Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-02-15
NM: THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 15 1872 NO l4

disclosed level strip two or three miles
in length before US, / said to myself
Before we have travelled the road now il
view, | will settle my fate, and 90 home
happier or more miserable man."
Hardly had | come to this conclusion
before / 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 accounted for the
the fright Of the sheep, who would doubt
less run for several miles before stop
ping, and give their owner much trouble
in hunting them up the next day. But
a brighter thought came to me. Fanny
was city girl, and had never seen a
sheep save in the shape of outlets or
reast at her mothers table. | would in
dulge in little strategy of the kind
which is considered fair in love or war.
Lowering my voice to the tone of the
stage Jibbenainosay where he speaks Of
the death of his parents, wife and
friends, said: Fanny, my girl, are
you brave-can you bear terrible newsH'
Why, Henry, what is the mstter-what
makes you so pale?" Assuming more
tragic voice, replied: Be firm, dear
est-rely on me. We are followed by
wolves Look behind you, and you can
see the monsters who are already thirst
ing for our blood"
She gave a hurried glance backward,
heard the running sound of many feet,
the deep breathing which, when heard in
the forests of the north, causes the Wild
est dismay; then drawing nearer to me,
said: " did not know there were wolves
so near the city, Henry2" Neither did
| think there were any" Ireplied, but it
seems we were mistaken, for these be-
hind us are Of the gray species, and the
most dangerous of any to meet. Driven
by hunger they have approached the set
Elements, and unless our horses can 90 to
the old Stone Tavern in Parma before
we are overtaken, we are lost"
At this juncture the old curly y-horned
leader, tired, and out of wind from the
long run, gave vent to q prolonged bleat
which was fearful enough to scare less
timid girl than Fanny. sawed on the
horses bits, Aourished my whip franti-
callv around them until they were ex-
cited and apparently doing their best to
escape the fate behind them, but l was
secretly holding them back, to allow the
wolves (2) to get closer. On came the
bloody horde, painting for breath, nearer
and nearer, until / began throwing out
the buffalo robes and blankets These
will keep them busy chewing few min
utes, / said, and we may escape" But
the sheep had no appetite for the robes,
and were close behind us.
| arose in the sleigh, gave the reins to
Fanny saying, Drive for your life-I
will sacrifice myself for you" and made
a movement as if to jump out of the
sleigh. Never neverl" she screamed,
we will die together" and she pulled
me down beside her to await our fate.
While thus employed / succeeded in OBJ
tanning hasty avowal of Fanny, at the
same time / was holding back the
horses so as to let our pursuers 20 by.
They came-the monsters separated and
passed US on either side, while / held my
hat over Fanny's face, that she might
not see the dreadful deception / had
played upon her.
She tainted the moment we were over
saken by the wolves, and without trying
10 revive her, turned the horses home
ward, and only stopped to pick up the
robes which had been thrown out to
check the ferocious animals. After dri-
wing mile or two my now afiianced
wife revived sufficiently to hear how we
we're saved by party of sleigh-riders
Who met us just as we were surrounded"
Though nervous and weak from the ex-
,itement, she recovered her buoyancy of
Ipirits before we arrived home, and had
promised to keep our adventure a Sc
,ret, as informed her the owner of
he horses would charge me fearful
price if he knew to what test his steeds
lad been put. And that is my adven-
ure with wolves, and how ! came to
marry.
" But did your wife never find out the
deception you practiced2' we asked of
he old settler, as he laughed again while
of his boyish pranks.
Not until about eight years ago" he
cplied, when | told her of it one even
ng when she was ironing" What did |
he sayH Not much-not vtTy much,
our old romancer, but remov-
ng his hat, he showed us triangular
pace upon his head, such as might |
ave been made by hot smoothing iron |
nd with not hair upon its surface.
We thought Fanny was revenged.