The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-06-01
Adventure With n Wolf.

IT was on clear frosty night, the last
of the old year. soon to be succeeded by
the new. The winter months already
past, had been quite severe, and the re.
suit was every river and pond for miles
around presented frozen sheet of ice |
had received pair of skates as Christ.
mas gift, and wishing to try their steel,
that afternoon skated over to see my cousin
Charley, who lived with his grandfather
near Indian Creek, one of the many small
from our house.
| came upon Charley, who was also
skating, but had not as yet ventured far.
Their than the creek above mentioned. For
over two hours we amused ourselves in
every available way which the ice only
can permit, and then l gave Charley to
understand that it was time that | should
start for home. But he would not listen
tG this; ut least, not until would 60 up
TO the house. So went
After supper grandfather held us seated
for another hour, with stories of adven-
ture, etc. Again, as l rose to go, they
wished to detain me until morning; but
knowing the alarm and uneasinesss my
absence would occasion at home after
having promised to return at dark,
would not be persuaded to remain. Alto
gether l thought should appreciate the
journey back. So, rather regretfully,
Charley accompanied me to the creek.
Hastily Swapping on my skates launched
out few strokes and turned, as | head
him say; I'm be over tomorrow,
Vivian"
He had just before promised to do So
again assented and desired that he should
Here, Blinker,n he said addressing his
dog-one which | had given him. The
animal was overjoyed to renew my &C.
quaintance after having been separated so
long, but now sat on the bank whining
mourniully as he saw l was about to
leave him. But obedient to his new mas
ter's voice, he followed Charley away. l
struck out with slow and easy motion,
for my legs ached, which the fatigue OF
skating most of the day had brought on j..
As entered the river from the creek.
with the dark outlines of the trees stretch
ing far ahead on either side, feeling of
uneasiness crcpt over me, which the wild
stories | had heard from grandfather,
still lingering in my memory, did not
help to alleviate, and regretted my hasty
decision in declining their hospitality OF
the night.
looked back in hopes of seeing Char.
ley, and as a last resort tell him | would
accept rather than refuse his gratuitous
offer But of course he had long since
disappeared from view, and so there was
no chance of a rescue in that direction
while admitted | would not be so boy.
ish as to return. | avoided the shore as
much as possible, for the dark shadows
of the wood had no charms for me, but
only tended to inspire me with feeling
Of dread, which, spite all my efforts to be
gay, could not cast aside.
felt lonesome and i'll at ease. You
may estimate it as cowardice on my part,
and probably it was; can't say. I was
afraid, but of what could not tell OBJ
jects on the shore took the shape of every
thing wild and monstrous TO my timid
fancy. started nervously at every sound
proceeding from the forest, and pcercd
cautiously around, as if half expecting to
see some ravenous beast dart out from the
dark recesses and give me chase. At last
my songs and voice being exhausted, re-
lapsed into silence. Nothing broke the
stiffness of the clear night air save the oc.
casional scream Of some night bird, or the