The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-03-18
JOSH, JENNA AND THE WOLVES.

IoF IL w neneVer he saw her his heart
bounded up into his throat 30 violently
that he was thrown to the ground. Cold
chills would run all over him, as he ex-
| pressed it, ''from the sole of his head to
the crown of his foot" Jemima was pref
| ty, to Josh; her hair, ''red as the red sea, -"
large eyes which had the faculty of looking
ways opposite each other at the same time,
and a nose which looked as if it had been
heightened by the addition of several
others.
Now Joshua had never escorted Jemi-
ma home, for she lived near two miles
from Fleaburg. She came to "meetin' {"
every Sabbath night, and would walk
across the fields all alone, not in the least
afraid of the wild beasts which at that
time infested the country. But one night
our hero resolved to bear the damsel CONS
Pany, and accordingly prepared for his
nocturnal journey. He got his grand
fathers horse pistol, and loaded it to the
muzzle, and thrust large butcher knife
in his bosom, which thrust didn't hurt
him much, for it was the bosom of his
coat A lantern completed his ''fixings."
The meeting closed, and Josh, with Je-
NINA leaning on his arm like large
gourd hanging from tall yiae, set out for
the Pineapple mansion.
1--WE are In the woods now, Jemima,"
said Josh. as he assisted his partner over
the fence of the last field, sand now comes
the tug Of war. I'll bet dime that these
woods are full of wolves"
81 think they will not attack Us but
if they do, oh Joshua, on thy arm will
recline and breathe my life out sweetly
there And she gave such a sigh that
Josh started, thinking it the half smoth-
cred growl of bear.
"What's the matter, Josh p
''Oh, nothing" And gaining new
courage at the sound of Jemima's voice,
he squeezed her arm till she nearly
screamed aloud
Suddenly a strange cry echoed through
the woods.
Evolves ~ shouted Josh.
"Bears - re-echoed his partner.
'Come, Jemima, let US git" And
they got.
Through the woods they went, Josh
literally dragging Jemima along. TIE
foe was approaching ; the couple could
hear his footsteps in the leaves, tor they
had wandered from the path
Josh, / can't &c any farther; we must
'tree' its" said Jemima, as she paused Tor
breath.
esBy gosh, we must Here is a tree
with its limbs nigh-hanging on the
ground Climb it, Jemima Here go.
Cad if the animal climbs the tree, what
then 2" And with bound the terrified
Joshua climbed up the tree, leaving Jemi-
ma to follow him or be devoured by the
terrible pursuer few feet in their wake.
But .Jemima was an old climber, and
was soon beside Josh, who was perched
in one of the highest branches OF the tree
s'Listen, Jemima; hear the horrible
thing gnawing at the tree. 1t Is wolves,
sures shootin'. They will gnaw the tree
down in half an hour"
81 fear SO, joshua
s'But behold, Jemima! I've got pis-
toll" said our hero, thinking of his weap-
on for the first time that night "Now.
just keep still while shoot"
He deliberately cooked the weapon,
pointed it down through the branches
where their pursuer was paving among
the leaves, and fired. 1t was destructive
shot, and josh went spinning through the
tree like creased lightning. He had load
Ell his pistol so heavily that it had kicked
him from his perch into the jaws of the
animal below. But fortunately he alight-
ed on his feet, and in an instant he was
again up the tree, hatless, his red locks
catching in the linn be, which cruelty tore
them from his heads'
81 was burned fool, Jemima, 10 have
loaded that pistol so heavily, and it kicked
me right into the wolves mouths; but.
thank Moses, l escaped. just feel my
head
Jemima placed her hand upon Josh's
Uranium, and Withdrew it wet with gore.
'sThat is my blood, shed for you. Jemi>
ma, and / am willing to S! . more, deg
oned if ain'i."
0Can the wolves climb !"
"Climb like rabbits, Jemima; and every
minute am looking to see them come up
here l do believe my shot killed half
dozen of them. Listen at them gnawing.
IF we could only keep them gnawiEg at
something else besides the tree, till day
light. we should be safe"
"Maybe they are like bears, Joshua.
they will eat anything you throw to
them"
swell, I'll try them so first here goes
my boots" and taking off his fine boots,
Josh groped his way out on limb,
"Farewell dear boots, bran new ones,
cost eight dollars this blessed morning.
Farewell, l sacrifice you for Jemima,'
and the splendid boots were gone.
For awhile the animal ceased gnawing
the tree, and gnawed the boots, Josh ours
ing inwardly the while At last the gnaw
ing re- commenced.
ssBlast him he amt satisfied with
eight dollars worth of leather, so I'll have
to give him seventeen dollars worth of
.-,o-,k -. ooak .,ao