Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-05-21
Great Love.

vas travelling on special business In
the interior of Russia. It was the be-
ginning of winter, but the frost had set
in early. His carriage rolled up to an
inn, and he demanded relay of horses
to carry him on to the next station
where he intended to spend the night.
The innkeeper entreated him not to pro-
ceed for he said there was danger in
travelling so late; the wolves were out.
But the nobleman thought the man
merely wished to keep him as guest
he said it was too early for wolves, and
ordered the horses to be put to. He |
then drove off, with his wife and bis |
only daughter inside the carriage with
him.
On the box of the carriage was
serf, who had been born on the noble
mans estate, to whom he was much at
tached, and who loved his master as he
loved his own life. They rolled over
the hardened snow, and there seemed
no signs of danger. The moon shed
her pale light, and brought out into
FURNISHED silver the road on which they
were going. At length the little girl
said to her father, ''What was that
strange howling sound that / just
heard p "Oh, nothing but the wind
sighing through the forest trees" re-
piled the father. The child shut her
eyes, and was quiet. But soon she
said again, sListen, father it is not
like the wind, l think" The father
listened and far, far away, in the dis
tance behind him, through the clear,
cold frosty air, he heard noise which
he too well knew the meaning of.
He then put down the window, and
spoke to his servant: ''The wolves, /
fear, are after US make haste. Tell
} the man to drive faster, and get your
pistols ready" The position drove
? faster. But the same mournful sound
which the child had heard approached
4 nearer and nearer. 1t was quite clear
!, that pack of wolves had scented them
out. The nobleman tried to calm the
;. anxious fears of his wife and child.
. . At last the baying of the pack was
= distinctly heard. So he said to his
" servant, "When they come up with us,
It do you single out one, and fire and |
,e will single out another; and while the
h rest are devouring them, we shall get
4 on AS soon as he put down the win
Of dow he saw the pack in full cry behind
! !, the large dog-wolf at their head. Two
L. shots were fired, and two of the wolves
, fell. The others instantly set upon
= them, and devoured them and mean
r. while the carriage gained ground.
le But the taste of blood only made
j. them more furious, and they were soor
Ii up with the carriage again. Again
n two shots were fired; and two more
is fell, and were deyoured. But the car
Il riage was speedily oyertaken, and the
y post-house was yet far distant.
u The nobleman then ordered the pos.
~ tilion to loose one of his leaders, that
lt lt they might gain little time. This
81 81 was done, and the poor horse plunged
he he frantically into the forest, the wolves
v after him, and was soon torn to pieces
en- Then another horse was sent off, anC
On shared the same fate. The carriage
. labored on as fast as it could with th,
he two remaining horses /; but the post
is house was still distant.
~ At length the servant said to hi
IN master, 81 have served you ever since
~, w. I was child I love you as my owl
~ - SELF Nothing now can save you bu
" one thing. Let me save you. asl
be you only to look after my wife and m,
ng little ones" The nobleman remor
or strated, but in vain. When the wolve
Is next came up, the faithful servan
ro- threw himself amongst them. Th
ell two painting horses galloped on wit
ne the carriage, and the gates of the pos
a Oe, house just closed in upon it as the feal
- =. full pack we're on the point of maxim
on ~ the last and fatal attack. But II
art travellers were safe.
the The next morning they went out, an
der saw the place where the faithful Sc
ere want had been pulled down by Il
the wolves. His bones only were there
ere And on that spot the nobleman erectt
ons wooden pillar, on which is write
yet "Greater love hath no man than thi
m .aon that man lay down his life for /
ets ~ friends 'But God commended
Owe love toward US, in that while we we
yet sinners, Christ died for u.s.