The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-02-18

FROM THE GERMAN OF GEORGE DORING.
We suddenly received from home the
intelligence that my father had taken
seriously i'll, and had expressed wish
, that we should return The necessity
was so urgent, that delay was not to be
thought of, and we started that very
hour. 1t was sad journey we had to
make A few days before, it had thawed
aud then again frozen hard ; now the
snow fell in thick fakes, and the wealth
er was piercing cold. My anxiety about
my father gave me no rest, ard Axinia
longed earnestly to be at home, and be-
-ssae-the sick bed. We determined to
travel the night through, and we we're
the better enabled to do this, as towards
evening it having ceased to snow, we
expected moonlight night, and our dri-
yer, Rosko, was we'll acquainted with the
road We were we'll ruished with
furs, and also provisions for our journey.
Before the night came on, we had reached
the wide spreading forest which separa-
ted US from our native home, aud which
stretches away iu tine distance towards
Lithuania, there to unite itself with the
boundl0ss forests of that country. The
road we travelled was wide enough to re-
ceive, without hindrauce, the complete
light of the full moon but the frequent
rough places in it which had been caused
by the sharp frost following immediate
ly upon the thaw, checked our progress,
and cost our horses the greatest exertion.
A perfect stiffness reigned around US.
which was broken only by the tottering
of the horses aud the heavy breathing
of the lady's maid, an old French woman,
who had fallen asleep. My thoughts
were by the bed of my sick father, and
neither Axinia nor myself felt inclined
to talk. 1t was just an hour before
mid nigh., and nothing particular had
happened on our lonely way when sud
denly the borses which drew our sleigh,
began to show an unusual kind of unea-
siness; they snorted and chafed, and
without being urged with the whip, they
galloped faster aud faster. They were
horses we had had for several years,
and which could be induced to 60 out of
their usual speed only by some very ex-
traordiDary cause. They appeared anx-
ious and fearful, and often turned their
heads around to look back, and then it
always seemed as if some unknown pow
er impelled them to re.ewed exertion.
From these sudden dashiugs forward,
their pace soon because SO wild and ir-
regular. that Rosko was obliged to use
some restraint; to this they gave way,
it is true, but not without resistance,
with the appearance of the greatest ter
ror. Axinia was too deeply engaged in
her own thoughts and feelings to pay
any attention 70 the altered behavior of
the animals hut I. being used to them
aud their habits, felt agitated, aud pre-
wonderful occurrence and old Rosko,
also, appeared to be seized with certain
uneasy feeling. He looked back several
times quickly, and seemed to be listen
ing, then he gave the horses the reins, so
that they were free to 60 at their own
speed, and off they set in full gallop. /
was SO seated in the sleigh that by just
turning my head my mouth was just
close TO our drivers ear. "What is the
matter Rosko ?' whispered I, so gently
to him that it was impossible for Axinia
to catch what 1 said "You seem to be
alarmed, and as if the uneasiness of the
horses had communicated itself to you"
The old man considered for moment,
and then answered me in the same low
tone, 81 fear the wolves are upon our
track; the cold has driven them out Of