Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-10-11
HOW I CAME TO GET MARRIED.
An Ola Pioneers story.

pleasant nature could not be ascer
tanned in the dina light Of the fireplace
Let us hear your yarn, we sug-
gested, with reportorial eye topn item
for consideration in a dull season.
90, it amt any yarn, assure you,
said the old man, as he chuckled and
grinned, until glacial movement Of
tobacco juice started from each corner
Of his mouth and pushed its way down
the. wrinkles that led to his stubble.
covered chin below. Shut the door
there-so that mother can't hear what is
going on, and will tell you how came
to get married.
We complied with his request, and
after storing away fresh supply of the
weed that cheers, but don't inebriate,"
he drew his chair close to us and com
menced:
" 1t was in the year 1850 that / came
TO Cleveland, and became employed in
hardware store on Superior street. |
had spent all my previous life on a farm,
around over the pastures, foddering
sheep and cattle in the winter, and
working still harder IN the summer.
won't say anything about the difficulties
| experienced in getting employment
upon my arrival in the city, nor how /
tried every place in the town before |
could find boarding house that suited
me. until | became acquainted with a
widow lady who kept few boarders on
what is now known as Euclid avenue.
Ny landlady was accomplished, and
had evidently seen better days, but the
death of her husband left her in reduced
circumstances. She had two daughters
both lively, intelligent, and possessed of
graces that only come from association
with the better class of society They
were of extremely gay disposition, and
| had not been in the house month be-
fore / was hopelessly in love with
Fanny, the eldest, and thought at times
her manner toward me was tender and
encouraging. She carefully avoided Civ
4 ing me an opportunity to be alone with
her long enough to declare my passion.
The winter had nearly passed with
out finding me any further advanced in
my suit, until one night in February,
after heavy fall of snow, asked Fanny
to take sleigh ride with me, to which
she consented, and after tea procured
as high-stepping a pair of horses as could
be found in the city, drove up to the
house OF my affinity, and in a few min
utes we were whirling away on the Cleve-
land and Medina turnpike. had taken
that road partly because it led towards
my old home, and also owing to its being
less travelled at night than the other
thoroughfares leading from the city, and
we were not likely to be interrupted in
our ride or conversation. The night was
just cool enough to make it necessary to
place my arm around my companion,
the horses we're frisky, and the moon
shone with that peculiar light which is
preferred by lovers to all others, unless
it be that of parlor lamp turned down
so low that as an illuminator it is nearly
useless. ~
Through Brooklyn township we
whirled, out into the country, where the
lights from the farm-houses became more
scattered, and the baying of watchdog
was the only sound heard Fanny, who
had previously sung, laughed and
chatted merrily on our ride, now became
quiet. As we came to a rise in the road
that disclosed level strip two or three
miles in length before us, said to my
self, Before we have Travelled the road
now in view, will settle my fate and 60
home happier or more miserable man.
Hardly had | come to this conclusion
before / heard 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 fright
of the sheep, which would doubtless run
for miles before stopping, and cause their
owner much trouble in hunting them up.
But bright thought came to me. Fanny
was city girl, and had never seen a
sheep save in the shape Of outlets or
roast at her mothers table | would
indulge in strategy of the kind which
is considered fair in love or war Low
ering my voice to the note Of the stage
Jibbennainosay, where he speaks of the
death of his parents, wife and friends, /
said, Fanny, my girl, are you brave
can you bear terrible news2' Why,
Henry, what is the matter? What makes
you look so pale2' Assuming a more
tragic voice, l replied, Be firm, dearest;
rely on me- we are followed by wolves.
Look behind you and you can see the
monsters, who are already thirsting for
our blood. fEnnr
"She gave hurried glance back
ward heard the rushing sound Of many
feet, the deep breathing which, when
heard in the forests of the north, causes
the widest dismay; then drawing nearer
to me said, | did not know there were
any wolves so near the city, Henry.
Neither did think there were any,
replied; but it seems we were mistaken,
for these behind us are of the gray spe-
cies, and most dangerous of any to meet.
Driven by hunger, they have approached |
the settlements, and unless our horses |
can 90 to the Stone tavern in Parma
before we are overtaken, we are lost.
AT this juneture the old curly-horned |
leader, tired and out of wind from the |
long run, gave vent to the prolonged |
bleat which was fearful enough TO scare |
a girl less timid than Fanny. / sawed |
on the horses bits, nourished my whip |
frantically around them, until they were |
excited and apparently doing their best |
to escape the fate behind them, but |
was secretly holding them back to allow
the wolves (D to get closer. On came
the bloody horde, painting for breath,
nearer and nearer, until began to
throw out robes and blankets. These
will keep them chewing a few minutes,
/ 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
Twill sacrifice myself for yon, and made
a movement as if to jump out Of the
sleigh Never, neverp she screamed;
we will die together, and she pulled me
down beside her, to await her fate.
While thus employed, / succeeded in
obtaining a hasty avowal Of Fanny, at