Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-08-27

Mary oheyed the order, and calm and pals
she stood, with that dreadful weapon p,ibt
ed at her-that ravenous animal just ready
to spring upon her form.
One tremble of the fingers hair.
breadth inaccuracy in the aim-John Hor
ton, and you will shed your own child.
blood He pulled the trigger, and closed
his eyes. The report rang out foud and
shTill over the clearing. He looked Mary
stock up as before, but the bear was writh
ing in the agonies of death at her side.
A hurried Joyful bound, and the father
held her in his arms
"0h. Mary Mary how much it is, Is
it.
He left the sentence unfinished. save by
pointing at the bleeding mass of flesh
which hung useless from her shoulder =
John Horton marked the dreadful sight,
and strong and brave hearted as he was. he
burst into teors.
Never mind, father; I have saved
Georges life."
And deeply grieving and sorrowiug over
the terrible sacrifice which was the price
of his sons salvation, yet did the fafher
rejoice thar Mary bis daughter was noble
enough to make it.
1t seemed that after takine the bows din
uer to them the cir! had set out on her re-
turn home. She had proceeded but short
distance, when q cry from George alarmed
her, and turning, she saw a large bear.
followed by her two cubs, moving STEALTH
ly across the farther portion Of the clear
ing. To turn back was her first impulse.
and she did so. William, who was a stout
young fellow Of fifteen, armed with a stick,
determined for fight rather than a flight !:
and George, cripple though he was, refused
to seek his own safety by deserving his
brother.
The struggle between the courageous
youth and his formidable adversary was
prolonged and fearful; at times the victory
was on the point of being given to William.
and then the superior strength of his foe
overpowered him. At length, blow from
the animals huge paw upon the head.
felled him to the earth. In another mo-
ment he would have been food for the
cowardly cub, had not Mary, thinking only
OF her brothers, rushed formard and thrust
her arm in the hand of which she still
held the wickered bottle tina. had contained
the coffee for the buys dinner) down the
throat of the infatuated beast.
The animal was stunn ed. and not a lit, lie
surprised by this unexpected assault, and
for an instant was vanquished.
For life, George! For your life to the
rock % cried the firl; and George. weak
and frightened by the scene, and accus-
toned as he was to obey his sister in all
things, male his hest progress towards the
ulace of refuge
1t was thus John Horton had found
them, and in few hurried words, Mary
had made him acquainted with the facts
we have related
William was uniniured, with the excent-
ton of few scratches and the application
OF cold water from neighboring spring
soon restored him to CONSEQUENCES.
Saddeaed, and yet grateful, Farmer
Horton bore Mary home in his arms. for
the loss of blood ard Pain she suffered. en-
eeehed her to such an extent that she was
wholly unable TO walk.
William supporting his lame brother
followed close behind Half way across
the hill they were met by Mrs Horton,
who was almost driven to frenzy at the
sight Of her wounded girl.
And to think !" she exclaimed uphraid
ingly, "to think that l should have been
begrudging little time, and she in such
an awful situati"r. Oh dear, poor Mary,
my poor child"
Mary Horizons mother never loved her
blue eyed daughter S. much in all her life
as she loved her then. In happiness, cur
powers of affection are latent otter it
needs trial and affection tn.make love pos
tive, to bring 1t out IT, ripen and perfect it..
Mrs. Horizons feeling towards Mary under.
went this change, and the value of that
child was never sn apparent as when she
realized how very near she bad been to los
ing her !
Mary's arm was examined by the village
physician, who Immediately decided upon
amputation from the shoulder and tie
following morning was decided for the op-
GRAFTON. DR.. Grover refused to perform
the act of discovering the unfortunate limb.
without some more experienced assistance,
and his eirand boy rode all NIGHT to bring
up surgeon from the city.
DR.. MOreton came promptly, and althO'
his reputation as skilIful and successful
practitioner had gone far and " ide, he had
scarcely seen twenty-one years.
Mary bore the tedious process without
shudder, ard through it all, DIR. Moreton's
face EXPRESSED the most sincere admiration
of her fortitude.
From that time he became a constant
visitor at the red farm house, at first alleg-
ing his anxiety in the healing of the stump
and afterwards alleging nothing, unless we
except the expressive language which
animated from his dark bright eyes. Mary
must have been able to translate the Ian
guage, for her color came in a red food
when she met the glance of those eyes, and
the heart quickened in its throbbings when
he sat duwn by her side.
One day when the remains of her lost
arm had become healed, DR.. MUreton gent
ly and delicately proposed an artificial
limb, Offering to procure it in the city, if
she consented. The extent Of her misfor-
tune swept over the young girl as he spoke,
and without being able to repress them her
tears burst forth.
DR.. Moreton put his arms around her and
drew her M close to bis breast so very
close that his lips touched her forehead
MARY" be said, why not let my life
prove to you how happy would be in Yields
ing up to your service both my arms Why
not, MaryT
She colored, and would have drawn away
from him, but he did not release her, and
all the while his eyes searched her face as
though her soul was written there, then he
spoke again.
MARY, your suffering has been my hap
piness, for it has kept me near you are
you, who sacrificed so much for brother,
ready to ruin forever, the peace of one
who loves you more than any brother ever
can? Look up my dear, and tell me-"
She did not look up, and whether she
answered him or not we do not know GER
tain it is, he only held her close, and this
time it was her lips he kissed, and not her
forshead.
When winter spread her mantle of err
mine over the hills, aud coated the bosom
of the Winnirnisseegee in an armor of Ice