The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1872-02-23
An EXCITING WEDDING TOUR.
A Brave Mans Devotion to His Bride.

A Brave Mans Devotion 10 His Bride.
Twas lovely starlight night in
February. was the happIest man
in the world. for had not that eve
ming clasped hands with the sweet
est bride that ever wore orange
blossoms, and heard the holy mans
blessing on our blithe faith!
OF course l had.
Yes, twas my wedding night
and oft, while receiving the noisy
congratulations of relatives and
friends, my eyes had sought her
beloved features with pride and af-
fiction, and my heart had swollen
with joy and gladness at the realiza-
ton of my fondest hopes and
dreams.
But the hour fos our departure
drew nigh, and all else was forgot
ten in my impotence to take my |
darling to our home; and, amid the
cries of cheer and God-speed, !
placed my bride and her mother i'll |
the sleigh, and, gathering the reins
over the back of my noble span OF
horses, who, seemingly feeling the |
Joy and Impotence of the moment, |
spraDg like lightning to the high |
way.
We had a ride of twenty miles |
before us; but the air was Ike en- and |
bracing, the snow hard and well |
beaten, and a few hours would |
bring us home. Away we sped,
aud trees, rocks, and snow drifts |
fed rapidly to our rear, while the |
tinkIing of the bells chimed merry |
accompaniment to our happy |
thoughts. We were too full to
speak-at least was. What words |
could paint the estacies of Il lover |
husband?
Full one-half of our journey was
accomplished when we reached the
forest of Toherlen, through which
nearly the balance of it lay. AS
we dashed into it and became en-
folded in its gloomy shades, an in
voluntary shiver passed over me
but, though the darkness grew each
moment more dense, kiss snatch
ed from the lips of my bride reas-
sured me.
We had traversed q considerable
portion of the forest, when a low,
moaning murmur came wailing
through the trees, that sent a chill |
" my lASoi AAob WCiA hiSh otOPPON
its beating.
l had heard that sound twice be-
fore, while ia the North, and knew
too we'll it's fearful import. Tight
ening the reins, / struck my gallant |
steeds with all my strength, and ac-
companied the blow with cry that
sent them on the road with redoub-
led speed.
'Why, Ivan, you are cruel,' met |
my ear, while at the same time the |
horrible sound-louder, nearer.
Great God! She little dreamed |
of the cruel necessity which promo
ted again the lash applied to the |
now excited steeds, for they, too,
had heard and recognized the war
ming.
On, on we flew-yes, flew, when
again behind US, louder, nearer yet,
came the dreadful sound.
was on my feet now, straining |
every nerve to keep my horses to
the work.
"What is it, darling?"
Nothing, pet"
Apallingly near came the deep |
baying of the monsters, TO give me
the lie.
'Ivan, are they wolves? %
She had named the dreadful |
danger. Yes, the wolves had scent |
ed their prey, and were even now
upon us.
My fathers house, our destina-
ton, was just beyond the forest. |
Could we reach it? On, on we |
flew; and back of us, sweeping |
along like the dread waters of ocean,
came dense, dark, wave of liV-
ing fiends: and in a moment more /
countless balls of fire cleaned |
around us.
With a low cry of terror my
bride sunk to The bottom of the
sleigh, and covered her eyes to shut /
out the hOrrid sight.
My pistols-a shot-a short pause,
and on they sweep. Another-a
moment only gained. With curse
l flung the empty tubes at the near
est brute, to be answered by hell
ish growl.
"My God! and must we die!"
y shrill note of terror from the
horses told, me it would soon be
over.
Terrible despair! A thousand
thoughts cross my bewildered brain.
My bride, my home, parents, hap
piness, life-my mother-in-law
Hail. my mOther-in-law Like
lightning flashed through my mind
the question of what earthly use is
a mother-in-law to young couple !
and, like Inspiration flashed the an
swer, CLEARLY none at ALL" In a
twinkling of an eye she was strug-
Cling with the angry pack, and
nobly she contested with the hun
CRY brutes. We are near our home.
A moment is life. But, alas! too
soon our sainted mother-in-iaw is
following us--in piece-meal. AL
most therei Five minutes and we
are safe. But on, like avenging de-
mons come they. The horses stag
ger and reel. Again around us leap
the brutes, maddened by the taste of
blood.
fling myself to the bottom of the
sleigh, and a pair of arms are around
my neck, and warm kisses fall on
my check.
eve will die together, darling"
"Ah, ali! what for? No, no !"
Inspiration again!
And over the back of the sleigh / /
bundle my daring bride, and kiss
ing my hand to her, fell back I'M
conscious.
awoke in the arms of my anx-
iOus mother, and to agoniZed in
quiries after my bride, could only |
respond with a convulsive shudder : |
'Chawed by the wolves, mamma
dear"