The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-07-09
For the Kenosha Telegraph.
THE YOHO.
BY MAUD MYRTLE.

The time of our story is about fifty years
ago. The scene is Madison County,in the State
of New York The portion of country which
We refer to, was originally, heavily timbered,
and at this> time was but partially cleared,
large tracts of wooded, swampy land stretch
ing away for miles, broken only here and there
by log causeway for the accommodation of
travellers. Not all the wild beasts of the prim-
eval forest had been driven from the country,
some still remaining, among which were two
very curious animals, so people said, exceed
ingly fierce and powerful One was called the
''Wooen-Eag," large half-bird half-beast
covered with bright woolly coat at had a
huge mouth, long legs and would run as fast
as horse" When children went to school
''if they were not good and did not get their
lessons, and mind the master, the ''woolen Gag"
would stalk out of the dark woods that doomed
UP. on each side of the road and gobble them
ND at mouthful." / have heard those who
were children then, say that this ''woolen eag'
was the greatest terror of their childhood
The other animal was said to be half human.
Some called it the wild man." 1t had a hui
man shape, was tall and gaunt and fierce, with
sharp eyes, a wide mouth, and long arms, and
fingers with sharp claws, and was covered all
very much like the Gorilla thatha since been
discovered in the wilds of Africa. Both Of
these denizens were very shy, never having
been certainly seen by any Of the living gen
Grafton, though many earnestly declared that
they had sometimes caught glimpses of them
Both were gifted with wonderful powers-the
''woolen Gag" eating children, whereas man
was said to make but small meal for a"Y oho."
The ''woolen eag'' was supposed to live in the
woods of Madison County, while there was
but one ''yoho' i'll all that region Of curiosity
He lived but little time in a place, accord
ing to tradition, but his habits were SO retired
no one could tell for certainty Many and
strange were the stories told of these curious
beings, by old people, with admonitory eau
tions to the young, to avoid offending them.
To have doubted the truth of these stories,
would have been esteemed, by most of the
community, as bad as doubling the Bible.
Those who even dared to doubt, and they
were few, wisely kept their own counsel. One
no not only doubted but disbelieved was a
handsome young carpenter, by name Edward
Lyse. But he kept his belief to himself, for
several reasons. He had long loved Matte
Mills, the fair-haired, rosy-cheeked, blue-eyed
girl, who lived in the little brown house under
the hill. She was the darling of her simple
superstitious parents, firmly believed all they
had ever heard about the ''woolen Gag" and the
yoho."
Matte was handsome, buxom lass, and
was not without her share of vanity. She had
long known of Edward Lysle's love, though
in words he had never told her, for always as
he approached esubject nearest his heart, she
Icontriyed to confuse him and lead him wild
goose chase"
Again and again had he tried to get some
answer from the pretty little tease, but she
would never admit, that he was anything to
her.
Though she loved him better than life, she
was not quite ready to give up freedom, and
own him lord of her heart For what woman
does not give up joyous freedom, Tor an I'M
tried servitude. when she owns she loves.
! Edward Lysle was at work on new house,
| in a clearing among the timber, not much
more than a mile from the little brown house
where Matte Mills dwelt He was energetic
and industrious, and was at his work before
sunrise One clear, cold, frosty morning ID
November he went to his work at the usual
hour, thinking, as he often did think, how ne
should bring Matte to terms.
| He went to his workbench, and reaching a
large plane, drew it across the top of his mi
ter-box AS he drew it slowly across the fros-
ty steel coming in contact with the smooth pine
gave forth peculiar, loud yelling, squeallng'
screaming sound, which amused the rather ao-
sent-1ninded workmenso much thathe repeat
ed the movement several times with the same
effect, producinga most unearthly noise, which
went echoing through the forest, and over the
hill and dale, startling the simple yeoman al
most out of their senses. Neighbor graspe,d
neighbours hand, and looking each In the pale
face asked in a whisper of the other "Do you
heat that ! 1t is the Yoho." Little children
terrified and silenced, crouched around their
mothers knees, speaking, 'The Yoho, The
Yoho." ..-...-.
In about an hour, all the men and boys for