Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-05-17
4 Fearful Straw RIds.
BY EMILE EGAN.

BY EMILE EGAN.
The young people of to-day car
scarcely realize what 'straw ride
was like hundred years ago, or tina,
the fun-provoking excursion enjoyed
80 much nowadays had an ancient
and necessary origin. 1t is probable
however, that as much fun and laugh
ter accompanied the straw ride ther
as now, for young people are alike in
all ages and the world over.
When our English forefathers set
tie first in the New England States
especially Vermont and New Hamp'
shire, they established their homes
upon the highlands, because, strange
as it now seems, the larger lakes,
ponds and rivers-where the beauti.
full meadows now are-were com
passed about with miles and miles OF
thickly wooded swamps, which were
almost impossible even in summer.
Last summer / climbed the noun
tain which is the scene Of this story,
and / counted there forty old cellar
holes, overgrown with grass and
brush, but indisputable evidence OF
former homes.
l asked stupidly-feeling certain
the answer would be, KILLED by In
dams or devoured by wild beasts
where did all the people go to who
once lived here?" The practical one
of our party answered, "Oh, they
moved down gradually, for, as the
woods were cut of, the swamps dried
up"
A hundred years ago the settlers
on the mountain made nothing of the
deep SHOWS which in winter covered
all that country, but turned out with
shovels and OK sleds-the only vehi-
cles known in the mountains in those
times-and manfully "broke roads, "
in order that their social intercourse
with their "Notchite" friends might
not be interrupted.
Especially was this the case in a
winter, when Mr.. Stevens, the most
"forehanded" of them all, had built
frame mansion, and was going to
give a house-warming ball. A string
of ox-teams was sent over the rough,
drifted road, and all was ready for the
jewellers.
There were enough people to fill
two sleds, and Thad Waldo and Free
man Eddy, each of whom owned two
yoke of oxen, were chosen as team
sters. Their sleds were filled with
straw and blankets, ready for their
respective loads, and they started
merrily of at four o'clock, reaching
their destination before dark. They
stayed there until three in the morn
ing, gayly dancing and feasting, with
never thought Of danger.
When the transfers went out to
tackle up" for the return home, they
found the sky heavy with dark clouds
and much warmer than when they
came over.
"Guess we're going to have our
January thaw," remarked young
Waldo.
"And I'm afraid well get q slump
over the south side. 1t won't be very
easy riding over those stumps and
stones" returned Eddy.
For mile or 80 the high spirits Of
the party made the woods and noun
tains ring with song and laughter,
but by the time they reached the
the fatigue of the dance be-
gan to tell upon them, and the
younger OF them commenced making
pillows of the laps Of their elders,
who, also, soon became silent.
Waldo and Eddy. as they reached
the notch, jumped from their sleds to
better guide their teams down the
and the latter shouted as
he reached the road, "Old Buck and
Bright will be more lively company
than that sleepy crowd"
The drowsy ripple Of laughter which
followed this sally was suddenly
by horrible scream which
seemed to fairly fill the pass, echoing
and re-echoing among the mountains
as II being answered by hundred
others.
The two teamsters sprang quickly
to the heads of their teams, now
trembling and cuddling up to each
other in fright. The men knew that
they had but moment to prevent a
down the mountain; for, as
soon as the poor oxen should recov-
er from their first alarm, they would
seek safety in flight, when it seemed
that the whole party could
escape being dashed to pieces.
Every person in the company, from
the Oldest to the youngest, fully ap-
preciated their double danger. They
knew that that defiant scream came
from a hungry panther-and that it
meant death.
Instantly every young man on the
sleds had his gun to his shoulder
they never went without them in
"those good old days"--peering
among the hemlocks which
lined the road, for the two fiery eyes,
the only part Of the ugly beast which
they expected TO see in the cloudy
darkness. Failing shot, they knew
that he would jump for them, when
thew passed under the tree where he