The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-12-17
PETER AND THE WOLVES.

IA named Jan Jansen, came to this
country and settled in the backwoods of
what was then old Virginia, clearing a
farm in the mountain wilderness near
the Cheat river.
These mountain Businesses were then,
as, indeed, they are still, tenanted by
the bear, the great gray wolf mot the
comparatively harmless coyote of the
West, and even the panther.
The Jansens were genial, kind-hearted
folk, and counted everybody n neighbor
and friend who lived within n circuit
of thirty miles.
If Jan or his wife were needed in time
of sickness or other emergency, they
took Peter and Greta and set out, leav-
ing the cabin locked, and the key hung
outside, according to the custom of the
country.
"Some Christian SOUL" they said,
" might need shelter or meal, and the
beasts could not unlock the door,"
Fear of the wild beasts prevented their
leaving the children at home, though,
in fact, neither bear nor panther were
ever known to approach house, and
wolves only in case of extreme hunger.
After living in the mountains for
few years, the Jansens became convinced
that there was no danger, and grew
more careless. They frequently were
absent in the field all day, leaving Peter
and Greta alone in the house. But they
took care never to let the night fall be-
fore their return.
The summer of 1850 was hard onein
that desolate region for man and beast
Crops of all kinds, even mast, failed.
AS the fall passed and winter APP
preached, the deer actually came near
the cabin in midday, driven by hunger
Rumors came from the far-off farms
that the wolves, gaunt and hunger
bitten, had attacked the cattle in the
barns.
In early December, Jan was sent for
to John Supplee, a farmer living about
ten miles down the range. Supplee had
fallen and broken his leg, and Jan, who
had good deal of medical skill, was
the only person who could bandage it
properly.
"You will come with me, Maria,n he
said to his wife, so that, in case l can
not come back before night, you can
bring the cart and OK home"
Maria kissed the children good-by. "I
will be back before sundown," she said.
You can have the supper ready, Greta
and Peter may milk the cow"
The children spent the day quietly at
work in building house for their hens.
The sun was going down before they
thought it was noon. Peter went to
milk the COW, and Greta to put the ba-
con to fry, and the corn-cake in the
covered skillet among the hot ashes.
"Quiet, quiet, good Spry!" cried Pc
ter, patting the white spot in her fore
head Mother is coming, and L have
not done my work"
Spry stood still. The milk was strain
ed and put away in the brown crooks.
The cake was baked, and waited,
smoking by the fire, but mother had not
come.
What is that, Peter? ?" Greta grew
white as she caught his arm. 1t was a
rushing, roaring, Kissing noise, which
filled the whole air; then. followed by a
deafening, prolonged crash like thunder.
Then there was silence.
The sky was blue, the setting sun
warm. The birds were twittering their
last good-nights before the darkness
fell. The two children stood trembling
in the doorway.
" 1t is an evil spirit" said Peter,
promptly, for the Jansens had brought
all their native superstitions with them.
1--WE have made him angry in some
way. Come in and shut the door,"
The crash had brought more trouble
to the children than could any angry
spirit. 1t was a tornado which had
crossed the mountains five miles to the
south, tearing up great oaks by the roots,
heaping the ravines with rocks and fall
len trees. 1t had crossed the road on
which their mother on the cart was
slowly driving the OK.
Peter was 10, and stout boy of his
age. He sat now shivering and whim-
pering in the corner like scared baby.
Mother is dead. He has killed her !'i
he cried.
Who would kill motherY I'll &c
and find her. Come. Do something