Smyrna times., 1872-03-20
Exciting Wedding Trim.

T was the napplest man in the world-for baC
not that evening clasped hands with th[
sweetest bride that ever wore orange blossomO
ana heard the holy mans blessings on OH,
vi course had
les, LES, twas my. wedding night, and oft, while
receiving the noisy congratulations of ralot;uaS
ana friends, my eyes had sought her heloveJ
FEATURES with pride Gnd affection, and INV
r nediC nau swollen with joy and gladness at the
lea1ization OF my fOndest hopes and dreams
But the hour of our departure drew nipb
anu all else was forgotten in my impatince 70
TAKE my darling to our home Amid the cries
OF cheer and God speed placed my bride and
ner mother In sleigh, and, gathering the
% IJIns over tne packs OF my noble span of horses.
VINO, seemingly feeling the Joy and imnatienca
OF the moment, sprang like lightning to the
highway. ~ 'ne
we mad ride of twenty miles before us :.
put the AR was keen and bracng, the snow
hard and well ll-beaten. Away we sned and
trees, rocks and snow-drifts fed RAPIDLY to onr
rear, While the tinkling of the bells chimed a
merry accompaniment to our happy thoughts
we we were too full to Speak-at least | was
!" nat words could paint the ecstacies of a
lover husband? -
.rpy Fully 0ne-half Of our journey was accom-
pllshed when We reached the forest of Tobpr.
keh' through which nearly the balance of it Law
AS we dashed into it and became enfolded in
It's gloomy shades, an involuntary shiver came
over me; but though the darkness grew each
moment more dense, kiss, snatched from the
lips OF my bride, reassured me.
we had traversed a considerable portion of
the forest when low, moaning murmur came
walllng through the trees that sent chill to
my neart and well nigh stopped its beating. [
had neard that sound twice before while in The
nOrIl, and knew f0O Wail itS II
llghtening the reins, struck my gallant steeds
win all my strength, and accompanied the
DloW with cry that sent them on the road
with .redouhled speed.
why, Ivan you are cruel" met nv ear.
while at the same time the horrible sound grew
louder, nearer Great God She little dreamed
OF the cruel necessity which prompted again
the lash to be applied to the now excited steeds
for they, tOO had heard and recognized the
warning. On on we few-yes few when
again, behind us-louder, nearer, yet-came
the dreadful sound. | was on my feet. now.
straInlng every nerve to keep my horses to the
work.
What is it, darling? ?"
Nothing! pet
Appalingy near came the deep baying of
the monsters, to give me the lie.
Ivan, are they wolves p
~, She had named the dreadful danger Yes
v.
even now upon us. My fathers houSe-our
destinatlon-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
living hends, and in a moment more countless
balls OF fire cleaned around us. With a low
cry ol terror my bride sank to the bottom of
the sleigh, and covered her eyes to shut out
the horrid sight
NV ptStolc-o 81 II
they sweep. Another moment only is
gained. With a curse flung the empty tubes
growl
MY God and must we die?"
shrlli note OF terror from the horses told
me 1t would soon be over
Terrible despair A thousand thoughts
cross my bewildered brain. My bride, my
home, parents, appiness-life-my mother
inlaw
Hal my mother. in-law! Like lightning
flashed through my mind the question-of
what earthly use Is a mOther-in-law to a young
couple! and, like an inspiration flashed the
answer, Clearly none at all" And then, in a
twlnklIng OF an eye, she was struggling with
the angry pack, and nobly she contested with
the hungry brutes. We neared our home. A
moment is a life. But, alas too soon our
salnted mother-in-law is following us-in piece
meal. Almost there Five minutes, and we
are safe: But on like avenging demons come
they. The horses stagger and reel. Again
around us leap the brutes, maddened by the
taste of blood
fling myself to the bottom of the Sleigh
and pair OF arms are around my neck, and
warm kisses fall On my cheek.
I'VE will die together, darling"
"Ah! ah What for? No! mol" Inspi-
ration again
And over the back of the sleigh [ bundled
my darling bride, and, kissing my hand to her.
fell back unconscious.
| awoke in the arms of my anxious mother
and, to agOnizing inquiries after my bride,
"Chawed by the wolves, mamma, dear /"