Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1860-10-06
A Truo Story.

!
covered wagon and built their cabin. The
spo, which they had chosen as their rest
ing place was one OF uncommon beauty
and fertility. The noble forest, which
commanded a slight eninence on the
right, shut off the fierce winds which Of
ten swept in devastating iornadoes over
the stale. and watered as it was by one Of
the many streams which find their way
from the mountain 20 the broad gulf, which
washes the southern shore, il seemed in
deed worth all the toll and privation
which they had endured 10 reach it.
! II would be long befo:e they would be
able TO make for themselves such home
as thoy had left behind them but they
had brought some of its comforts with
them, ard they were full oflifc and health
and they were ell together, and they look
cd forward TO many years OF happiness in
their Texan homo. Two children they
had borne with them across the plains,
little girl, and boy some two years her
senior.
Every hand in that little household was
ready 10 help ; no one was idle, not even
tho children. They found much to do in
helping mother weed the garden, in bring
ing water from the springs, or helping
father feed The cattle. The last duty Of
tho day, which was the bringing homo Of
old Brindlc, fell 10 the little boy, and as it
was a task which he rather on joyed, his
sister was not untrcquently accompanied
him.
Tho spring and summer had passed a
way, and the first little crop had been
gathered in, and autumn evenings, when
the early supper was over. that little
James had taken his hat from the peg, and
called 10 Bessie TO fetch her bonnet aud
90 with him TO hunt Brindlc. The air
was mild and still ns that OF June, and
over all the ives! lay the glory Of the sum
sot, like tho incense of good deeds, which,
as tia. sunset, lingor after tho spiri, which
called thom forth had departed.
Their walk lay through tho broad prai-
ric. now parchod and brown, toward the
woods which lay to tho south. and lined
by the beauty of the evening. They lin
gcIcd longer than was their won. upon
the way. No trace of the COW hada been
seen as yet, and they had wandered some
little distance from home. Tho short
twilight was coming swiftly on, and they
were still discussing the proprlety OF CO.
ing farther into the woods, when low
growl, which they knew, alas but too
we'll, ,camc 10 their terrified ears. There
was no time to DC lost. Though the
sound seemed to come from tire remote
border of the woods, they knew the fierce
creature would soon be upon them.
"Bcssie." said the little horo, "thats
Tho wolf; run for your life, and if you
drop your bonnet don't stop 10 pick il up.
rIIkecp between you and ii, and will
pray os we run"
The dreadful sound was approaching
they almost thought they could hear The
tread of The four feet close behind them
and as, with what speed they could, they
Ihaslen along The path over which lhcyhnd
so la,oly come, thoughts of home, Of faith
er and mother, of all things dear, came
into their litle hearts as they streamed
along the lonely road. The glow was
! fast fadiug out of the west, and the dusky
eve was gathering her sober mantle over
the face of The earth but from the cottage
which might be seen for miles upon the
level plains, they saw the light CLEAN from
their mothers window, and with new
vigor they pressed on. Bessio's tagging
energies, encouraged by her brothers. no.
bic words, revived and as now close bo-
hind them they heard the fearful roar,
they ran on almost breathIes and painting
towards their beloved home. The way
was rough for their little feet, and patches
of Bessie's summer dress were left upon
the wild roses which grew along the path,
and her little hat was left far behind down
the road.
On, on, faster. came the fearful beast,
until they seemed TO feel his hot breath
upon their cheeks, and though only few
rods now lay between them and the cot
,age, they had scarcely hope of gaining
it. A film seemed gathering over Bes-
sizes eyes. her limbs began 10 totter. her
steps 10 fslter. when above the howllng
Of the dreadful wolf she heard her mothers
shrek, and looking up saw her standing
with oulsrelched arms on the door-sione.
Again family came 10 her ear the words
"Bessie, for mothers sake y and once
more she started on. The fence was
gained, a frantic hand pulled her over, and
with James che sank al her mothers side.
Unseen by that little group. clasped III
each others arms, the father, who from
distant point Of The clearing hadfirst seen
his children's danger, now crossed the
fcnco, and sinking beside them. while the
tears rolled from his eyes, he claspod them
IN hia arms,