Year: 1868

| About forty years ago, in the western part oil
New York, lived lonely widowed mother. Her
husband had been dead many years. and her only
daughter was grown and married, living at the
distance of a mile Or two from the family man
sion.


And thus, the old lady lived alone day and
night. Yet 10 her conscious innocence and trust
in Providence, she ielt sale and cheerful, did her
work quickly during the daylight, and at even
tide slept sweely.


One morning. however, she awoke with an ex-
traordinary aud unwOnted gloom upon her mind
which was impressed with the apprehension that
something strange was about TO happen to her
or hers. So full was she of this thought that she
could not stay at home that day but must go
abroad to give vent to it, unboSoming herself 10
her friends, especially to her daughter With
her she spent the greater part of the day, and to
her several times repeated the recital OF her ap-
prehensions. The daughter as often repeated the
assurance that her good mother had never done
injury to any person, and added Il cannot think
any one would hurt you, for you have not an
enemy in the world


On her way home she called on a neighbor
who lived in the last house before she reached
her own. Here she again made known her con-
tinued apprehensons, which had nearly ripened
into fear, and from the lady OF the mansion she
received answers similar TO those of her daugh-
ter. You have harmed no one in your lifetime,
surely no one will molest you Here Rover. said
she TO a stout Watchdog that lay on the floor,
here Rover, 20 home with Mrs. Mozher, and
take care OF her. Rover did as he was told. The
widow went home, milked her cows. took care
of everything out OF doors, and went to he'd as
usual. Rover had not left her for an instant.
When she was fairly in bed, he laid himself down
upon the outside, and as the widow relied upon
lis fidelity, and perhaps chiding herself for need.
less fear, she fell asleep Some time in the night
she awoke, being startled, probably, by slight
noise outside the house. Ii was 80 slight, however.
that she was not aware Of heing startled at all,
but heard, as soon as she awoke, II sound like
the raising of window near her bed. which was
in room on the ground floor.


The dog neither barked or moved Next, there
was another sound, as if some one was in the
room and stepped cautiously on the floor. The
woman saw nothing, but now for the first time,
felt the dog move as he made a violent spring
from the bed, and at the same moment something
fell on the floor, sounding like heavy log. Then
followed other noises like the paving of dogs
feet but soon all was still again, and the dog
resumed his place on the bed without having
barked or growed at all


This time the widow did not go to sleep i'm
mediately, but lay awake, suffering, yet not
deeming il best to get up. But at last she dropped
asleep, and when she awoke the sun was shining.
Que udSliIy Stppcu Jul vi Dcu anu tlVie iay tuC
body of man, extended on the floor, dead, with
a large knife in his hand, which was now
extended.


The dog had seized him by the throat with
grasp of death, and neither man nor dog could
utter a sound till all was over The man was the
WIDOWS son-in-law, the husband OF her only
daughter. He coveted her little store of wealth,
her house, her cattle and her land and itstigated
by his sordid impatence, he could not wait for
the decay of nature TO give her property up to
him and his, as the only heirs apparent, but
made this stealthy visit to do deed of darkness
in the gloom of the night. A fearful retribution
awaited him. The widow sapprehensions, com
muncated to her mind, and impressed upon her
nerves by what unseen power we know not, the
sympathy of the woman who loaned the dog,
and the silent but certain watch of the dog him.
SELF formed a chain of events which brought the
murderer's blood upon his own head, and which
are difficult to be explained without reference to
that Providence which numbers the hairs, of our
heads, watches the sparrow's fall, and shapes
our ends, roueh hew them as we will