Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-02-28
Nv EJ'R.vTFUL SLEIGH 8y11

reporter gives the following story from
the lips of Cleveland man, that Is AZ ro.
mantle as Siberian sleigh rides:
1T was In the year 1850 that came TO
cleveland, and became employed in a
hardware store In Superior street. I tried
nearly every place In the town before I
could ma boarding place to suit me. AT
last found widow lady who kept few
boarders.
MY landlsdy was accomplished and
evidently had seen better davs. bnt ,bo
death Of her husband had left her in re-
uuceu circumstances. She had two daugl,-
ters, both lively and intelligent, and Dos
sessed with graces that only come from as
sociation with the better classes of society
ihey were of ofextremely gay disposition I
nau not been in the house month before
was hopelessly in love with FANNY. the
eidest, and l thought at times her manner
toward me was tender and encouraoing
She carefully avoided giving me an oppor-
tunity OF being alone with her long enonpb
to declare my passion.
The winter had nearly passe witbout
hndlng me any farther advanced in mv
SUIT until one night in February. after a
fali OF snow, I ask ed Fanny to take a sleigh
rae win me, to which she consented, and
"i'er tea procured as high stepping pair
VI horses as could be found In the CITY.
drove up to the house of my affinity. and
III a iew minutes we were whirllng out ON
the Cleveland and Medina turnpike.
mad taken that road partly because il led 10
| my old home, and also for its being less
uaVelled at night than the other thorough
'ares reading from the city, and we were
hot HkeIy TO be interrupted in our ride or
conversation. The night was lust cool
enough to make it necessary to place mv
arm around my companion. the borses
were frisky, and the moon shoue with that
peculiar light which is preferred by lovers
20 all others, unless ii be that of parlor
lamp turned down so low that as an illumi.
nator 1t is nearly useless.
Through Brooklyn township We wbirled
ont into the country, where the lights from
the farm houses became more scattered
and the baying of a Watchdog was the only
sound heard. Fanny, who had previously
sung, chatted, and laughed merrily on opr
rlde, now became quiet. As we came toa
rise IN the road that disclosed level strin
Oh TWO or three miles in length before us. 7
said to myself:
"Before we have travelled the road now
in view, will settle nv fate and 90 boD,o
happier or more miserable man."
hardly had l come to this conclusion
before heard peculiar rushing soand
oehind us, and looking around could see a
mock OF sheep coming at full speed toward
us, followed by two or three dogs. which
accounted for the fright of the sheen. which
would doubtless run miles before stoppinp.
anu cause their owners much trouble in
hunting thom up. But a bright thought
struck me. Fanny was a city girl and had
never seen sheep save in the shape of
cnops or roast at her mothers table.
would indulge in strategy of the kind
that is considered fair in loye or war
Lowering my voico to the uote OF the stage
Jibbenianosay, where he speaks of the
death of his parents, wife, and friends. l
salo' "fanny, my girl, are you brave-can
you bear terrible news?" "Why Henry,
what's the matter? What makes you look
so paleY' Assuming more tragic voice.
replied, "Be firm, dearest; rely on me;
we are followed By wolves. Look behind
and you can see the monsters, who are al
ready thirstng for our blood"
She gave hurried glance backward.
heard the rushing sound of so many feet.
the deep breathing which when heard in
the forests of the north causes the widest
dismay; then, drawing nearer to me, said,
1 did not know that there were wolves so
near the city, Henry Neither did think
thnra I
were mistaken, for those behind us are of
the gray species, and most dangerous of
any to meet. Driven by hunger they ap-
proach the settlements, and unless our
horses can go to the Stone tavern before we
are overtaken, we are lost
AT this juncture the curly-horned lead
er, tired and out of wind from the long
run, gave vent to prolonged bleat, which
was fearful enough to scare a girl less tim
Id than Fanny. l sawed on the horses
bits, hourished my whip around them un-
til they were excited and apparently doing
their best to escape the fate behind them.
hut secretly held them pack to let the flock
come up. On came the bloody back. pant
Ing for breath, nearer and nearer, until
began to throw out robes and blankets.
These will keep them chewing few min
utes, l said, 'aud we may escape But
the sheep had no appetite for robes, and
were close behind us.
81 rose in the sleigh, gave the reins 10
Fanny, saying, drive for your life-I will
sacrifice myself for you, and made move
as II to jump out Of the sleigh. 'Neverr
she screamed, we will die together and
she pulled me down beside her, to await
our fate. While thus employed, I sue
ceeded in obtaining hasty avowal OF love
from Fanny, at the same time l was hold
ing back the horses to let the pursuers go
by. They came: the monsters separated
aud passed US on either side, while l held
my hat over her face that she might not see
the awful deception had played upon her.
"She tainted the moment we were over
taken by the wolves, and without trying to
revive her l turned the horses homeward
and only stopped to pick up the robes
which had been thrown out TO check the fe-
rocious animals. After driving a mile or
two, my aflianced revived sufficiently TO
hear how we were saved by a party of
sleigh riders, who met as just as we were
surrounded. Though nervous and weak
from excitement, she recovered her buoy
ancy of spirit before we arrived home, and
had promised to keep our adventure a Sc
cret, as l informed her that the owner of
the horses would charge me fearful price
if he knew what a test his steeds had been
put to. And that's my adventure with
wolves, and how I came to marry.
"But did your wife never find out the de-
ception you practiced ?" we asked the old