The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-03-05
MI 1 8 @ g lIaneous.
Life or Death.
A TRUE STORY.

Even as short a period of time as forty
years ago, Minnesota wore very differ.
ent appearance from what it does now
Vast forests were to small extent disturb
ed by the hands of their enemy-man. On
ly few homes and cultivated tracts of
land showed the existence of the pale
faces in that cold and uIinviting cline
The summer of Minnesota is short; and
during the greater part of the year the
ground is covered with snow.
The native animals, such as panthers
bears and wolves, which are now scarcely
to be seen, were. at the period of my story,
numerous; and in the depths of winter
would become so tanned by hunger, as to
prowl about the barnyards and even dwell
ing houses, destroying the animals that
came within their reach.
The wolves of that country were of two
kinds; first, the prairie wolf which has his
haunts amid the tall prairie grass and UNI
derbrush. This little animal greatly re-
sembles the shepherd dog, and alone will
never attack an animal of equal strength.
Second, the common American wolfwhich
dwells among the rocks and caverns of the
forests. These wolves were much more fc-
rocious than the former species, and &C.
cordingly were more dreaded. Not infre-
quently would the benighted traveller find
himself surrounded by pack of them.
To this inhospitable country came
young traveler--JosephM Miller, from Penn
sylvania. This youth was even now an
experienced traveller. The commodities of
the railway car were not at that time at his
disposal. On foot he wendell his way
through the trackless woodlands of the
West; and drank in the beauties of that
wild country.
The winter of 1887 was remarkably long
and cold; the snow lay deep on the
ground from November till May; and per-
haps if our Maryland friends could have
procured it, there would not have been
demand for ice for q great while.
During this winter Joseph was safely
esconsed in the family home of Mr.. Nor
ton.
1t was bitter cold night, the twenty
third of January. The fire which roared
and cracked on the hearth, 'ever and anon
shooting upward its forked flames, seemed
to scorn the fury of the wind as it howled
and moaned around the doors, and ratified
and shook the old-fashioned easements
The family sat around well-worn pine ia
BILE, each engaged in his work, study or
play, while several candles sent forth a
cheering light Suddenly the sound of
sleigh-bells rose above the noise of the fire
and the wind.
wonder who it can be, to be out so
late in the day y exclaimed Mr.. Morton,
as he laid fresh pine knot on tine
fire.
My pity any one that is outdoors on
Il, Il ..x-l.A Al n
ering she drew nearer the fire.
We'll, guess we'll soon see, suggested
Joseph looking up from his book---'for the
sleigh has stopped before the door,
A moment more, and knock was heard
upon the door; hereupon Mrs. Morton
laying aside her knitting and smoothing
back few stray locks, opened and admit
ted gust of wind and-a young man.
Dear me, John Fulmudp exclaimed
Mr. Morton, you must have urging bust
ness on hand to be out on such night as
this. My, o my, the young gents nova
days are not half so careful of themselves
in this way as when was young Come
close to the hearth, 1 know you are
cold.'
Well, you see,' began John, l haze urg
ing business, and this is not such terri
BILE night; indeed if it weren't for the
wind, it would be just the night for ride.
joe said he, turning toward that individ-
ual, I'm in a hurry and should at this
time have been much farther on the way,
but l came past here to get you to go with
me, so ifyou appreciate my partially for
you, get on your wraps and come along, old
fellow
Glad to have the opportunity said Joe,
at the same time rising to go.
Have you your pistol alongi' asked
John as they were about to get into the
sleigh, for there are some Indians in these
parts that sometimes prove hostile
Yes returned the other, Il have gener-
ally carried firearms since ] have been
| here.'
The night was clear, and the silvery
moon was just peeping over the treetops,
and every now and then it would be part
ly obscured by feecy clouds, which floated
like great masses of snow through the air,
whilst myriads of stars twinkling far above
the earth lent their beauty to the scene !;
and the Aurora, which is there seen much