Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-08-22
A RACE FOR LIFE.

with him. This Invitation Peter accepted,
and then, his system fortified with a hearty
supper, he commenced his journey home
ward.
1t was dark, cold December night.
The wind swept fitfully among the great
pines and beeches, and strange, moaning
sounds went sobbing through the forest.
Now and then an owl uttered it's boarse
cry, or the sudden rafting of the dead
leaves told where some timid animal sour
ried away from the sound of footsteps.
But Peter was strong and stout hearted
and trudged quietly along, without paying
much attention to the sights and sounds
around him, until he had achieved per-
haps ono-half of his journey, when sud
denly his ears caught the sound of a
horses feet descending the long rocky
path Lehind him. Gradually the sound
drew nearer, until the sharp, peculiar
voice of the horseman could be heard urg-
ing tho beast to faster gait
"Ah! hal" said Peter to himself as he
heard tho familiar tones; "that Is Uncle
Tom Barry"
Now, Uncle Tom and Peter were neigh
bors--that is to say, their clearings lay
about mile apart-and none knew better
than Peter that tho old man was naturally
of a timid disposition, and, furthermore,
that nothing inpsired him with greater
fear, nothing that he had not rather meet,
than u wolf.
No sooner, therefore, had Peter become
convinced that the horseman behind him
was his ncighbor than he resolved to use
this trait of Uncle Toms as n means Of
working out what he considered would be
u most capital joke. His plans were soon
laid, and he prepared to put them into ex-
ecution. Creeping through tho under
growth which bordcred his path he
crouched down and patiently awaited the
approach Of his victim. He had not wait
ed long before Unclo Tom, his horse at
sharp trot and imself casting timid
chances around, arrived opposite his place
Of conCealmont, Peter allowed him to
pass few PAGES, and then, springing for
ward on his hands and knees, he uttered
ono or two snarling yelps, followed by the
loud clear, gathering cry of the wolves.
The effect upon Uncle Tom was cleo
trical Springing half way out Of his sad
die, no uttered u scream Of terror, and
then, STOPPING until his head nearly
touched the name, he plunged his spurs
into the horses TANKS and was off down
tho road like shot. AS for Peter he rolled
over on his back and kicked his heels in
hugo enjoyment of his success. Loud and
long he laughed, occasionally varying the
performance by making tho forest ring
with repetition of the wild, savage Cry
that had struck such terror into Uncle
Toms timid heart.
But there is an end to all things, and so
after awhile there was an end to Peters
mirth, and he, wiping his eyes, rcgained
the path and was about to resume his jour
ney, whom he heard II sound that sent tho
cold shivers coursing over his body and
almost froze the blood in his veins. Tho
wolves heard his successful imitation of
their music and were coming in full Cry
upon him.
Calling all his energies into play, he
dashed down tho path with scarcely less
speed and terror than did Uncle Tom Bar
ry himself. Peter was famous runner
and had come off victor in many u trial of
speed when the people had come together
at raising or log rolling, but this was no
holiday game. The race was for life.
Down the long slope that led to Pilkin's
hollow and up tho ascent beyond fled Pc
snarling pack, hungry and force. Tho lifo
of IN unarmcd man would not be worth a
minutes purchase could they once sur
round him.
Down another long slope, across broad
sheet of ice ut its foot and Letherbces hill,
with its long, steep ascent, lay before him.
He shuddcrod MS he glanced up its rugged
side, for he felt that his strength would
hardly suffice to carry him to the top.
still ho kept on, though it seemed mad
ness to hope, for his pursuers had gained
on him fcarfully; he knew it by the beat
ing of their footsteps but, with energy
inspired by mortal terror, he ran on, hop
ing to gain only the brow of tho hill, for
there the ground became more open, and
his own cabin was but IA few yards beyond.
He felt sure that his pursuers would not
follow him beyond the summit, but could
he reach it before they would close upon
himl
No, not by his own cxertions for just rs
the thought passed through his mind his
foot caught under pnarlcd root that ex-
tended across the way, and he fell heavily
forward, his head struck tho frozen ground,
and hn lay sensoless.
When Peter recovered consciousness he
found himself hanging over tho broad
shoulders of his brother John and about to
enter his own door. Here hesoon collected
his scattered senses and was ablo to listen
intelligcntly to his brothers account of
his rescue.
Uncle Tom Barry, in his flight, had
stopped Mt tho cabin long enough to shout
through the window that tho wolves were
out and hurried on. John, who lived with
his brother, knowing that Peter must
como the same path took his gun land
walked out to tho edge of the forest, where
he halted tn listen. But short time
elapsed before he heard the sound OF the
pursued and pursuers, and rushing down
the hill no arrived upon the scene just In
time to leap between Peters PROSTATE
form and the wolves, the foremost of whom
was less than ten feet distant. Taking
steady aim, he sent u bullet into the crca-
turo' brain, and then, while the pack were
fighting over the dead body of their com
rade he slung Peter over his back end
gained the open ground in safety.
Peter frankly told the whole truth about
the affair from beginning to end and con-
cludcd the story with tho emphatic asser-
ton that as long as he lived he would
never be guilty of another practical joke,
vow he faithfully kept until his dying
tiny EXCHANGE