The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-25
. HOW He WON HER.

''It was in the year 1850 that came to
Cleveland and became employed in q
hardware store on Superior street. BE-
came acquainted with widow lady who
kopt few boarders on what is now known
as Euclid avenue.
My landlady was accomplished and
had evidently seen better days, but the
death of her husband left her in reduced
circumstances. She had two daughters,
both lively, intelligent and possessed of
graces that only come from association
with the better class of society. They were
of extremely gay disposition, and 1 had
not been at the house a month before I
was hopelessly in love with Fanny, the
elder, and though at times her manner
toward me was tender and encouraging
she carefully avoided giving me an oppor-
tunity to be alone with her long enough
to declare my passion.
1.-The winter had nearly passed, without
finding me any farther advanced in my
suit, until one night in February, after
heavy fall of snow, 1 asked Fanny to take
a sleigh ride with me, to which she con-
sented, and after tea 1 procured as high
stepping pair of horses as could be found
in the city, drove up to the house of my
affinity, and in few minutes we were
whirling away out on the Cleveland and
Medina turnpike. had taken that road
partly because it led toward my old home,
and also owing to it's being less travelled at
night than the other thoroughfares leading
from the city, and we were not likely to
be interrupted in our ride or conversation.
The night was just cool enough to make it
necessary to place my arm around my
companion, the horses were frisky, and
the moon shone with that peculiar light
which is preferred by lovers to all others,
unless it be that of a parlor lamp turned
down SO low that as an illumination it is
nearly useless.
Through Brooklyn township we
~hirled out into the country, where the
lights from the farmhouses became more
scattered, and the baying of a watchdog
was the only sound heard. Fanny, who
had previously sung, laughed and chatted
merrily on our ride, now became quiet.
AS we came to rise in the road that dis
closed level strip of two or three miles
in length before US l said to myself, Be
fore we have travelled the road now in
view I will settle my fate and go home
happier or more miserable man.
Hardly had come to this conclusion
before heard a peculiar rushing sound
behind u.s. and looking around could see a
flock of sheep coming at full speed toward
Us, and behind them were two or three
dogs, which accounted for the fright of the
Sne0D, winch WOu1Q QOuDJIoSS run IOT
miles before stopping and cause their own
er much trouble in hunting them up. But
a bright thought came to me. Fanny was
a city girl and had never seen a sheep save
in the shape of outlets or roast at her
mothers table. 1 would indulge in a
strategy of the kind which is considered
fair in love or war. Lowering my voice to
the note of the stage Jibbenainosy where
he speaks of the death of his parents, wife
and friends, said Fanny, my girl, are
you brave-ean you bear terrible news?'
Why, Henry, what is the matter-what
makes you so pale? Assuming a more
tragic voice replied: BE firm, dearest
rely on me-. We are followed by wolves.
Look behind you and you can see the mon
sters. who are already thirsting for our
blood
''She gave o hurried glance backward,
heard the rushing sound of many feet, the
deep breathing, which, when heard in the
forests of the north, causes the widest dis
may, then drawing nearer to me said, L
did not know there were any wolves so
near the city, Henry Neither did I
think there were any, I replied but it
seems we were mistaken, for these behind
US are of the gray species and most dan
gerous of any to meet. Driven by hunger,
they have approached the settlements, and
unless our horses can go to the stone
tavern in Parma before we are overtaken
we are lost
"At this juncture the old curly horned
leader, tired and out of wind from the long
run, gave vent to a prolonged bleat which
was fearful enough to scare a girl less
timid than Fanny. I sawed on the horses
bits, fourished my whip frantioally around
them until they were excited and appar-
entity doing their best to escape the fate be-
hind them, but 1 was secretly holding
them back to allow the wolves O. to get
closer. On came the bloody horde, painting
for breath, nearer and nearer, until l be-
gan to throw out robes and blankets.
These will keep them chewing a few min
utes, said, and we may escape. But
the sheep had no appetite for the robes
and were close behind US.
81 arose in the sleigh, gave the reins to
Fanny, saying, Drive for your life-I will
sacrifice myself for your and made a
movement as if to jump out of the sleigh
Never Never!' she screamed. we will
die together?' And she pulled me down be-
side her to await her fate While thus en-
ployed succeeded in obtaining a hasty
avowal of Fanny; at the same timeI was
holding back the horses to let the pursuers
go by. They came; the monsters separated
and passed US on the other side, while 1
held my hat over her face that she might
not see the ufeauAu1 uSSoptAOu ndO pl1ySu
upon her.
''She tainted the moment we were over
taken by the wolves, and, without trying
to revive her, I turned the horses home
ward, and only stopped to pick up the
robes which had been thrown out to check
the ferocious animals. After driving a
mile or two my now affianced wife revived
sufficiently to hear how we were saved by
a party of sleigh riders who met US just as
we were surrounded. Though nervous
and weak from the excitement, she recov-
cred her buoyancy of spirits before we ar
rived home and had promised to keep our
! adventure q secret, as informed her the
owner of the horses would charge me a
fearful price if he knew to what tests his
| steeds had been put And that is my adj
venture with wolves and. how came to
marry
But did your wife never find out the
deception you practiced?'' we asked the