Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1859-06-22


with good cneer, its festal games and diver.
sions. It was Christmas eve. The slautipo
rays of The setting sun threw crimson GLOW
over the pure mantle of snow which covered
the earth. as a gay party were assembled be.
fore the door of Helen Gray, in sleighs. with
the merry bells sending forth musical chime
upon the keen frosty air.-Ah! there are few
sounds so Welcome to a young, joyful heart
as those same jiugling, tingling bells, partic-
ularly when protected from the biting air,
the timed maiden nestled closer to the side
OF him she loves best on earth; at least Sc
thought Helen Gray, as, blushing for the
| delay, she gaily sprang into the little fanci-
full sleigh followed by Robert Lee, her be-
trothed. And, as the last merry laugh,
mingled with the Ginning bells, died away in
the distance, the old matrons of the village
closed their doors, and assembled around
glowing hearthstones, beguiled the passing
hours IN pleasant "reminiscences of by-gone
days
lt-was glorious sunset. The mountain
! tops and the unsulied snow cleaned with a
deeper crimson. while the pendant icicles and
hoar upon the branches of the trees glittered
with prismatic splendor, and huge masses
| and tiers of golden and purple clouds linger-
ed IN the west, catching the last rays of glory
| from their departed monarch.
Proudly rose the bright, full moon, in
| the star -gemmed sky, and onward cheerfully
few the gay party, beneath her pure silvery
light, and as the keen air tinged each cheek
with q moro ruddy hue, the laugh and jest be
came more and more merry. At length on
arriving at a Cross road, it was proposed that
the party should separate, and each endeav-
or to reach the village at the same period
All agreeing adieus were given, and the
painting horses once more bounded beneath
the lash
1t was gloomy. deep defle through the
mountains, that Robert Lee, In his wild
spirits had chosen after the separation, in
order to reach home more quickly. The rays
OF the moon struggling through the branches
of the gloomy frs and spectral forest trees,
as their gnsrled naked limbs met overhead
caused shodder to creep over the timed
Helen, as casting fearful glance at the dis
nal forest, shd messy gray rocks around her
she covered closer to the side of her Lover
begging him to hasten.
Fear nothing. dearest" replied Robert,
ct the same time applying the lash. Il know
every inch of ground around there Is not q
rock but have climbed in my hunting expe-
ditions
As he spoke, far off sound, like wo-
mans moaDing vail, broke on the stiffness,
fer Lee had taken of the bells to deceive
their companions. Helen's cheek bIanched
as she listened, and cried:
1t is. 1t must be some Of on. friends in
distress!"
mo, no. hastily replied Robert, urging
on the foaming horses, ''tis but the soreech
of an owl, SO Danish your fears, little one,
and look at the peerless moon; twas on such
a bright night as this, my Helen, year ago,
that you raised your innocent eyes to mine,
with the moon cleaning full in your face and
told me that you would be mine own little
wife. One more week darling and you will
redeem the wOrd!''
Again the uournful wall was borne on the
breeze, and this time seemed echoed again
and again. Lees stern lip quivered, and
his cheek paled, as he eagerly scanned the
dark, rocky sides of the mountains, and the
sbadowy trees, while his companion, fearing
she knew not what, clung still closer to his
side. Robert lashed the horses into swifter
gallop, and the sped silently on through that
seemingly interminable defile
Again the discordant sounds burst upon
their ears. this time evidently nearer than
they were before, Robert eagerly whisper
ing:
Fear nothing, love they cannot harm you
it's only the owls or wild cats. Do not trem-
bic so.''
Robert! Robert.' shrieked the agonized
girl ''you cannot deceive me-the aooIUes are
upoa as! They scent our track, Great God
mereiful Providence. see, see. they are herep'
And there. winding down the steep side
of the mountains, leaping eagerly from craig
to craig, came the gaunt, half starved horde,
= NJ ba,r
S wifter few the naddened horses, whose in
stincts taught them the blood thirsty foe was
near, while Helen, half fainting, incapable of
speaking, shrank closer to Lee, who inward
Iy cursing his mad folly for leading him into
50 lonely spot, unarmed, could only fierce
ly lash the frantic steeds, and endeavor to
comfort poor Helen.
On they came, the ravenous gang, gaining |
each moment upon the unhappy occupants of /
the sleigh. Helen, casting one horror strick |
en- glance behind, could already discern the |
white fangs, the fiery red eyes |
IF their lean hungry pursuers. 1t was race
ior life and death!
The bells and buffallalo-robes were alter |
lately thrown out. to divert them, if but for |
moment from the pursuit, bat, furious with |
'epeated disappontments, the savage animals |
'euewed the chase with redoubled Vigor. The
ailing horses strove their utmost, but the
wolves were upon them. A moment more
md the largest and fiercest of the pack was
1t the side of the low cutter, his paws were
upon the edge, when sharp cut from Lees
whip across the face, left him behind for a
but with howl of rage the fu-
lous beast once more gained upon them
Zee then made vain attempts to free one of
he horses from his harness as a victim, m |
'ssuage the appetite of the wolves; but it was
90 late. In vain the wretched man essayed
o defend himself with whip. They were all
ipon him; their sharp fangs buried in his
lands. in his arms. his throat, his breast