The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1880-04-23
Crying Wolf.

river Ia small stream e'nptyihg ihto
Casco bay), q man named feter
.lolitf, an honest, upright fellow,
with one abomiuable habit, that
voa many enemies, and caused
much discomfort and even suffering
TO those around him. This fault
wss an almost irresistible fondness
for practical joking that would not |
allow him to let an opportunity /,
pass unimproved wherein he eonld |
crafty the special passion OF his
being.
There came a time, however,
vhen the exercise OF his pecnliari'
v brought upon him an ordeal so
sharp that it cured his unfortunate
propensity. to the great joy OF us
amily aud friends. The process
sas disagreeable, but the cure was
etfectual and permanent.
One day Peter had been at work
A few miles from his home. After
his DAYS labor was finished bis EN-
nlover invited him TO partake OF an
evening meal with him; this iavi-
tstioa Peter accepted, aud then his
system fortified by Il hearty supper.
he commenced bis journey home
ward.
The path which Peter trod that
night would lead one today
through cultivated fields, and by
many pleasant farm.houses, bot
then it Was as unbroken forest.
II was u dark, cold December
nisht. The wins swept fittully
among the great pines and beeches;
strange, moaning sounds weat
sobbing through the forest now
and then an owl uttered it's hoarse
cry, or the sudden rafting OF the
dead leaves told when some timid
animal scurried away at the sound
OF footsteps.
Bat Peter was strong, stout
hsartsd, and trudged quietly along,
without paying much attention to
the signs and sounds around him.
until he had achieved, perhaps,
one-half of his journey, when sud.
denly his ears caught tine sound OF
horse's feet descending the long,
rocky pathbehind him. Gradually
the sounds drew nearer until the
sharp, peculiar voice Of the horse.
man could be beard urging the
beast to a faster gait.
"Ah, ah p said Peter to klmseli,
az he heard familiar tones, that
ia Uncln Tom Barry"
Now, Uncle Tom and Peter were
neighhors--that il to say, theiI
clearings lay about a mile apart
and none knew better than Peter
that the old man MAS naturally q
timid disposition; and further
more that nothing inspired hin
with greater fear, nothing which
he would rather not meet than I
wolf. No soouer, therefore, hat
Peter become convinced that thu
horseman behind him was hii
neighbor, than he resolved to us,
bis knowledge of Uncle Toms fail
lug az the means OF working GU
what he considered would he /
capital joke. His plans were SCOT
laid, and be proceeded to put then
into execution. Creeping through
the underground which bordere,
his path. he crouch down ant ia
tiently awaited the approach of hi
victim. He had not waited lou
before Uncle Tom, his horse at
sharp trot aud himself casting
tiInid glaces around, arrived oppo
site his place of coDcealment
Peter allowed him to pass a 70,
PAGES, and then springing forwar
on his hands aud knees, he uttere'
one or two snarliug yelps, instantl
followed by the loud, clear gather
ing cry OF the wores.
The effect upon Une Tom wa
electrical. Sprineing halfway GU
Of his saddle, he uttered sereaI
0f terror, aud then shopping unit
his head nearly touched the man'
he plunged the spurs into tn
horses flank, and was off ike
shot. As for Peter he rolled owe
on his hack, and kicked Els heel
in huge enjoyment at his success
Loud and long he laughed, oec'
sionaliy varying the periormane
by making the forest ring with
repetition OF The wild, savage CT
that had struck such terror inI
Uncle TOMS tinnd heart. Bl
there 10 an eud TO all things, aud
after awhile there was an end
Peters mirth, and he, wiping b
eyes, regaineu the path, aud vi
about to resume his jourDey, whf
he heard a sound that sent col
shivers conrsing over his body, al
almost froze the blood in bis vein
The wolves had heard his sncces
ful imitation of their muse, al
were coming down. full cry ups
him.
In an instant be realized bis y
sitlon ami peril. From THE sonn'
ne knew that the wolves were col
Ing down on either side of the pa
ne had just travelled, and, thel
fore, the nearest point of safe
was his own clearing, moro than
milo away.
All this passed through his nil
like q fash, aud then casirp all |
energies into play he dashed dos