Louisiana capitolian., 1880-06-03
CRYING WOLF.

tho shores of Stcp|ons river ta small
stream emptying into Casco bny), aman
named Peter Jolin. an honest, upright
follow, with one abominablo habit, TINT
won many enemies und caused much
discomfort und oven suffering to those
around him. This fault was IN almost
Irresistible fondncss for practical Jok'
Ing that would not allow him to lot M
opportunity pass nnimproycd Wherein
llo could crafty the special passion OF
his being.
There camo u time, however, when
tho exercise Of his pcculiarity brought
upon him an ordeal 10 sharp that ii
cured his unfortunate propensity, TO
tho great joy of his family and friends
Tho process was dsasrccablr, but tho
onro WINS cllcctunl and permanent.
Ono duy Potor had been ut work II
few miles from his home. Aflcr his
days labor was finished his employer
invited him to partako of at evening
incal with him th's invitation Pctcr
accepted, aud then his system fortified
by hoorty supper, bc commenced his
journey homoward.
Tho path which Potor trod that night
would load ono today through Cultl-
vatcd fields and by many pleasant farm
houses, but thon IL was IN unbrokon
forest.
IL was u dark, cold December night.
Tho wind swept icGrfully among tho
great pines and bccchcs; strange, moan.
ing sounds went sobbing through The
forest; now aud then IN owl uttered
it's hoatse cry, or tho sudden ratt|ing of
tho dead leaves told when somo tinid
animal sGurriod away ut tho sound Of
footsteps.
But Peter was strong, st0uL.hrar tod,
and trudgcd quietly along, without pay-
ing much attention to tho signs and
sounds around him, until ho had acIiuv-
cd, perhaps, onc-half of his journey,
when suddenly his ears caught tho
sound of horses feet descending tho
long, rocky path behind him. Gradu-
ally tho sounds drew nearer until tho
sharp, peculiar voice Of tho horscnlan
could DO heard urging tho beast to u
faster gait.
All, ah = said Peter to himsclI, as llo
heard tho familiar tones, that Is Unclo
Tom Barry
Now UncIo Tom and Peter wutu neigh
bors-thas is to say, their Cloarngs lay
about milo apart; aud mono knew
better than Potter that tho old man was
naturally of u timid disposition P; aud
furthermore, that nothing inspired him
with greater fear, nothing which he
would rather meet than u wolf. No
sooner, therefore, had Potter become
convinced that tho hotscman behind
was his noighbor than no resolved TO
usc his knowledge Of Unclo Toms fail
ing us tho means of working out what
ho considered would DO u capital joke,
His plans were soon laid, and ho pro-
Cccdod to pat thom iuto execution
Creeping through tho underground
which bordorcd his path, no crouclcd
down and patiently awaited tho up-
prOach of his victim. llo had not wait
oil long before Uncle Tom, his horse at
u sharp trot and himself casting timid
g|ances around, arrived opposite his
place Of c0ncoalmcnt. Pctcr allowed
him to pass II few PAGES, and then,
springing forward on his hands and
knees, hC uttered ono or two suarlng
yclps, instantly followed by tho loud,
clear gathering cry of tho wolves
The effect upon Uncle Tom was cleo
trical. Springing half way out of his
saddle, no uttered q scream of terror,
and thon STOPPING until his head nearly
touched tho manc, he plunged the spurs
into tho horses flank, and was of like u
shot. As for Pctor, he rolled over on
his back, aud kicked his heels in hugo
enjoyment at his success. Loud and
long ho laughed, occasionally varying
tho performance by making tho forest
ring with repetition Of tho wild, say
age cry that had struck such terror into
Uncle Toms timid heart. Bnt thcro is
an end to all things, and so after awhile
there was an end to Peters mirth, aud
he, wiping his eyes, rcgained tho path,
aud was about to resume his journey,
when ho heard u sound that sent cold
shivers coursing over his body, and al.
most frozo tho blood in his veins. Tho
wolves had heard this successful imta.
tion of their music, and wcro coming
down full cry upon him.