The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1862-12-12
Great Love.

j
travelling on special business in the interior
of Russia. It was the beginning of winter,
but the frost had set in early. His carriage
rolled up to an inn, and he demanded a re-
lay of horses to carry him to the next station,
where he intended to spend the night. The
inn-keeper entreated him not to proceed; for
he said there was danger in travelling so late,
the wolves were out. But the nobleman
thought the man merely wished to keep him
as guest; he said it was too early for wolves,
and ordered the horses to be put to. He
then drove off with his wife and his only
daughter inside the carriage with him.
On the box of the carriage was serf, who
had been born on the nobleman's estate, to
whom he was much attached, and who loved
his master as he loved his own life. They
rolled over the hardened snow, and there
seemed no signs Of danger. The moon shed
her pale light, and brought out into FURNISH
ed silver the road on which they were going.
At length the little girl said to her father,
''What was that strange bowling sound that
just heard !" 90 nothing but the wind sing
ing through the forest trees" replied the
father The child shut her eyes and was
quiet. But soon she said again, Listen,
father; it is not like the wind, | think" The
father listened: and far, far away in the dis
lance behind him, through the clear, cold,
frosty air, he heard noise which he too well
knew the meaning of.
. He then put down the window. and spoke
to his servant "The wolves, fear, are af-
ter us; make haste. Tell the man to drive
faster. and get your pistols ready" The
postllion drove faster. But the same mourn
full sound which the child heard approached
nearer and nearer 1t was quite sure that a
pack of wolves had scented them out. The
nobleman tried to calm the anxious fears of
his child and wife.
At last the baying of the pack was distinct
" heard. So he said to his servant, when
they come up with US, do you single out one
and fire, and will single out another; and
while the rest are devouring them, we shall
get on" As soon as he put down the win
dow, he saw the pack in full cry behind, the
large dog-wolf at their head. Two shots were
fired, and two wolves fell. The others in
stantly set upon them and devoured them;
and meanwhile the carriage gained ground.
But the taste of blood only made them more
furious, and they were soon up with the car
rage again. Two more shots were fired, and
two more fell and were devoured. But the
carriage was speedily overtaken, and the post
house was yet far distant.
The nobleman then ordered the p0stillion
to loose one of his leaders, that they might
gain little time. This was done, and the
poor horse plunged frantically in the forest,
and the wolves after him. and was soon torn
to pieces. Then another horse was sent of,
and shared the same fate. The carriage
labored on as fast as it could with the two re-
naming horses; the post-house was still dis
tant.
At length the servant said to his master,
81 have served you ever since was child;
l love you as my own self. Nothing can now
save you but one thing. Let me save you. /
ask YOU only to look after my wife and little
ones" The nobleman demonstrated, but in
vain. When the wolves next came up, the
servant threw himself amongst them. The
painting horses galloped on with the carriage,
and the gates of the post-house Just closed in
upon it, as the fearful pack were on the point
of making the last and fatal attack. But the
travellers were safe.
The next morning they went out and saw
the place where the faithful servant had been
pulled down by the wolves. His bones were
only there. And on that spot the nobleman
erected wooden pillar, on which is written,
sGreater love hath no man than this, that
man lay down his life for his friend" "But
God commendeth lis love towards us, in that
while we were vet sinners Christ died for us"
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