Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-03-09
A Serf's Love.

SOME years ago. a Russian nobleman was
travelling on special business, in the inte
rior of Russia. 1t was the beginning of
winter, but the frost had set in early. His
carriage rolled up to an inn, and he de-
mandcd relay of horses to carry him on
to the next station, where he intended to
spend the night. The inn-keeper entreat-
ed 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, and his wife
and his only daughter inside the carriage
with him. On the box ofthe carriage was
a serf, who had been born on the noble
mans estate to whom he was much at
tached, and who loved his master as he
loved his own life. They rolled over the
hardened snow, and there seemed no sign
of danger. The moon shed her pale light,
and brought out into FURNISHED silver the
road ON which they were going. Atlength
the little girl said to her father:
"What was that strange, bowling sound
that just heard?'
"Oh, nothing but the wind signing
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, l think"
The father listened; and far, far away
in the distance behind him, through the
clear, cold, frosty air, he heard noise
which he knew too well the meaning of.
He then put down the window, and spoke
to his servant: "The wolves, l fear, are
after us /; make haste. Tell the man to
drive faster, and get your pistols ready"
VI. n IQ,,ffh fho
mournful sound which the child had
heard, approached nearer and nearer. 1t
was quite clear that pack of wolves had
scented them out. The nobleman tried
to calm the anxious fears of his wife and
child. At last the baying of the pack
was distinctly 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 de-
vouring them we shall get on"
AS soon as he put down the window ne
saw the pack in full cry behind, the large
dog wolf at their head. Two shots were
fired and two of the wolves fell. The 9th
ers instantly 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
| Wy "leh euO No'h IieSS o5oiAi. y" =
two shots were fired, and two fell and
were devoured. Butthe carriage was speedil.
overtaken and the post-house was yet far dis
tant. The nobleman then ordered the postil
lion to loose one of his leaders, that they
might gain little time. This was done,
and the poor horse plunged frantically into
the forest, and the wolves after him, and
was soon torn to pieces. Then another
horse was sent off, and shared the same
| fate. The carriage labored on as fast as it
could with the two remaining horses; but
the post-house was still distant. At length
the servant said to the master: " l have
served you ever since I was a child; I love
you as well as my own self. Nothing now
can save you but one thing. Let me save
you. I ask you only to look after my
wife and little ones" The nobleman re-
monstrated, but in vain. When the wolves
next came up the faithful servant threw
himself against 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 fatal attack. But the travel
ers 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 only were there.
And on the spot the nobleman erected a
wooden pillar, on which is written
"Greater love hath no man than this, that
man lay down his life for his friend.
"But God commendeth his love toward
US, in that, while we were yet sinners
Christ died for u.s."