Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1896-01-03
HOW HE WON HER.

"It was in the year 1850 that came to
Cleveland and became employed in a
hardware store on Superior street. l be-
came acquainted with widow lady who
kept 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 L
was hopelessly in love with Fanny, the
elder, and though ~ 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.
"The winter had nearly passed, without
finding me any farther advanced in my
suit, until one night in February after a
heavy fall of snow, l asked Fanny to take
a sleigh ride with me, to which she con-
scented, and after tea l procured as high
stepping pair Of horses rs 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. l had taken that road
partly because it led toward my old home,
and also owing to its being less travelled at
night than the G her 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 shono 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 illuminatOr it is
nearly useless.
Through Brooklyn township we
whirled out into the country, where the
lights from the farmhouses became more
scattered and the baying of n 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 n 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 will settle my fate and go home
happier or more miserable man.
Hardly had l come to this conclusion
before 1 heard 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
sheep which would doubtless run for
miles before stopping and cause their own
er much trouble in hunting them up. But
Il bright thought came to me. Fanny was
n city girl and had never seen a sheep save
| in the shape of outlets or roast at her
mothers table. l 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 arc
you brave-can you bear terrible newsY
why, Henry, what is the matter-what
makes you so pale? Assuming a more
tragic voice l 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 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, 4
did not know there were any wolves so
near the city, Henry Neither did
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 oyertaken
| we are lost
! "At this juncture the old curly horned
leader, tired and out of wind from the long
run, gave vent to n prolonged bleat which
| was fearful enough to scare a girl less
timid than Fanny. 1 sawed on the horses
bits, aourished my whip frantically around
them until they were excited and appar-
entity doing their best to escape the fate be-
hind them, but / was secretly holding
| them back to allow the wolves Cd TO get
! closer. On came the bloody horde, painting
for breath, nearer and nearer, until 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.
II arose in the sleigh, gave the reins to
| Fanny, saying, Drive for your life-I will
sacrifice myself for you'll and made a
movement as If to jump out Of the sleigh.
'Neverl NeverP 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