The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1881-01-06
alanitowof pilot.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1881.
A WIFE'S DEVOTION.

age. had, with his wife, his bride of
week, been taken prisoner and held in
close custody in town of Burgundy.
De Brimont belonged to one OF the
lished, enthusiastic, and exceedingly
handsome, and his wife was all that the
wife of such man should be; in fact
her hand had been solicited by no less
than five princes, but undazzled by the
brilliant future she might have secured,
she chose to ally her fortunes to her
hearts first choice.
Though prisoners, the young couple
were treated with every courtesy, and
surrounded by every luxury, debarred
only of their liberty. About month
after they had been taken captive, and
when in fact treaty depended upon
their safe-keeping until its conclusion,
news reached De Brimont that his loved
mother was lying at the point of death,
eagsr to see him once more before she
departed. He represented the state of
things to the commander of the city, and
besought him by the affection he enter
tanned for his own mother, to send him
accompanied by suitable guard, to his
parents death-bed. In vain, however,
were his pleadings; too much depended
upon retaining him at present in captiv-
ity, and the commander courteously but
firmly refused his prayer. De Brimont
was in despair; be felt as though willing
to give the best years of his life to prison
walls, so he could now spend an hour
with his SO dearly-loyed mother ere she
went hence and was no more.
Nearly heart-broken, he once more re-
newed his entreaties, aud once more
received firm denial, when suddenly
his young wife appeared, and threw her
self before the feet of the commander
''Let him go to his mother" she said,
and keep me here; fix upon day for his
return, and if he is not here at the very
hour, let me die.
Upon these terms permit you to de-
part, unattended, the commander said.
At first De Brimont absolutely refused
to accept the offer, but upon the eager
persuasions of his wife, and the absolute
certainty of being able to return long
before the day fixed, he at last consented,
and with many embraces babe adieu to
his devoted wife.
He was obliged to travel many leagues;
but the horse he rode was good one,
and by nightfall of the day he set ont,
he reached his ancestral home. Hefound
the countess, his mother, very low indeed,
but the sight of her idolized son appear
ed to revive her somewhat, and she ling
cred on until the evening of the day
Immediately preceding the one appointed
for his return.
De Brimont had only time to kiss her
cold lips and give hasty orders concern
ing the funeral, and then leaving her to
be followed to the grave by every rela-
tive save the nearest and dearest, he set
forth on his return, having ample time
| to accomplish the distance.
He had proceeded about half way on
his journey, his mind absorbed in grief
on one side at the loss of his parent. and
Joy on the other at once more beholding
his bride, when suddenly he was set
upon by a furious wolf of an extraordin-
airy size, which darted out from a wood
that skirted one side of the highway
The serocious beast first seized the horse,
and tore and mangled the poor animal SO
terribly that De Brimona was forced to
dismount.
No sooner had ne touched the ground,
and before he had even time for thought,
the wolf left his first prey and sprang
upon him, and would certainly have torn
him limb from limb had he not with a
great presence of mind seized the animal
by the tongue with Que hand. and with
the other laid hold of his paws. After
struggling awhile with the terrible cres-
ture, the tongue slipped from his hold,
and his right hand was fearfully mangled
by the beast; but, notwithstanding the
pain he was III, he leaped upon the wolf S
back, and pressing his knees hard into
his sides, called aloud for succor. 1t
was not for his own life he fought, but
for his poor wife's. Who can realize the
terrible thoughts that rushed through
his mind during those frightful moments.
To his own fate he gave not thought,
save so far as it Affected that of his wife;
he would perish miserably on the road;
the world would say he had purposely
fled to some other land, leaving lovely
sud loving wife to die of his cowardice
and treachery. At length, however, to
his great Joy, his cries were answered,
and some peasants appeared; but none of
them dared advance.
"Well, then" De Brimont cried, see-
ing that entreaties were useless, and per-
ceiving that they carried guns, "fire; if
you kill me I forgive you, only swear to
me that one of you will hasten to B
and tell the commander how l died"
They all, with one voice made the re-
qnired promise, and then one of them
fired, but so terrified was he that he only
succeeded in sending three bullets
through the brave young nobleman's
coat, without injuring either him or the
beast.
Another then, holder than bis conrad
es, seeing the intrepidity of the cavalier,
and how firm hold he kept upon the
wolf, approached somewhat nearer, and,
taking deliberate and careful aim, fred.
The wolf was MORALLY wounded by the
shot, and almost instantly EXPIRED
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