The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-03-29

comes on great deal earlier than 1t does
here, where the woods are all cut away.
In the shadow of old oaks, ohestnuts and
naples, standing like vast army be-
tween Johns cottage and sundown, i, be.
gan to grow dark in the middle OF the al
ternooD. There was not much snow on
the ground at this time. but it was mid
winter, and the woods around must have
looked wretched, dreary and gloomy to
Sophronia, all alone in the new log house.
After John left her in the morning. she
never saw human being during the day;
nor any living thing. in fact, except the
pig and cat, and deer or two, that wan.
dered by the door.
"But, as said, Sophronia was cheerful
and happy. expecting her husband; and as
soon as it was quite dark. she had rous-
ing fire warming the log house. and halt
a dozen great potatoes 70 oasting in the ash.
es for Johns supper. Then she raked out
full half-bushel of glowing red Goals up.
on the hearth, and set the spider on over
them, loaded with several slices Of steak
-venison steak-for John had killed a
nice fat doe only the day before.
"Well, the potatoes were cooked beau.
tifullv, and the venison broiled to charm;
and Sophronia was thinking how nice it
would be. if John should pop into the
house at that moment, when she heard the
howl OF a wolf away off in the woods.
''Sophronia listened; her heart almost
stopped beating. She knew that John was
armed with his rifle and axe, and that he
was no more afraid of a wolf than of a
dog, but she could not help shuddering as
she thought of his being pursued and at
tackled by whole pack OF wolves, en-.
ragged and emboldened by hunger.
1.-The howl was repeated, and echoed
and re-echoed through the depth Of the for-
est. The hideous sounds came from the
direction of the log-roling; and Sophronia
fancied she heard shout.''
"Was il her husband that shouted?"
eagerly asked little Margaret, with her
anxious face turned upward toward the
narrator.
The old man smiled indulgently, and
patting her head, continued his story.
"Sophronia thought it was John $ voice.
but as all was silent for the next minute or
two, she thought she might be mistaken.
So she placed the broiled venison between
two plates by the fire, where it would keep
warm, and waited anxiously for repeti-
ton Of the shout.
"While she listened, another howl
and another-then half dozen in full
chorus-came through the woods in the
same direction You may imagine how
the young wife felt, when she Thought Of
her husband -
'.Oh, dear!" said Margaret, with tears;
.'but could MT he kill them with his axe?"
.Don I interrupt me. dear child. Think
of poor Sophronia, all alone in that will
derness, with wolves all around her. and
her husband away. But she feared Only
for him. Anxiety for his safety would not
let her rest; so, throwing shawl over her
head and shoulders, she opened the door
and went out. The moon was up, and
she could see distinctly to the end OF
the clearing-but nothing lived or moved
there. All was silent. Then suddenly on
the top of gloomy tree. not dozen rods
from the spot where Sophronia stood. o
dismal owl halloed, hoo! hooi hoo! hoo!
filling the woods with echoes, and the poor
woman's heart with forebodings and fear
But Sophronia thought it was the owl she
heard instead Of Johns voice; and she
was beginning 10 hope that he was out OF
danger from the wolves. when there came
another shout, and she knew his voice. .
"Was he far off Z" inquired Margaret
in painful suspense.
"Not more than quarter OF mile. In
fact Sophronia saw him a moment alter
or at least saw some tall figure-emerge
from the woods. at the end Of the clearing
and move rapidly across the white ground
Then it disappeared near young chest.
nut tree, which had been left standing in
the field; and instantly after, one. two
three. half dozen dark objects glided oyeI
1.-THE sward.''
"Were they wolves?''
sYou would have thought so, child. i
you had heard them howl as Sophronis
did, minute after She was distracted
with terror. She could not see John, and
it seemed to her that the wolves were tear
ing him; that they were fighting over their
prey.
"But when she had given him up, and
as she staggered against the corner OF the
house. faint and dizzy in despair. the
woods rang with sound which gave new
life to her heart and made her fairly leap
for joy"
"What sounds asked the golden.hair.
ed girl, her countenance Frightening with
hope.
"The report of Johns rifle. CracA
bang! and there was an instantaneous
glow Of flame shooting downward. from
the lower boughs Of the young chestnut
tree in the field.
".Ho. John!' cried Sophronia. louder
than she ever shouted before in her life.
"John is hard name to call by itself
on account of its shoriness; and Sophro
mia always put in the ho! The husband
shouted back and said something, which
she could not understand for the bowling
Of the wolves; but as soon as there was 81
lence for minute she shouted again, ant
she could make out. from what he said
that he had killed two wolves with his axe
in the woods. and shot one under the tree
and declaring himself out Of danger, ht
enjoined her not to risk her life by remain
ing out of doors that bitter night, will
ravenous wolves all around her.
"For the first time Sophronla perceived
that the air was mortal cold; it seemed full
Il - e. q Al