The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1875-11-11


The osd haniers. They knew The differ.
enoe In ths iootprlnls s--lbAi dog leaves
the impression Of bis nails, aud a well
does not--far too well TO be decclsed
Stili they hooked upon IL ~ strange that
no other signs Of them bad been found,
aud settled down into the belief that il
must have been some solitary aniasl DIR
ven TO desperation by hunger
But when second aud even third
Que fell 10 the same mysterious manner,
people could not but talk aud wonder
why others had not been molested, being
equally exposed. There was something
mysterious, too, in the coming aud dis.
appearing OF the savage bru,es. Upon the
spot where the man had been strangled
to death their footprints could be found;
but neither their coming from nor going
thither. sull there must be den At no
great distance aud, As they bad once
tasted blood, no human being woald be
safe, and they must be exterminated.
To that end, large party of armed
men started, and we're gone several days
without any particular success, althodgh
they had for guide the best Indian hum
ter Ia the country, But even his skill
was at fault. A few wolves were killed,
bat none of them could have been the
ones that loved to lap human blood. The
feet were not half the size Of the tracks
found by the dead. That one must be
monster. But they were forced TO give
up the search: and like all other things
10 which no one had any special interest,
The matter soon dropped.
Yet there was one man who never for.
got II even for single instant who list
ened for the bowling of the wolves In the
day time and dreamed OF II by night--to
whom the bare mention of pack having
been seen caused a shudder. That was
Henry Slocum--the sole survivor Of the
family.
When the last OF his brothers had been
found dead, maugled, bloody, aud with
tho same marks of great teeth in his
throat as the others, his heart grew faint.
Did he fear the same sudden and terrible
taking of? Did guilty conscience
warn him of just doom? Men wbis-
pered that such was the case when be de-
serted the farm, came TO the village, wac
never seen beyond its limits, never out al
night.
But there could not be any doubt OF
his safety there, for wolves do not enter
settlements and force their way into
houses. The most crafty of the race
could not have done so without having
been seen and shot long before II reached
the tavern where Henry Socum boarded.
Still be escaped until the spring opened
again, and the trees began to bud, aud
flowers to blossom. Then week OF
more than usual debauch drained him OF
bis last dollar. He determined to leave
that part OF the country, and try his for
tunes elsewhere. The wolves had re-
treated beyond human searching. None
bad been seen or heard of in a long
time. Yet he was very cautious aboul
departing-gave out that il would be for
some days; and when the village was
locked In slumber, crept out of doors
and stole like thief through the de-
serted streets.
Yet something caused him to pause and
leap over the fence of the little garden oc-
cupied by George Foster and his young
and beautiful wife. lie glanced around
to see that no one was watching; and,
having gained the further corner of the
garden, began digging In the earth
tered upon some silver; = watch and
jewelry.
Here were ample means, (when turned
into money! 10 begin lille iu another To-
cality; aud with smile resting on his
haggard face for the FIRST time iu year,
he turned around, uttered a groan Of
fear, aud reeled against the fence Tor sup
! port.
Before him stood George Foster, hold
ing sn immense wolf, that was swapping
his jaws and straining for freedom
strainiBg TO glut its Unsuitable appetite
for human blood.
We have met al last, said the almost
ghost Of the once happy husband met rs
We should upon this very spot OF all 9th
ers upon the earth. need not tell you
why have followed you so long-wby
your fathers and brothers met the same
fate as will be yours. The words OF my
dead wife are burned upon my brain, AZ
the devilish wrongs you committed must
be upon your black heart.
! For Gods sake mercy. was all the
cowed man could gasp.
Mercy Did you listen TO ber when she
pleaded for II, for life and honor--listeu
TO her horrible suffering to her agonized
prayersS But dare not think OF them
have not dared, for fear Of becoming mad
before my work was done. AS you gave
| no mercy none shall You have!
With these words the wolf was loos'
ened and dashed madly at his prey, iD'
staniIy pulled him down, throttled him
aud buried bis sharp teeth into biz throat
Long aud well had be been trained tC
play his part by one skiIlful ia sucl
things. Bot il was bis last baille, as j
was his last victim. Even as !, sprsns
forward, starved TO The very intensity o
! hunger, the despairing wretch drew |
pistol and fired. The bal was INTENDED
for the heart of Foster; bat the form 0