The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1869-08-12

no name IOr III. w HeuCNSl lie saw
her, his heart bounded so violently
that he was thrown to the ground.
Cold chills would run all over him, as
he expressed it, 'sfrom the sole of his
head to the crown of his foot" Jemi-
ma was pretty to Josh; her hair,
fred as the sea-" large eyes, which
had the faculty of looking ways oppo-
site each other at the same time, and
q nose which looked as if 1T had been
heightened by the addition of several
others.
Now Josh had never escorted Jemi-
ma home, for she lived two miles from
Fleasburg. She came to meetin' every
Sabbath night, and would walk across
the fields 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 dasmal
company, and accordingly prepared for
his nocturnal company. he got his
grandfather's horse-pistol and loaded
it to the muzzle, and thrust large
buthcher knife in his bosom, which
didn't hurt him much, for it was the
the bosom of his coat. A lantern COM
pleted his "fixings."
The meeting closed, and Joshua,
with Jemima leaning on his arm, like
a large gourd hanging from tall vine,
set out for the Pineapple mansion.
"We are in the woods, now, Jemi-
ma" said Josh, as he assisted hsi
partner over the fence of the last field,
sand now comes thetug of war. I'll bet
a dime that these woods are full of
wolves"
II think they will not attack us !;
but if they do, oh, Joshua, on thy arm
l will recline, and breathe my life out
sweetly there" And she gave such a
sigh that Josh started, thinking it the
halfsmothered growl of bear.
"What is the matter, Josh ,"
ooh, nothing" And gaining new
courage at the sound of Terminals
voice, he squeezed her arm till she
nearly screamed aloud.
Suddenly a 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
really dragging Jemima along. The
foe was approaching, the couple could
hear his footsteps in the leaves, for
they had wandered from the path.
Josh, can't go any further; we
must tree it," said Jemima. as she
paused for breath.
''By gosh, we must. Here is a tree
with limbs nigh hanging on the
ground. Climb it, Jemima Here /
go. Gods If the animal climbs the
tree, what then ?'' and with bound
the terrified Josh climbed up the tree,
leaving Jemima to follow him or he
devoured by the terrible pursuer few
feet in their wake.
But Jemima was an old climber, and
was soon beside Josh, who sat perched
on one of the highest branches of the
tree.
"Listen Jemima, here the horrible
thing gnawing at the tree. It's
wolves, surer'n shootin. They will
gnaw the tree down in half an hour"
81 fear so, Joshua"
"But hold, Jemima, I've got a pis-
tolv' said our hero, thinking for the
first time that night of his weapon,
pointed it down through the branches
were their pursuer was paving among
the leaves, and fired. 1t was a destruc-
tive shot, and Josh went springing
through the air like creased lightning.
He had loaded his pistol so heavily
that it kicked him from his perch into
the jaws of the animal below. But
fortunately he alighted on his feet, and
in an instant he was again In the tree,
hatless, his red locks catching in the
branches, which cruelty tore them from
his head.
81 was a burned fool, Jemima, to
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
crarium, and withdrew it, wet with
gore.
"That is my blood shed for you, Jemi-
ma, and am willing to shed more,
dogoned if | amt"
"Can 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 gnawing at something else be-
side the tree till daylight, we would be
safe"
"May be they are like bears, Joshua;
they will eat anything you throw at
them"
"Well, I'lI try them so first here
goes my boots" and taking off his
fine boots, Josh groped his way out on
a limb.
Farewell, dear boots, bran new
ones, cost eight dollars this blessed
morning. Farewell, l sacrifice you to
Jemima," and the splendid boots were
soon gone,
For while the animal ceased gnaw-
ing the tree, and gnawed the boots,
Josh cursing inwardly the while. AT
last the gnawing recommended