The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-03-29
TO be sure!' answered julius, impa-

TO be sure!'' answered julius. impa-
tiently. Don't interrupt"
"Sophronia knew that her husband was
in the chestnut branches, above the reach
of the wolves; but still she had fears. A
branch might break-John's foot might
slip, and the hungry pack seize him with
their jaws before he reached the ground;
or, even should he escape ,hem-and John
was too cautious and selfpossessed to be
caught falling from a tree-he might be
unable to shoot one half of them, and be
kept in the tree all night; all the cold. cold
night"
Margaret shivers.
''As long as Sophronia could hear the
reports of his rife, it seemed that he was
near her. and alive; but when long in.
terval elapsed, and there was no more
firing, she started in fear, and rushing out
Of the house. shouted .ho, Johnp as des-
cribed BEFORE"
'.Dld he answer?''
"Yes. child; and he told his wife that
he had used up all his bullets. and that
there were dozens Of wolves around him!
AS for that matter Sophronia could see
that the ground was covered with them:
dark objects moving about on the white
surface of the ground, fighting. growing,
and jumping up against the tree in their
rage Of famine. Occasionally one of the
gaunt monsters would send up loud. dis
NAL cry, which would be answered in diff
ferent directions, far off in the woods.
".Do go in the housed! shouted John, Il
am safe; and you can do nothing for me.
You will freeze to death; besides wolves
are prowling about you. and they will be
upon you before you think Of it. may
have to stop till morning; but don't let it
disturb you. Go to bed and sleep if you
can.'
"While he was shouting. gaunt vol
came leaping towards Sophronia. followed
by others of the pack. Terrified. she fled
into the house just in time TO shut the door
and fasten it out; but he came up with an
angry snap and growl, which made her
blood curdle in her veins.
''She did not venture to open the door
again; and as there was no windows in the
direction of the tree, in which her husband
had taken refuge. she couldn't keep up
with him any communication. So the
best she could do was to sitdown and wall
patiently as she could for the morning
All this time the fire was burning away.
the brands falling upon the hearth, and the
potatoes turning to dry, black Goals in the
ashes.
"Well, after great while-and it was
the longest night Sophronia ever knew
the first streaks OF dawn stole into the
house, and found tlre-poor woman asleep
IN her chair. 1t was the first slumber she
had enjoyed; and when. after her watching
and anxiety, she aw oke from tha late sleep
the night was gone-daylight streamed
through the windows, and all was still
around her.
sit took Sophronia minute to collec,
her faculties and realize the terrors of the
night; then remembering her husband. she
flew to the door to see If the wolves were
dispensing. Not one was to be seen; the
field was clear, and the silence frightened
her,
"Why was she frightened? should
have thought she would be glad to find the
wolves all gone off"
"She was frightened. child. because. al
though nothing hindered Johns coming
to the house, he had not appeared. The
awful thought that he had fallen. and had
been eaten by the monsters. appalled, her
But looking closely. she soon discovered
some object in the chestnut tree, which she
hoped was her husband.
"She called to him. and a. he made ne
answer. she thought he must be asleep.
"Soon she saw two young men coming
through the woods, from the direction o
Beaver Brook. They passed directly un
der the tree without looking up; too mucl
absorbed. probably. by the sight which me
their eyes on the ground; Johns axe
which he dropped in climbing the tree
blood, the ten carcasses of wolves, and thu
snow all trampled and trodden around.
".Awful cold morning!' cried one OF ,h'
young men. seeing Sophronia approach
ing from the house. Guess you've beer
having time here. by the looks. Heard
tremendous bowling over this way, las
night. and thought we'd come over ant
see if anything was the matter
"'Where's joint
"Sophronia, speechless with anxiety ant
fear. pointed TO the boughs of the chestnut
81 am blessed!' exclaimed the frs
speaker. IF there ain't John in the tree
Hallo!'
"'His body is twined over that liml
queer enough said the other settler. Il
| declare. Charley-l believe
"'You'd better climb the tree,' said hi
companion.
1.-The young man went up like squir
rel. But before he reached the branches
Sophronia had fallen lifeless upon th'
ground. She had seen a ghastly lace
not like Johns face looking down will
staring eyes from the tree.
".Is he asleep?' cried Charles, as soor
as he saw his companion touch the body
".lf he is, he never will wake again!
muttered the other. He is stiff and COLI
as cake Of ice.'
"Was he deadl" inquired little Marga
ret, who cannot realize it.
"Yes, child; John Pitman had frozen t
death in the tree; and Sophronia. poo
child, was taken home to her fathers, ant
died the next fall, broken.hearted, it wa
said. And this is the end Of my story.