The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1872-04-05

For the -AEgis If MtelEqen"er.
WELL DONE. BET !"
OR,
A Wolf Fight in ITO.

There is a wild, romantic ravine, that
cuts one of the high hills that skirt Broad
Creek on the south side, about two miles
west from the majestic Susquehanna. The
sides of this hollow are wild and pictur-
esquc. Huge primitive rocks are scattered
around in grand array; large forest trees
abound, while the ground is covered with
q thick growth of laurel. Down this deep
declivity q tiny stream dashes over the
wild rocks, making its way to the creek {;
now pitching over the huge boulders in
mimic cascades, and anon settling in still
transparent pools between the rocks. These
pools were once we'll stocked with the
speck led trout, but they are scarce now, for
the anglers have fshed the most of
them out. This clear, romantic little
stream is known by the name of 4" Well
done, Bet" Well now l intend to tell
you how this little stream obtained its
name.
Over q hundred years ago, when this
country was but sparsely settled, when the
most of the inhabitants lived in cabins, an
lrishman and his wife came and built them
selves a cabin near the above locality, and
cleared small lot to raise paraties in.
This place is still known as Jacks Lot"
This mans name was Jack O'Corner, and
his wife gloried in the name of Bet. Jack
was pompous, fussy little fellow, being
about four feet high, and would weigh
about ninety pounds. Our hero had q
high opinion of himself, and was ALWAYS
boasting ofhis proves and manly courage,
but unfortunately for him, whenever dan
ger appeared he showed the white feather.
Bet was very different. She was quite o
giantess, being over six feet in height, with
q powerful, muscular, well-knit frame.
She possessed both Amazonian strength
and courage. Bet had become great
adept in chopping wood, welding her
heavy axe with the deXterity of an expert
woodman. She used to 90 to her neigh
bors and chop wood for them, and thus OBJ
tain provisions for herself and Jack. Her
husband always went with her, and Will.
Bet worked, he would sit on stump OF
log and regale her with tales of his courage
and manhood. When the weather was cold
Jack would build fire to keep him warm
while Bet worked. At the close of the
days work, they would repair to Jacks
Lot, and lodge happily together in theil
humble cabin.
In the winter of ITO, Bet, accompanied
by the gallant Jack, left their peaceful home
one bright morning, and went to the north
side OF the creek to chop wood for one Of
their neighbors. The ground was covered
with snow, and their path lay along the
wild locality above described, until they
reached Broad Creek. After Bet had fin
ished her days work and she and Jack had
partaken of hearty supper, it being now
after night, they started for their humble
home, not dreaming of danger.
! Bet carried large piece of fresh beef
the reward of her labor, while the brave
Jack walked ahead and carried tho axe
They had crossed the creek and were as
cending the wild pass above spoken of
Jack boasting to Bet of his bravery anC
telling her that he would fight for her til
he died, when they were startled by thu
howl of wolf q. short distance ahead o.
them, which was answered by another some
distance in their rear. AS soon as they heard
the fearful noise, Jack howled and wept
exclaiming, "Och, murther, dear Bet, bu
these pisky divils will ate livery bone il
our bodies, an thin they will murther us
intirely Och, holy Virgin, that liver Jack
O'Conner and his illigant Bet should b,
food for the Divil's son."
Not so with the intrepid Bet. She wal
brave, calm and collected. She first order
ed Jack to climb a tree, which he gladly
did and was soon safe in its friendly branch
es. She now chose her ground and pre-
! pared to meet her deadly foe. The moon
was riding high in the heavens casting he
mellow beams on the wild scene, whict
gave our heroine chance how to see ant
act. Her eagle eye at once saw position
by the side of a perpendicular, shelving
rock, which would protect her rear ane
flank, and only leave the enemy the from
to fight in.
Throwing her meat behind her, ape
swearing "the pisky divils should nive
have her illigant bafe," she barred her Draw
ny arms, and taking her trusty axe sh
marked cross at her feet in the snow ant
braced herslf for the terrible conflict, ex
claiming, "Come on, we savage divils, an
sure you are welcome to the arm of BE
O'Conner."
She had not long to wait, for in anothe
instant the first wolf was upon her. H
came up yelping, swapping and roaming
i Dot he ia of