Nebraska advertiser., 1877-05-03
A RACE FOR LIFE.

Dor and friend, but with one abomin-
able habit that won him many ene-
mics, and caused much discomfort
and even suffering to those around
him. This fault was an almost ire
sistable fondness for practical joking
that would not allow him to let an OPP
portunity pass unimproved, wherein
he could crafty this special passion OF
his being.
There came time, however, when
the exercise of this popularity brot
upon him an ordeal so sharp that IL
cured bis unfortunate propensity, to
the great joy of his family and
friends. The process was disagreea-
BILE, but the cure was effectual and
permanent.
One day Feter had been at work
few miles from his home. After his
DAVIS labor was finished, his employer
invited him to partake of the even
ing meal with him. This invitation
Peter accepted, and then, his system
fortified with a hearty supper. he
commenced his journey homeward.
The path which Peter trod that
night would lead one to-day through
cultivated fields and by many pleas
ant farm houses, but then it was an
uubroken forest.
IL was a Dark, cold. December
night, the wind swept fitfully among
the great pines and beeches, and
strange, mournful sounds went Sob
bing through the forests; now and
then an owl uttered its hoarse cry, or
the sudden rattling of the dead leaves
. told where some timid animal sour
ried away from the sound of foot
steps.
But Peter was strong and stout
hearted, and trudged quietly along,
without paying much attention to
the sights and sounds around him,
until he had achieved perhaps one
half of his journey. when suddenly
his ear caught the sound of horses
feet descending the long, rocky path
behind him. Gradually the sound
drew nearer. until the sharp. peculiar
voice of the horseman could be heard
urging the beast to faster gait.
'Ah, hau said Peter to himself, as
he heard the familiar tones; that is
Uncle Tom Barry
Now, Uncle Tom and Peter were
neighbors-that is to say. their clear
ings lay about a mile apart. and none
knew better than Peter that the old
man was naturally of timid dispo-
sition, and furthermore, that nothing
inspired him with greater fear, moth
ing that he had not rather meet, than
wolf.
No sooner, therefore, had Peter be-
come convinced that the horseman
behind him was his neighbor, than he
resolved to use this trait of Uncle
Toms as q means of working out
what be considered would be a most
capital joke.
His plans were soon laid, and he
proposed to put them into execution
Creeping through the underground
which bordered his path, he crouched
down and patiently awaited the ap-
proach of his victim. He had not
60 waited long before Uncle Tom, his
horse at a sharp trot, and himself
casting timid glances around, arrived
g. opposite his place of concealment.
Peter allowed him to pass a few pa
ces. and then springing forward on
his hands and knees, he uttered one
or two snarling yelps, followed by the
loud, clear, gathering cry of the
wolves.
The effect upon Uncle Tom was
electrical. Springing halfway out OF
his saddle. he uttered scream of ter
TOR, and then STOPPING until his head
nearly touched the name, he plunged
his spurs into the horses flank, and
was off down the road like shot. AS
for Peter, he rolled over on his back
and kicked his heels in huge enjoy
ment of his success. Loud and long
he laughed, occasionally varying the
performance 10y making the forest
ring with a repetition of the wild saw
age cry that had struck suck terror
into Uncle Toms timid heart. But
there is an end to all things, and go,
after awhile, there was an end to Pc
ter's mirth, and he, wiping his eyes,
regained the path and was about to
resume his journey, when he heard a
sound that sent the cold shivers
coursing over his body, and almost
froze the blood in his veins. The
wolves had heard his successful imi-
tatiou of their music. and were COM
ing in full cry upon him.
In an instant he realized his posi-
tion and peril. From the sounds he
knew that the wolves were coming
down on either side of the path he
had just travelled; therefore, the
nearest point of safety was his own
clearing, more than a mile away.
All this passed through his-mind In
a flash, and then. calling all his ener-
giles into play, he dashed down the
path with scarcely less speed and ter
ror than did Uncle Tom Barry him
self. Peter was famous runner, and
had come off victor In many trial OF
speed, when the people came together
at q raising or log-rolling, but this was
no holiday game. He was not taxing
his muscles to win the applause of ad'
miring friends, or to gratify an amoi'
ton to excel.
The race was for life.
Down the long slope that led to
Pilkin's Hollow, and up the ascent
beyond, fed Peter, while hardly q
hundred yards behind came snarl-
inc mack. hungry and fierce. The