Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-04-05
THE FIELD OF ADVENTURE.
THRILLING INCIDENTS AND OAR
ING DEEDS ON LAND AND SEA.
An interrupted WeddinG-Saved by
Human Rope-Death on Either
Side Etc.

Side. Etc.
tn URING the present very Sc
we're season in Northern Min
nesota the wolves, which
abound in the swamps and
scantily settled timber lands, have be-
come very bold under the pressure of
hunger. A recent incident illustrates
this fact very we'll:
A young Norwegian farmer, who had
"bached" during the five years it re-
quired to make good his title to his
farm, built himself substantial house
during that time, and then came to
the conclusion that he had lived alone
about long enough. So he induced
the blooming daughter Of his nearest
neighbor, thriving farmer of the
same nationality. to accept half
share in his farm and whole interest
in his affections The wedding cere-
monY was to take place at the resi-
dence of the BRIDES parents, some five
miles from the farm OF the prospective
bridegroom. The guests assembled,
the minister was present, and the only
thing lacking to perfectly successful
wedding was the fact that the BRIDE
groom tarried.
Hour after hour passed. and he
came not; the young lady perplexity
passed into grief, then tears. and
finally Mysteries. The father, lineal
descendant OF the Vikings. who had
set down his prospective son-in laws
non-appearance to bashfulness, be-
came enraged when it began to look
as if his daughter had been deserted.
Summoning his grown sons and o
posse of the guests at the wedding
which had not materialized, they went
to the bridegroom's house, and found
it dark, locked Up, and with a broad
trail o. cE!s, OF Norwegian snowshoes,
leading straight into the woods, which
contirmel ! the fathers suspicious that
Olaf had turned traitor. He said
nothing, but Fastening home, took
down his Winchester, and accompanied
by two OF his sons, similarly armed,
set out for Aitkin in pursuit OF the
recreant.
Ill would it have Jared with Olaf had
the old man caught him, but he did
not, and for a very good reason. Olaf
was having troubles enough of his
own about then, and no doubt would
have been thankful for the chance to
relate them to any one, having fallen
victim to tailor. The tailor, after
the fashion OF his kind, had failed to
send home Olaf's wedding garments as
he had promised, on the day before
that set for the wedding.
Olaf waited, "nursing his wr ath 10
keep it warm" till alter dark, and
then donning his skis, started for
town. The distance across country is
only little more than two miles, and
being an expert ski-walker, Olaf had
no doubt of his ability to reach town,
get his garmt nts, and return in ample
season to reach his brides residence in
time for the ceremony.
That he did not was no fault of his,
for he reached town all right, found
his garments waiting for him, donned
them, and set out for home and happi.
ness at racing pace.
All would have been we'll if the
wolves lad not put in an appearance.
But they did, and few of them catch
ing sight OF the prospective Benedict
fleeing over the snow, took after him
: at once. This was on clearing, and
/ Olaf had to strain every nerve to reach
the timber before the wolves could
reach him. Kicking off his skis, he
, Skinned" up a small tree, leaving tho
wolves Mt the foot of it, frantically
trying to climb after him. About
every wolf in the township, hearing
/ the howls of his brethren at the foot
of Olaf's perch. connected the sound
with the idea OF free lunch in prog
2 ress somewhere, and came ut top
speed to take hand.
On this perch poor Olaf remained
until the old Viking came to his res
' cue, at just about daylight the next
morning. The old gentleman, who
had reached town with his wrath at
boiling point, heard that Olaf had
been there, found what his errand had
been, and promptly "sized up" the
. situation correctly. Beating up party
I of expert skinner and rifle shots, they
D took Olafs track, and finally came
a within hearing OF the concert which
: was being played ut the foot of the
: tree for the benefit of one very un.
e willing auditor. The rescuers en-
deavored to creep up near enough to
: secure enough wolf scalps to repay
$ Olaf for his tribulatlons, but the ever
e suspicious brutes took the alarm, and
Q got away with the loss OF but two o
= their number. Luckily, the night had
e not been extremely cold, and Ola
r escape with some pretty severe frost
d bites. The wedding came off the mex,
!, day.