The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-05-25


ahead of them but he was alone. and
cowardly as those beasts are when
alone, he skunk back among the bushes
before they gained position opposite
| him. This sight reminded them of the
admonition of their parents to return
before dark if possible, as night is the
time when these yoracious animals usu.
ally make their attacks.
Although Julian had his rifle and
good supply of ammunition with him.
he did not use them upon the game they
saw. and nothing of moment occurred
to mar the pleasure of this ride. 1t was
the first sleigh ride for the season fol
| Carrie. and she enjoyed it with relish
such as only those of her bounding
health and vivacious spirits can feel.
In due time they arrived at the vii,
lage and proceeded to purchase the
articles they were commissioned opro.
cure. The purchases made, their din,
ners eaten. their horse fed with a good
mess of corn. for in that country, corr
largely supplies the place of oats a:
food for horses, they had only to call at
the post Office for their mail and would
then be ready to start on their return
trip for home.
BY this time it was about two clock;
and upon calling at the post Office they
were informed that for some unknown
cause the mail carrier had been delayed,
N-af artsix- alf OH
post master was expecting him every
minute.
This was the mail which would bring
the city newspapers from the east, and
both Julian and Carrie were anxious to
obtain those papers. as news was an eX-
ceedingly scarce article there III the
woods. and every paper received, was
read and reread by each member of the
La Nergne family, until its contents
were nearly orquite committed to men,
DRY.
Hence they decided to wait few
minutes, in the hope that that useful
servant of Uncle SAM government, the
mail carrier, might arrive i'll the mean
time; but the few minutes heightened
into nearly two hours before that i'm
pOrtant official put man appearance and
| explained the cause of his delay 10y
stating that some portion Of his sleigh
| had been broken on the route. which
neceSsitated considerable delay. as II
had to be repaired before he could pro
| ceed
BY the time the mail was changed
and our young friends were ready to de-
part, the sun was getting low in the
west. and the short Winter day was
drawing to a close.
They knew it would be dark long be-
fore they could reach home, and they
knew there might he danger IN the
woods, but both were stout-hearted and
determined TO brave it, knowing that
their parents would experience the most
extreme solicitude on their account
should they not return that night.
Slowing themselves in the sled and
wrapping the thick buffalo robe about
them to protect them from the cold,
Julian picked up the reins and bay
Cesar tossed his head and sprang away
upon a sharp gallOp along the glsten-
Ing road toward his home.
Julian pulled him down to trot, and
the fiery beast drew them swiftly over
! the snow until five or six miles had been
passed over, and then it began to grow
dark. Still the powerful horse abated
nothing of his speed, but in fact seemed
to enjoy the rapid travelling.
So far, but few words had beenspoken
| by either of them, for both seemed in
tent only on one thing, and that was to
reach home safely and as soon us posi-
bic.
Another half hour, and they passed
the last house they would see before
reaching their home; and yet there was
a long stretch Of more than eleven miles
Of lonely forest they would be obliged
TO traverse first.
Lights We're shining from the win,
dOWs Of this last house. denOtng that
the family were gathered within and in
safety, ard our friends all the more
heartily wished themselves in like
happy condition.
They had just passed out Of sight Of
til, last house when. bark, away off to
the right comes the dismal howl Of Il
hungry wolf.
Julian drew the Teius 50 suddenly. as
this sound came to his ears that bay
Caesar was drawn backward upon his
L,,r,cI III. md c4rpa ia =, Lul1lp i4't