North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-04-27

When was little boy lived among the
Green Mountains Of Vermont; in winter
making snow forts and sliding down the
steep hills, and in summer and autumn wan
derlng over the mountains after flowers and
nuts, or catching the beautiful trout from the
brook. But my Brother in Wisconsin wrote
me to come to him, and went. Our house
was on what was called "Baxter's Prarie.n-
| The prarie was covered with flowers and the
| many clear lakes around abou nded in Hsh
and wild ducks but our principal food was
hoe cake and salt pork. One of our neigh
bnr> had no meat for some time, and getting
out Of powder they had no game SO one day
they sent up their oldest son, boy alb ,ut
ten year old, for piece of pork. As he was
carrying it honewards and going through a
piece of woods by "SiIver Lake." he heard a
rnstlng of the leaves in a thicket by tho
roadside. He stopped and listened-all was
sill. Again he pushed forward, again the
leaves rus'led behind him, and he thought he
heard stealthy step. Again he stopped
everything was still except the gentle dash
ut the waves upon the pebby beach, and the
rapid beating of his own heart,
He d readed to go forward, and he dared
mt stay, for be SAW night was approaching
when the woods alawys echoed with the
hungry wolf, and the savage bear and the
sealthy. catamount came out from their dan.
81 picking ups club, he again started home.
ward Again came the steal'hy step behind
nun, nearer and nearer, until he saw gaunt
ard savage wolf creeping after him. and a. he
hurried nn. still clinging to his meat and thu
Won vas Coming nearer and nearer, and ho
night at any moment spring upon him.
otilI the hoy though he trernbled in every
I'm6' did not lose his presence of mind. He
remembered having hea I'd his father s.v
mat II any one faced wild animal, and look.
ed 1t square in the eye, it would MT dare 20
attack him. He turned around. faced ,ba
hungry wolf, and commenced walking bsck-
wards towards his home, still Ia lon. mas
and half away. As the woods grew dark
er' the wolf came nearer showing his white
teeth with the hair bristling upon his back.
The courageous boy knew that if he pave r,
MS piece of pork he was safe, and cou,d run
home unmolesfed but he knew there VA,
hungry ones at hone awaiting his return
80 back wards he went step by step. A, tho
~"h came nearer, he hit him square upon
me head with stone, when with an angry
'TeIp' the wolf sprang into the thicker. and
SET up long and dismal howl. Tho hnv
listened 10 hear If there were anv ansuor;,.
"''" 's' ana hearing none, took courage bur
s'"h The savage beast, maddened with hun.
ger came at him again. With his club ba
ave hn well directed blow between fbs
eyes, which sent him howIing back info ,ba
th,ckst.
Again and again was the contest renswsd
many times did the savage animal make
>prng at the lad, ami many times did tho
brave boy beat him off, until at last he eans
near the log capn of his parents, whenaths
hungry wolf, with long and wailinr howl,
dashed away into the woods. Tremh,;n.
win excitement and wet with perspir.,;on
the boy dropped the meat upon tb. ,oo-
crying, " NJ 'ther, I've got it," and fell er.
hausted at his mothers feet. d.. -.-.-s