The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-01-29

A TRUE STORY FOR BOYS.

nothing else on hand wherewith to busy
our attention, we were strolling about
one of the smaller towns in Germany, in
search of adventure or amusement, we
did not care which.
Our guide, or rather handy-fellow, as
the Germans say, was the keeper of the
inn-which, to tell the plain truth, was
not much larger than himself good
natrred, genial old man, and very fond
of relating stories. He had already dur
ing our two days stay in the place told a
number of these stories and we, his
listeners, had about arrived Mt the con-
clusion that he had wholly exhausted his
stock in trade. In this opinion, how
ever, we were quite mistaken, as you, the
reader, shall presently know.
We had come to the town hall and
were lettering in quest of n drink of
water, when Herr Gabel, or Mr.. Gabel,
if you choose, nudging my elbow, said :
"Do you see that man walking up the
street yonder
eyes"
Well-let us move on-shall tell
story about him"
"What, another story? And you have
already told us half dozen"
"You will like it"
$50 on, then"
"He is Russian, and for many years
lived in Livonia, a province which once
belonged to Poland. You will find it
laid down on recent map as the province
of Riga"
Never mind-tell lis the story"
"The mans name is Sholto, and I'll
repeat the story just as I've heard him
tell it to us hundred times"
NY friend shook out the ashes from
his long porcelain pipe, placed it away in
his pocket, and began very nearly as fol
lows:
One evening Sholto was returning from
market, whittier he went over distance
of twelve miles twice q week with his
horse and sledge. The road which led
| to his house was q long, winding one,
and on either side the snow lay fresh and
deep. The road itself was, of course,
snow covered, but the wind sweeping
down from the valley had carried much
of the snow away, so that it had the ap-
pearance of path channeled through q
heavy drift.
Night was coming on, and Sholto knew
full we'll that his homeward journey was
not wholly safe one. Although much
fatigued he did not allow himself to
sleep, but rather kept a close watch on
all sides. His sole weapon of defense in
case of danger was n Ratchet, which he
always carried with him whithersoever
he went.
The horse was making good speed, and
the sledge was fast leaving distance be-
hind it, when Sholto, looking back, saw
two dark, hideOus animals swiftly pursu-
ing him. And soon one of them almost
touched the sledge, and its hot, steaming
breath rose up into Sholto's face. AL
though the effort to STAY the animal
might have been successful he chose not
to attempt it. He knew that it was the
horse that was wanted, and that every
thing depended on the latter's courage
and swiftness. If he could only keep
the horse in the track and prevent it
from bounding off in the snow-drift he
was sure that he could ward off all dan
ger. So, in order to preserve the cour-
age of his steed, Sholto leaned forward
and caressed him with word and hand
1t was a terrible moment as Sholto
kept his hand on the horse and his eye
on the ferocious wolves who were menac-
ing his flight The number of the latter
had increased, and one of them, younger,
larger, and longer-lmbed than the others,
managed to keep pace with the sledge.
Sholto raised his Ratchet to strike, but
the wolf, lodging the blow, turned aside,
maintained its footing, and ran alongside
of the horse. The latter espying his
bloodthirsty pursuer, groaned i'll despair,
and, as if impelled by sudden terror, gave
leap forward and outdistanced the wolf.
BY degrees the wolf fell back to the
sledge. Sholto raised his hatchet again,
but the animal lodged, stumbled, and
was left some yards behind.
Meanwhile the other wolves were Civ
ing hot chase. Sholto realized for the
first time the awful predicament that he
was in, and prepared to defend himself
with a life struggle, If need be. He be-
gan TO think of home and of the dear
young wife who was there awaiting his
return. A thousand thoughts crept into
his mind and poured over his brain with
the scorching heat of a stream of lava.
He could not say die He could not
surrender without contest his hopes,
his life, his all. Something cheered him
on and babe him to be bold.
While thus meditating, an unlocked
for occurrence brought him to his senses.
His horse, frightened by the sharp claws
of one of the wolves, dashed forward in
such manner that the sledge became
entangled in the stump of an old tree
which loomed above the surface of the
snow. A collapse was the result; the
horse went off at tearing speed, and
Sholto was left to the mercy of the
wolves2
In less than second of time one OF
them was upon him. He felt heavy
claw tearing the front of his sheep-skin
coat he felt the blood slowly oozmg
. down from fresh wound. Made DIES.
perate, but not in despair, he grapp.ed
, with his assailant During the encounter
his weapon was jerked from him, and he
had now only pair of strong and sturdy
, hands as q means of defence. Whilst
- - Il. Il