True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-02-17

struck with my fist, and again those fear
ful jaws shut with snap, as my hand
brushed his head. With a demoniac
grow he fastened upon the shoulder Of
Carrie 4! o for help! for weapon,
foothold upon earth, where | could crap
pie with the monster!
heard The long (angs crunch into the
flesh, and the smothered breathings, as
the wolf continues to make sure ofshis
hold! o it was horrible | beat him
over the head, but he only deigned
munching growl. yelled, prayed, wept
but the hungry devil cared not for pray
ers. His companions were still bowling
and whining, and venturing out upon the
pine. almost wished the tree would
give way.
The wolf still kept his hold upon Car
rie. None can dream how the blood his
sed and swept through my knotted veins,
At last the brute hungry. for his prey
gave wrench, and nearly threw me from
the pine. Carrie was helpless and insen-
sible. Even the crunchibg teeth of the
monster did not awaken her from the
deathly swoon into which she had fallen.
Another wrench was made by the
wolf and Carries waist slipped from my
aching grasp, leaving me but the hold
upon the skirt of her dress. The incar-
nate devil had not released his hold, but
as If aware of the danger beneath, retain
ed his grip on the shoulder Of Carrie.
The end had come My brain reeled
The long body of the wolf hung down.
ward like a dark shadow in the abyss,
fast wearing out my remaining strength.
The blood gushed warmly from my nos
trils, and lights danced across my eye
balls. The overlaxed muscle of the hant
would relax. and as instantly close con
vulsively upon the eluding skirt. heart
tearing Of stitches. The black mas
wrilhed and wrenched, as If 10 deepen th
hold. A cracking mingled with the hum
, ming noise, and the dress parted at th'
waist | sbrieked as | heard the swoop
ing sound of the fall of the black devi
and bis victim, as they shot down into
the darkness. heard something likt
the bay of the old house dog, and the fl
ring OF guns. and heard no more.
Weeks and months passed away be(or'
the fearful delirium of that night left me
l returned to consciousness in my father
cabin, an emacialed creature, helpless a
child, My youth had passed away
and l was prematurely old. The raveI
: locks Of twenty had changed to the silve
ry lines Of eighty years of age. Loo
on this arm that clung to Carrie hav
+ never raised it since that night In m
t dreams l feel again that fearful night
= and awake, covered with the cold, clam
: my sweat, that gathered upon me Will
! on the pine.
J, The neighing Of the horse as he rushe
9 into the clearing, had aroused the peopl
: al, home. I...r.. t..>
The empty and broken sleigh told th
e brief story,
e The bowling of the wolves arose on tn
blast, and with guns and the old hous
d dog. they rushed to the scene. The
IS found me senseless upon the trunk, co..
d cred with blood, and wolf feeling h
= way towards me. In turning at Il
sound of their approach, he slipped ar
III went down upon the ice.
Our people looked long for Carrie M
in son, but did not find her ill next mornin
N They then went down upon the ice al
il found her corpse. The wolves had n
n picked her crushed bunes-I thank
o, God for that. The fall had partially br
* ken the ice, aud the oozing water h
frozen and fastened her long black hair
| it foated out. The wolf bad not relea
ii ed his death grasp, and his teeth we
an buried in her pure white shoulders. n'
The spring, sunshine, and birds, a
e, green leaves had come again, as iotter
ut out. My sisters led me to grave Cd t
- rivers bank--lhe grave Of all my yout
in full hopes, and Of all that / loved. I
ire wild flowers were already on the sacr
tie mound. / wept over and blessed the
he for they were blooming on the grave
- Carrie, Such was the fate of my Fl
nd and only love. There never was but {
kc Carrie Mason. ''I VISA =