Weekly Trinity journal., 1872-06-08
A RACE FOR LIFE.
BY p. I.

One hundred years ago there lived upor
the shores of Stephens river, small
stream emptying into Casco bay, n mar
named Peter Joif An honest, upright
fellow, good neighbor and friend, bat
with one abominable habit, that won him
many enemies and caused much discom
fort and even suffering to those around
him. This fault was an almost irresistible
fondness for practical joking, that woulc
not allow him to let nm opportunity pas,
unimproved wherein he could crafty this
special passion of his being.
There came n time, however, when tn,
exercise Of this peculiarly brought upor
him an ordeal SO sharp that it cured hi
unfortunate propensity, to the great joy
of his family and friends. The process,
was dsagreeable, but the cure was Ell
tcctual and permanent.
One day Peter had been at work few
miles from his home. After his day,
labor was finished his employer invited
him to partake Of the evening meal with
him this invitation Peter accepted, and
then, his system fortified by hearty sup
per, he commenced his journey home
ward.
The path which Peter trod that night
would lead one to-day through cultivated
fields and by many pleasant inrnhouses,
bat then it was an unbroken forest
1t was II dark, cid December night,
the wind swept lltlully among the great
pines and bccches, strange mourniul
sounds went sobbing through the forest !;
now and thenan owl uttered its hoarse cry,
or the sudden ratting Of the dend leaves
told when sOme timid animals scurried
away from the sound of footsteps.
But Peter was strong and stout hearted,
and trudged quietly along, without pay
ing much attention to the sights and
sounds around him, until he had achieved
perhaps one-halfofhis journey, when sud
denly his ears caught the sound of horses
feet descending the long, rocky path be-
hind him. Gradually the sounds drew
nearer, until the sharp, peculiar voice OF
the horseman could be heard urging the
beast to faster gait.
"Ah all !" said Peter to himself, as
he heard the familiar tones, " that is un-
Gle Tom Barry"
Now uncle Tom and Peter were neigh.
bOrs, that is to say, their clearings lay
about mile apart, and none knew better
than Peter that the old man was natur-
ally of II timid disposition, and further
more, that nothing inspired him with
greater fear, nothing that he had not
rather meet than wolf.
No sooner, therefore, had Peter become
convinced that the horscman behind him
was his neghbor than he resolved to use
this trait Of uncle Toms as means o
working ont what he considered would
be most capital joke. His plans were
| soon laid, and he proceeded to put them
into execution. Creeping through the
underground which bordorcd hi, path, he
crouched down and patiently awaited the
approach Of his victim. He had not
waited long before uncle Tom, his horse
at a sharp trot and himself casting timid
glances around, arrived opposite his place
of concealment. Peter allowed him t.
pass few PAGES, and then springing for
ward on his hands aud knees he uttered
one or two snarling yelps, followed by
the loud, clear, gathering cry Of the
wolves.
The effect upon uncle Tom was electri-
cal. Springing half way out Of his sad
die, he uttered scream of terror, and
then, STOPPING until his head nearly
touched the name, he plunged his spurs
into the horses flanks, and was off down
the road like shot. As for Peter, he
rolled over on his back and kicked his
his heels in huge enjoyment of his sue
cess. Loud and long he laughed, occa-
sionally varying the performance by
making the forest ring with a repetition
of the wild savage cry that had struck
such terror into uncle Toms timid heart
But there is an end to all things, and so
after while, there was an end to Peter,
mirth, and he wiping HE eyes regained
the path, and was about to resume hi,
journey, when he heard sound that sent
the cold shiyers courslng over his body
and almost froze the blood in his veins.
The wolves had heard his successful i'm
itation of their music, and were coming
down, full cry, upon him.
In an instant he realized his position
and peril. From the sounds he knew
that the wolves were coming down on
either side of the path he had Just tray-
eed, and therefore the nearest point of
safety was his own clearing, more than a
mile away.
All this passed through his mind like a
fash, and then calling all his energies