The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-11-25

about the projecting piece on the dash
and grasping her, it was but the work
Of moment to put her into the box
and throw the robes over her. The
wolves we're now making horrid din
about the sleigh, and the horses were
rapidly running. The sleigh plunged
so that ] had difficulty in securely fas-
tening back the box cover.
"God knows, it may be her coffin !"
/ groaned, as / could now hear her
piteous moans from within; but
knew help might reach her before the
devilish brutes could gnaw into the
box, even if they did devour me.
Fear, such as had felt at first, had
left me now, and my blood was up.
Several wolves had mounted the
back end of the sleigh and we're gnaw-
ing at the mischievous ham, Seizing
an old musket which usually carried
loaded with buckshot for deer, beat
them off and fred into the pack. /
knew by the terrific yells that the
charge had taken effect, but it did
little to check the onslaught. Even
the meat which / threw out seemed
but to increase their thirst for blood.
l could now see lights ahead, but
knew they were sometimes visible at
long distance. The horses were
laboring hard over the soft track and
several wolves were threatening them.
l momentarily expected an attack.
resolved upon a desperate expedient.
Checking the team as much as pos
sible for q moment, carefully stepped
upon the sleigh tongue, and sprang
upon the off mare. We were now
completely surrounded by the how.
ling, snarling beasts, and had
scarcely struck my position when Sou,
the near horse, reared and violently
plunged ahead, and at the same time q
black object rolled into the snow
almost beneath her forefeet. Firmly
grasping my knife, reached down
and severed tug. A sudden jerk, o
sharp snap, and the horses were flying,
free from their burden.
In few minutes I was dashing
along the main street toward the tav.
ern, yelling for help at every Jump OF
the horses. A dozen men in a sleigh
were soon fastening to the rescue.
had cautioned them to be careful in
firing, as my wife was in box and
there would be danger of hitting her.
At sight of the men and dogs, the
wolves quickly dispersed. A few were
shot.
Contrary to my fears, the sleigh wal
not capsized, but the contents were
piled in confused mass in front. The
men soon had the cover off the box,
and eagerly reached for my loved
one and lifted her out. But her body
was limp and motionless; her heat
fell back, revealing her face and necl
as white as snow, except dark, ir
regular line extending from her fore
head down and disappearing under
her dress.
"Oh, my God, she has been shot,
1 moaned.
That was the last 1 knew until l fell
a soft hand gently pressing my fore
head; opening my eyes, there bending
over me was the lovely form of thu
one who 1 was certain had beer
pierced by bullet, but who had only
received a slight wound by project
ing nail in the box.
The old log house still stands
a cherished relic; home fol
pigeons and play house fol
the grandchildren. The big cotton
wood that spreads its branches over
the moss covered clapboards wa
planted by Helen's own hands, wher
it was a mere sprout. But here Gomez
Helen the second, our first born
holding a sweet baby face to mine
saying, "Tiss darnps, that's darling