Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1871-12-30
An Exciting Wedding Tour.

twas lovely, oedhSue "S"
February. 1 was the happiest man In
the world, for 1 had not that evening
clasped hands with the sweetest bride
that ever wore orange blossom, and
heard the holy mans blessing on our
plighted faith (!
OF course had.
Yes twas my wedding night; and
oft, while receiving the noisy congIat-
ulations of relatives and friends, my
eyes had sought her beloved features
with pride and affection, aud my heart
had swollen with joy and gladness at
the realization of MY fondest hopes
and dreams.
But the hour of our departure drew
nigh, and all else was forgotten in my
impatience to take my darling to our
home; and, amid the cries of cheer
and God-speed, placed my bride and
her mother in the sleigh, and, gather
ing the reins over the backs of my To-
ble span of horses. who; seemingly
feeling the joy and impatience OF the
moment, sprang like lightning to the
highway.
We Had ride of twenty miles be
fore us; but the air was keen and bra
cling. the snow hard and well beaten,
and few hours would bring us home.
Away we sped, and trees, rocks, and
snow-drifts fed rapidly to our rear,
while the tinkling of the bells chimed
merry accompaniment to our happy
thoughts. We were too full to speak
AT least was. What words could
paint the ecstacies of lover-husband
Fully one-lialf Of our jorney was ac-
complished when we reached the forest
of Tcherken, through which nearly the
balance of it lay. AS we dashed into
it, and became infolded in its gloomy
shades, an involuntary shiver passed
over me; but though the darkness
GREW each moment more dense, a kiss,
snatched from the lips of my bride, re,
assured me.
We had traversrd considerable poi
ton of the forest, when a low moaning
murmur came wailing through the
trees that sent chill to my heart thai
well-nigh stopped its beating.
! l had heard that sound twice before
while in the north, and knew too well
its fearful, import. Tightening the
reins, l struck my gallant steeds with
all my strength, and accompanied the
blow with cry that sent them on the
road with redoubled speed.
"Why, Ivan! you are cruel," me
my ear, while at the same time came
the horrible sound-louder, nearer.
/ Great God! She little dreamed o
the cruel necessity which promptet
T again the lash applied to the now ex
cited steeGs: for they, too, had heart
and recognized the warming.
On, ON we few-yes, flew, whel
again behind US, louder, nearer yet
came the dreadful sound.
/ was on my feet now, strainini
every nerve to keep my horses to thei
work. @
"What is it, darlingp
| Nothing, pet.o
Appalling near came tine deep bay
ing of the monsters, to give me tn
, lie.
! "Ivan, are they wolves p
She had named the dreadful danger
: Yes, the wolves had scented thei
. prey. and were even now close upo
|, us, with low cry Of terror, by brid
, sunk to the bottom of the sleigI an
: covered her eyes to shut out the sigh
: My pistOls-a shot-a short pause
and on they sweep. Another--a M
3 ment only gained. With a curse,
E fired the empty tubes at the neares
t brute, to be answered by hellis
growl.
"My God and must we def
1 A shrill note of terror from the no
e ses told me it would soon be over.
Terrible despair! A thOusan
: : thoughts across my bewildered brail
t My bril-, iay hope panents' hapr
ness, life moiacr 'i-t0'es
d Hah! Bfy mothet.iullaw Lik
# lightning flashed through MS lind tt
l. question, Of vast earthly se is
l. mother-in aS O. youug ,ouDle : al
s like ins pra}n. iiaSaed &c answe