The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1875-02-26

$50 let them stand there, though empty now,
And every time when alone we bow
At the Fathers throne to pray
wen ask TO meet The children above,
In our SsYior's home of rest and love,
Where no child goeth away
Chased by Wolves.
TRUE STORY FOR BOYS.
It was late IN the afternoon Having
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--a good
natured, genial old man, and very fond
of relating stories. He had already dur
ing eur two days stay in the place told a
number OF these stories and we, his
listeners, had about arrived at 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 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 ~
Yes"
Well-Iet us move on--shall I tell a
story about him2"
What, another storya And you have
already told us half dozen"
ts You viii like it. y
s. Go on, then. :"
He is a Russian, and for many years
lived in Livonia, a province which once
belonged to Poland. You viii find it
laid down on recent map as the province
of Riga. -
ss Never mind-ten us the story"
ss The mans name is Sholto, and I'll
repeat the story just as I've heard him
tell it to us hundred times"
My 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 a distance
of twelve miles twice a week with his
horse and sledge. The road which led
to his house was 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 a
heavy drift.
Night was coming on, and Sholto knew
full well that his homeward journey was
not wholly safe one. Although much
| fatigued he did not allow himself to
sleep, but rather kept close watch ON
all sides. His sole weapon of defense in
case of danger was hatchet, which he
always carried with him whithersoeve1
| he went.
/ n
| the sledge was fast leaving distance be-
hind it, when Sholto, looking back, saw
/ two dark, mdeous animals swiftly pursu-
ing him. And soon one of them almost
touched the sledge, and its hot, steamine
breath rose up into Sholto's face. Al
though the effort to slay 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 keeI
the horse in the track and prevent Il
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.
4 It was terrible moment as Sholtc
kept his hand on the horse and his eye
on the ferocious wolves who were menac.
ing his fight. The number of the latter
had increased, and one of them, younger
larger, and longer-hmbed than the others
managed to keep pace with the sledge.
Sholto raised his hatchet to strike, but
the wolf, dodging the blow, turned aside
maintained its footing, and ran alongside
of the horse. The latter espying his
bloodthirsty pursuer, groaned in despair
and, as If inpelled 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, anG
was left some yards behind.
Meanwhile the other wolves were Civ
ing hot chase Sholto realized for the
was In, and prepared to defend himself
with life struggle, if need be. He be
i gan 10 think OF home and of the deal
young wife who was there awaiting hi
return. a thousand thoughts crept int<
his mind and poured over his brain will
the scorching heat of q stream of lava
He could not say dial He could no
surrender without a contest his hopes
his life, his all. Something cheered hin
on and bade him to be bold.
While thus meditating, an unlocked
for occurrence brought him to his senses
His horse, frightened by the sharp clawi
}
such manner that the sledge became
entangled in the stump of an old tre<
which doomed above the surface of the
snow. A collapse was the result the
horse went of at tearing speed, and
Sholto was left TO the mercy OF the
wolves3
In less than secsnd of time one Of
them was upon him. He felt heavy
claw tearing tho front of his sheep-sHn
coat he felt the blood slowly oozing
down from fresh wound. Made des-
perate, but not in despair, he grappled
with his assailant. During the encounter
his weapon WAS jerked from him, and he
had now only pair of strong and sturdy
hands rs means of defence. Whilst
wrestling with the wolf his eye wandered
off in tho distance, and in the thickening
shadows of the night he descried the
fickering flame of candle which shone
through the cottage window. He imag-
ined, also that he saw his wife peering
i out at him and calling in q aRd voice,