The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-06-15
Mtsreuanr.
A RACE FOR LIFE.
ATrue Story Of the Maine Woods.

shores OF Stevens river, "a stream emptylns
into Casco bay,) a man named Peter Joliff
An honest, upright fellow, good neigh6oi
and friend, but with an abominable habit that
won him many enemies and caused him much
discomfort and even suffering to those around
him. This fault was an almost irresistible
fondness for practical joking that would not
allow him to let an opportunity pass unim-
proved, wherein he could crafty the special
passion of his being.
There came a time. however, when the eX
perience of his popularity brought upon HIM
an ordeal so sharp that it cured his unfOrtu-
nate propensity, to the great JOY OF his family
and friends. The process was disagreeable,
but the cure was effectual ard permanent
One day Peter had been at work few miles
from home. After his days labor was finished
his employer invited HIM to partake of an
accepted, and then, bis system fortified by a
heavy supper, he commenced his journey
hOmeward.
The path which Peter trod that night would
lead one to-day through cultivated fields and
by many pleasant homes, but then an unbrok-
en- forest.
1t was dark, cold December night, the
wind swept itfuly among the great pines and
bling through the forest; now and again an owl
uttered its hoarse cry, or the sudden rattling
Of the dead leaves told when some timid anil
NAL scurried away from his footsteps.
But Peter was strong and stout-hearted, and
trudged quietly along, without paying much
attention to the sights and sounds around
him, until he had achieved perhaps onc-half
of his journey, when suddenly his ears caught
the sound of horses feet descending the long
rocky path behind HIM. Gradually the sounds
drew nearer, until the sharp. peculiar voice OF
the horseman could be heard urging the beast
to faster gait.
"Ah, all" said Peter to himself, as he heard
the familiar tones, ''that is Uncle Tom Barry
Now, Uncle Tom and Peter were neighbors
that Is to say, their clearngs lay about mile
apart and none knew better than Peter that
the old man was naturally OF timid DISPOSE.
ton; and furthermore that nothing inspired
him with greater tear-nothng which he
would not rather meet, than wolf. No soon
er, however had Peter become convinced that
the horseman behind HIM was his neighbor
than he resolved to use this trait OF Uncle
TOMS as the means of working ont what he
considered a capital joke. His plans were
soon LAID, and he proceeded to put them into
execution. Creeping through the under
Growth which bordered his notb he crouched
down and patiently awaited the opproach of
his victim Uo had not waited lonn before
Uncle Tom, his horse at a sharp trot and him.
self cast,nr t,mid rlances around arrived on.
nosite his nlace Of concealment Peter allowed
Inn TO mass a few naces and then Swinging
forward ON his hards and knees he uttered
one or two snor)inr veins. instantly followed
by the loud. clear catherine crv of the wolves
The effect upon Uncle Tom was electrical!
Sprnoinp hslf wav ont Of his saddle he ut
tered y scream of terror and then stooplpp
until his head nearly touched the name. he
plunged his spur into his horses TANKS, and
was off down the road like n shot As for
peter he ro,Ied over an h;s hack and kicked
his heels in buqe enjoyment of his success.
Loud and lono he lauohed occasionally vary.
mo thc nerfnrmonces nv maxine the forest
rino with renetition If the wild SAVAGE crv
that had carried such terror into Uncle Toms
timid heart
But there is an end to al! things, and so.
after a while, there was an end to Peters
mirth. and he. wipinr his ewes. vegained the
path and was about to resume his Journey.
when he heard n sound that sent cold shiyers
coursius over his BODY. and almost froze the
blood in his veins. The wolves had heard his
successful imitation and were coming down
fnll CRY mon him
In an instant he realized his position and
peril. From the sounds he knew that the
wolves were coming down on either side of
the path he had lust Travelled. and therefore.
the nearest point of safety was his own clear
ING, more than mile away,
All this passed through his mind like a
flash, and then calling all his energies into
less sn.ed and terror thon had rncle Tow
~ ~ " So A'"A