happened. The next morning,
however, the news came that a farmer
fifteen miles from Mr.. Bentnick's had
lost two valuable sheep duringthe night.
Since then not night has passed with
out some farmer hsvingon or two sheep
killed.
One day last week Mr.. Bentnick was
obliged to go to Morris county to attend
q sale. He wished to drive across the
country, and decided to start i'll his own
wagon at o'clock in the morning. His
niece, Miss Grace, was asked to prepare
an early breakfast and also to see that
the hired man was up early enough to
get the horses ready. Fearing that If
she went to bed she would oyersleep her
self, she determined to pass the night in
the kitchen, where there was an old fash
toned clock which sounded the hours
almost as loud as church bell.
She was not afraid, as she had for q
companion an immense Siberian mastlh,
who WAS locked IN the kitchen every
night. Miss Grace was in the habit Of
feeding the dog and it always showed q
great attachment for her. After the
family had gone to bed the girl sat for
some time at the table reading, while
the dog strstched himself near the fire
and apparently went to sleep. When
she was tired OF reading she moved to
the fire, and, seating herself on the floor,
leaned her head on the dogs tawDy
back. and must have gone to sleep IN
that position.
She was aroused by feeling the dog
gently move. She half opened her eyes
and what she saw aroused her to full
consciousness. In some mysterious way
the dog seemed to have changed. his
eyes were shining like two Goals Of fire
and were looking at her with an ex-
preston OF almost human hate.
The skin was drawn back from
the teeth, showing immense fangs, and
his whole body was trembling with
fury. Miss Bentnicks first impulse
was to spring to her feet and rush from
the room, but at Der first movement the
dog growled so ssyAgely that she fell
back on the floor. Through her half
closed eyes she watched every movement
OF the great beast at her side. Slowly
he rose to his feet and with the soft tread
OF cat walked oil around her. He put
his head so close to her face that she
could feel his hot breath. Then, evil
IDENTIFY thinking her asleep, be stole to-
wards small window which looked into
the garden.
Overcome by curiosity, Miss Bentnick
rose to her feet. With one bound the
dog WAS at her side again, and was on
the point of springins at her throat when
she sank into chair by the table and
closed her eyes, waiting TO feel the dogs
teeth in her throat and afraid TO call for
help. After q moment or two OF fright
full agony she partially opened her eyes.
/ The dog was standing Immediately IN
front Of her, with the expression OF a
man-eating tiger on its face. Hiss Grace
had self-control enough to fsign sleep,
and by doing so saved her life.
After awhile the dog seemed convinced
she Was asleep. He slowly approached
the window again, looking back at every
step. Ii WAsan old-fsshioned one, which
opened With a latch. When in front OF
/ it he raised himself on his hind legs, and
with one paw gently raised the bolt and
the window came open. Then he re-
turned and took one moro survey OF
Miss Bentnick. As shs was still mo-
tionless he sprang through the window
and disappeared.
Overcome by fright, Miss Grace must
have fainted. She Was brought to her
self by the sound of fall in the room.
Before she could move heavy weight
was pressed against her and she felt
something wet IN her face. The breeze
from the open window had extinguished
the lamp, and there was only dim light
from the fire. Through her hslf-closed
lids she could, however, sec that the dog
was standing with paw on each OF her
shoulders looking into her face. She
could also feel that his coat was moist,
and something wet was dripping on the
front OF her dress from the animals
jaws.
After awhile the dog left her and
quietly stretched himself near the fire.
place. When she thought him asleep
She made spring for the kitchen door,
and lust as she passed through the dog
sprang after her. With all her strength
she held the door and screamed for help.
In q moment Mr.. Bentnick and the hired
man rushed TO her assistance, and she
explained what had happened. Quickly
arrning himself, Mr.. Bentnick entered
the kitchen. He was surprised to ind
the window closed aud the dog quietly
resting in the corner. Mr.. Bentnick III
frat thought his niece must have been
dreaming, but the front of her dress wa,
covered with blood and there were little
pools of water about the kitchen floor.
On examination the dog WAS found to be
thoroughly wet, as though he had JUS
come out Of the 1ver.
When the hired man went to harness
the horses he found that two moro sheer
had been killed. The Siberian Was The
despoiler Of the herd. Although Mr.
Bentniek had paid several hundred dol
lars for his dog, he determined TO shoe
him. As he was leading him from tn,
house Miss Grace cams from . bacl
room. With one bound the dog sprans
at her, but before he reached her bal
from Mr BentDick's pistol passe,
through his heart, killing him instantly
Miss Grace said yesterday that sh'
would not pass through such a nigh
again for ten times the reward shs ~
celyed ior detecting tho shecp- Killer