The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-01-16


and grasping her, it was but the work
OF moment to put her into the box
and throw the robes over her. The
wolves were now making a 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 I could now hear her
piteous means from within; but 1
knew help might reach her before the
devilish brutes could gnaw into the
box. even if they did deyour 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 were gnaw-
ing at the mischievous ham. Selling
an old musket which I usually carried
loaded with buckshot. Tor deer, beat
them off and fred into the pack. I
knew by the terrific yells that the
charge had taken effect, but it did
little to check the onslaught. Even
the meat which I threw out seemed
but to increase their thirst for blood.
l could now see lights ahead, but /
knew they were sometimes visible at
q long distance. The horses were
laboring hard over the soft track and
several wolves were threatening them.
l momentarily expected an attack. I
resolved upon desperate expedient.
Checking the team as much as pos
sible for 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 u
black object rolled into the snow
almost beneath her forefeet. Firmly
grasping my knife, 1 reached down
and severed a tug. A sudden jerk, a
sharp snap, and the horses were flying,
free from their burden.
In few minutes I was dashing
along the main street toward the tav-
err, yelling for help at every jump of
the horses. a dozen men in a sleigh
were soon fastening to the rescue. l
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 was
not capsized, but the contents were
piled in a 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 head
fell back, revealing her face and neck
as white as snow, except q dark, ir-
regular line extending from her FORE
head down and disappearing under
her dress.
"Oh, my God, she has been shot, +"
I moaned.
That was the last knew until felt
soft hand gently pressing my fore
head; opening my eyes, there bending
over me was the lovely form of the
one who I was certain had been
pierced by bullet. but who had only
received slight wound by project
ing nail in the box.
The old log house still stands,
a cherished relic; home for
pigeons and play house for
the grandchildren. The big cotton.
good that spreads its branches over
the moss covered clapboards was
planted by Helen's own hands, when
it was mere sprout. But here comes
Helen the second, our first born.
holding sweet baby face to mine,
saying, "fiss darnpa, that's darling,
now tiss dramma."
Ask Helen ii lever forgot the words
Of the old parson.-New England
Homestead.