The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1872-10-24
HOW rcAnaz "a. GET MARRIED.
An Ola P.snssr's stery.


wolves in Canada woods, recalls sim
liar experience once had in Ohio"
said the old pioneer, as he shook with
suppressed emotion, but whether of a
sad or pleasant nature could not be as
certained in the dim light of the fire.
place.
LET us hear your yarn, we sugges-
ted, with reportorial eye to an item
for consideration in dull season.
30, it amt any yarn, assure you,"
said the old man, as he chuckled aud
grinned, until u glacial movement of
tobacco juice started from each corner
of his mouth and pushed its way down
the wrinkles that lead to his stubble-
covered chin below. .sShut the door
thcre-so that mother can't hear what
is going on, and I will tell you how /
came TO get married.
We complied with his request, and
after storing away fresh supply of
the weed shat cheers but don't incbri-
ate" he drew his chair close to US and
commenced:
st was in the year 1850 that came
to Cleveland, and became employed in
a hardware store on Superior street. l
had spent all my previous life on a
farm, and had become tired of tramp
ing around over the pastures, fodder
ing sheep and cattle in the winter, and
working still harder in the summer. l
won't say anything about the difficult
ties | experienced in getting employ
ment upon my arrival in the city, nor
how tried every place in the town
before could find a boarding place
that suited me, until 1 became acquain-
ted with widow lady who kept few
boarders on what is now known as
Euclid avenue.
MY landlady was accomplished,an
had evidently seen better days, but the
death Of her husband left her in redu-
ced circumstances. She had two
daughters, both lively, intelligent. and
possessed Of graces that only come
from association with the better class
of society. They were of extremely
gay, disposition, and was hopelessly
In love with Fanny the eldest, aud /
thought at times her manner toward me
was tender and encouraging. She
carefully avoided giving me an oppor-
tunity to be alone with her long enough
to declare my passion.
"The winter had nearly passed with
out finding me any farther advanced
in my suit, until one night in February,
after = heavy fall ofsnow, asked Fam
ny to take sleigh-ridc with me, to
which she consented. and after tea l
procured as high stepping pair OF
horses as could be found in the city.
drove to the house Of myaffinity, aud
in few minutes we were whiriing
away cut on the Cleveland and Medina
.tAgnpike. had takeustiRt road partly
becAsiso II led towards my old homo,
and also to its being less travelled at
night than the other thoronghfares
leading from the city, aud we were not
likely to be interrupted in our ride or
conversation. The night was just cool
enough to make it necessary to place
my arm around my companion. the
horses were frisky, and the moon shonc
with that peculiar light which is pre-
ferred by lovers to all others, unless il
be that of a parlor lamp turned down
so low that as an illuminator ii is near
ly useless.
Through Brooklyn township we
whirled out into the country, where the
lights from the farm-houses became
more scattered, and the baying o! q
Watchdog was the only sound heard.
Fanny, who had previously sung,
laughed and chatted merrily on our
ride, now became quiet. AS we came
to a rise in the road that disclosed
level strip two or three miles in length
before us, said to myself, Before we
have travelled the road now in view, |
will settle my fate, and go home hap
pier or more miserable man.
Hardly had came to this cOnclu-
sion before l heard a peculiar rushing
sound behind us, and looking around
could see flock of sheep coming at
full speed toward us, and behind them
were two or three dogs, which ac-
counted for the fright of the sheep,
which would doubtless run for miles
without stopping, and cause their own
er much trouble In hunting them up.
But bright thought came to me.
Fanny was city girl aud bad never
seen sheep save in the shape
of outlets or roasts ut her moth
er's table. Iwonld ldiHdulge in strate-
gy of the kind that is considered fair
in love or war. Lowering my voice
10 the note OF the stage Jibbennaino-
say, where he speaks of the death of
his parents. wife and friends, said /:
"Fanny my girl, are You bravc--can
you bear terrible news!' Why Hen
ry, what is, the matter, what makes
you look so pale?" Assuming more
tragic voice, | replied, "Be firm dear
est, rely OH me-; we are followed by
wolves; look behind and you can see
the monsters, who are already thirsting
| for our Blood
She gave hurried glance backward
and heard the rushing sound OF many
feet, the deep breathing, which when
heard in the forest of the north, caus.
es the widest dismay and then draw
ing near to me she said:'sI did not
know there were any wolves so neal
the city, Henry Neither did think
there were any," replied; '.but |,
/ seems that we arc mistaken, for these
behind MS are of the grey species, and
most dangerous of any to meet. Driv-
en- by hunger they have approached
the settlements. and unless our horses
can carry us to the stone tavern in
Parma, before we are oyertaken, we
| are lost.
At this juncture the old curly horn
| ed leader gave vent to prolonged
bleat, which was fearful enough TO
brighten girl less timid than Fanny.
l sawed on the horses bits and flour
ished the whip frantically around
them. until they were excited and APP
parently doing their best To escape the
! fate behind them. but l was secretly
holding them back to allow the wolves
(?) to get closer. On came the bloody
horde, painting for breath, nearer and
nearer, until ] began to throw out
robes and blankets. ..These will keep
them back few minutes, l said and VIC
may escape" But the sheep had nc
appetite. for the robes aud were close
behind hs.
arose in the sleigh, gave the reins
to Fanny, saying "drive for your life
l will sacrifice myself for YOU" and
made movement as il to Jump out Of
the sleigh. 'Never, ncver." sht
screamed. "We will die together,
and she pulled me down beside her, Il
await her fate. While thus employed
had succeeded in obtaining hast,
avowal of Fanny. at the same time
was holding the horses back 10 let thu
pursuers go by. They came; tn,
monsters separated and passed OF
either side. while held my hat owe
her face that she might not see tn
dreadful deception had played upol
her.
She tainted the moment we wer,