Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-04-03
the beasts" He reflected for few mo-
| I'll

him."
He dressed himself and reused Made.
lien.
"Ges ready, little one" he said " il wa.
our uncle We saw yesterday, and we must
20 and find him, or We shall be sold. AL
no questions, but hurry. We must 20 to
night aud find Uncle Strollern."
Madclion, cow wide awake, obcyed
quickly and silently. Fritz softly opened
tho window. In some places the snow had
not left the ground, but, lying in hollows
it made beautiful pictures. rho descent
was not difficult the children had often
gone that way before, and presently they
were on the highway where Fritz explain.
ed matters tho best he could to poor
frightened little Madelien.
II am not very much afraid with you,''
said the child; "but foster-mother said
there were wolves in tho wood"
"Maybo sho told US that to frighten u.s."
responded Fritz, quaking little. At that
moment the girl gave loud cry OF
Wolff" but it proved to be sha ggy
Patch running after them, yelping and
wagging his tail.
Swiftly the children moved on. How
much longer would the sweet moonlight
last? And they dreaded tho woods,
though they were not wide. Presently
they were in the well.trodden path that
led to tho town beyond. Madelien trem-
bled.
"Don't be frightened;'' said Fritz, look.
ing warily about rs they ran.
"Oh, but Fritz, l hear bowling, and
Patch hears it too. 1t is tho wolves"
Fritx was silent, for the hoarse low
baying was distinctly audible. The chill
dren quickencd their pace.
"Faster;" whispered Fritz II think
they are coming" Alas! poor babes in
the wood; it was not long before the hun
cry beasts we're on their trail. Patch was
4 coward; he ran sneakingly along,
bowling most unmusically.
"Go with Madelien," said Fritz,pushing
tho dog in front. Middleton. hurry as
much Is you can; have something will
friyhten the wolves, / am sure. They
are afraid Of FIRE; do you remember the
phosphorus bought Of the peddler with
all my money? lam certain it will save
us-only you must fly"
| IL must save Madelien," he muttcrcd,
US the child, accustomed to obey, ran on,
and he took the tin box in which he kept
his treasure from his pocket. Presently
he was sight to behold; his hands, face
and clothes were covered with the ftful
fame, and turning, the brave boy ran
swiftly towards the wolves, who had been
gaining on him. A sight Of the fearful
apparitlon, the miserable beasts turned
bowling, and then Fritz took to his heels.
A dozen times was this scene repeated,
until Fritz gave great shout. Madelien
was out Of the wood. He had saved her.
That morning, in the large tavern at
the entrance Of the town, two travellers
sat at breakfast, lady and gentleman.
The latter was talking Of bis yesterdays
ride.
IL am sorry did not stop and speak to
the children they were very like my poor
brothers little orphans, even to their dress.
1t is most extraordinary; believe l will
go over there to-day"
" But thought your brothers family
all died Of the plague" said his wife, as
she slipped her coffee.
Il heard So, but one can't always get
the exact truth ut such times. That little
fellow was the image Of Fritz, only grown
more-and then, tho dress, the dress! J"
"Carious;;' said the lady, thong htfaIly !;
IF the children arc SO very beautiful as
you say, should have adopted them had
they lived.'
"Slr," said servant, entering at that
moment, "tbere are two children below
who ask to see YOU"
"Two children!" echoed the strangers.
"And here they are, sir; they would
come up stairs"
In ran Madelien, quite recovered from
her fright; Fritz followed more slowly.
Fritz says you are our uncle, sir, she
said, lifting her lovely blue eyes to his
face.
eyes, SIR" said Fritz, tiny name is
Strollern, my fathers name was Peter. my
good uncle's Norman. Father and moth
er died Of the plague Margery aud John
were neighbors. and they took care Of us ;
but when they brought US over here they
had Lard time. suppose, ard 60 they
were going to sell US to the man who owns
the circus but We ran away in the night,
aud the wolves chased US, and-and''-
just then the room began to spin round,
and poor little Fritz fell into his nale's
arms he had tainted.
Well, Of course, dears, you see that no
had found IN uncle, and very kind one.
The two children won everybody's hearts,
and then their story was 80 romantic
Madame Strollern declared that they
should be Us dear to her..as her own, and
only the next night they went to see the
wonderful performances ut the menagerie
only instead of being little. slaves to the
ring, they sat among the spectators in
holiday clothes, with nothing to mar their
pleasure {
"Oh,grandma and you say thatlis truc,''
said Herbert, when the little story was
finished.
Il should think it was; don't you know
your grandmother's maiden name 81
"Strollerb;" shouted the children
"grandma, you wore Madelien, and we
never thought Of poor great uncle Fritz
he has been dead SO long. Isn't it splen-
did?"
"1ps true, children, said grandmoth.
or Hall, with smile.
"And what became of Margery and
JOIN. ?"
II never knew, dears; We never saw
them again."
Fountains Of Decentralization.
The demoralizing influences of impure
literatare and of the outpouring fren.
zies of the disciples of the French
school of destructive social doctrinair-