New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-02-20
MA6GIE's LESSON.

night in midwinter. "a bright fire
cracked and sparkled in the wide Chin
ney place, the kettle sang merry tune
all to itself, to which demure {" grimal-
kin nodded grave approvals. A round
table, drawn to the center of the floor,
with snowy cover and neat appointments,
shone in the red light thrown by the logs
in burning. But there was evidently
something wanting to complete it's COM
fort for the master, who glanced expect
antly around as he walked toward the
fire.
"Where's Maggie?' he asked, finally,
throwing down his bundle of frostcrusted
wood on the hearth.
She mas gone with Arthur Tracy to
Sandville," answered his wife, mentioning
village several mlies to the west. ''He
had some business to transact, and he
asked her to. CO."
"Gone with Tracy!' repeated the hus-
band, in tone OF surprise and annoy
ance. II thought Harry was coming
here to-night?''
81 believe she decided to go with Ar
thur; girls are changeable, you KNOW"
returned the wife.
''Girls are fools!' added Mr.. Martyr,
administering a VIGOROUS kick to the
huge black log by way Of emphasis, send
ing a shower of red sparks up the chin
ney. "Bear in mind JANET he exclaim-
ed, turning angrily towards his wife,
"Mag will play her tricks once too often.
Harry Nelson is as fine young fellow as
ever stepped in shoe leather, and if she
offends him, she'll rue the day she did it,"
Mrs. Martyr sighed as she took her
place at the tea-table. Mothers love is
ever ready with an excuse, and, in this
instance, reasoned as follows Living in
a lonley, unfrequented Western village,
scarcely more than mere settlement,
with no society, save such as the rude set
tier could give them, though thoroughly
approaching the worth of Harry Nelson,
she could not blame Maggie for being at
tracted by the polished exterior Of the
handsome stranger.
Mr.. Martyr finished his supper in 81
anger in his heart.
''Did you caution Maggie about coming
home before dark?" he asked.
Eyes; it is time for her to be here now,"
returned his wife, glancing uneasily at
the clock, which was on the stroke of
five.
''And they have two stretches Of wood
land to pass through he muttered, look
ing gloomily out on the fast-gathering
night.
The mothers heart sank; she under
stood the ominous meaning conveyed by
his words.
Many parties, lingering beyond day
light in a pleasure ride, had never re-
turned; the stained snow, with scattered
fragments of torn clothing, told of their
fearful fate, and Of the scourge of the for
est-the wolves. The hours passed heavi-
ly. Six-seven--eight struck, and still
no ,igns Of their return.
At last, unable to bear his. suspense
longer, Mr.. Martyr went out in quest of
Harry, and with him to devise some means
of relief.
Meanwhile, the hours passing so wear
lily to the parents flew by laden with gay
enjoyment to Maggie and her companion.
With a pardonable vanity in her stylish
escort she extended her "calls" to far be-
You'd their intended limit, to which Ira
cy, wholly ignorant of the dangers of
Western life, politely assented. The sun
was far in the west when The last adieu
was spoken, the last invitation exchanged,
and the ride for home commenced in the
sledge and pair.
Before they had gone two miles, the
day was entirely gone, and the moon
shone brightly over the wide expanse of
snow Maggie closed her eyes with a
thrill of terror as they passed rapidly
through the first stretch of woods.
Nothing appeared to confirm her fears,
and she began to hope they might reach
home in safety.
Tracy broke the silence by exclaiming:
''This is the best part of the ride, isn't It,
Miss Maggie?" bending glance of ad-
miration on her fresh, blonde beauty.
Startled from her reverie, she Joined in
his merry conversation, while her thoughts
made an undue accompaniment to the
sledge music in the words of her father,
the evening previous "These clear, cold
nights are just the ones for the wolves
Suddenly to badinage and repartee came
fearful interlude, long, low cry, at
first howl, then dying away into pro-
longed, mourning wall, a sound once
heard, never forgotten
Maggie had repeatedly heard it when
the wolves pressed by sore hunger, ven
tured within the limits of the settlement.
At such times she would cover her head,
and, trembling with fear, pray that she,
or any loved one, might never be exposed
to such death.
And now a faint moan of anguish es-
capped her lips. Tracy turned to her in
surprise.
eWhy, what is the matter?" he cried.