The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-12-06

oor,2pd the handwriting as that of a
lived one beyond the sea, and then the
disappointment was all the more bitter
IN escape from the thoughts and feel
mos provoked by such surroundings and
social conditions the young postmaster
often put on his skates and found relief
in the exhilaration he derived from
,kimnling through the forest along the
passy streams just as business man
If the present time escapes from his
cares by retreating to his yacht and
racing over the water under full sail
On one of these occasions about the
middle of February of forgotten year
be plunged farther into the wilderness
than ever before, attempting to trace
frozen creek to it's source, and about
noon suddenly emerged into a little
clearing of whose existence he had not
previously been aware Knowing the
hospitality of the pioneers, he decided
to visit the little log hut that stood on
the edge of the clearing and get his din
ner before returning to his Office.
After unstrapping his skates he start
ed toward the house, from the stone
chimney of which a cheerful smoke was
ascending. He had proceeded but few
steps when he was confronted by an
aggressive apparition that startled him
into headlong activity. Just in time to
escape gnarled and twisted pair of
horns, he sprang nimbly to the top of
stump. Beneath him Stood the strangest
creature he had ever Sc N. The head and
horns were those of a sheep but instead
Of woOlly fleece the animal wore
kind of oyercoat made Of hempen canvas
sewed roughly with cords of Eastwood
bark A careful examination convinced
him that his assailant was the veneer
able leader of small flock of sheep,
though he could by no means guess the
meaning of his masquerading appear
ance Having satisfied himself that the
creature was not supernatural, he jump
Ed down from the stump intending to
proceed to the house. bat before he had
taken five steps he was sent headlong
INTO sncwdrift. He was blinded end
THAT'S THE LITTLE MAN THAT GOT MEL
CHIsEDEC INTO TROUBLE"
aall smothercd by the dry snow. and as
ne partly rose to his feet, spluttering
and clawing, he was bowled over again
0y his aggressive enemy.
Now Preston had heard in bis youth
mat when attacked by butting ram
one should lie still and wait for the
Orute to go away. He decided to try the
pan but he made the mistake of his
NE. lie had barely fattened himself
oI' Oh the ground when the ram landed
Oa the small of his back with the force
maple driver. The ram seemed inclin-
10 nse him as the circus clowns do
Wo cushion on which they turn somer
%"lFS and he quickly realized that
'uoush such scheme might have been
%' ERht with bellwether reared in
su9 lap of luxury, it was a complete
%iiure with this crook pated, cross
aalued old wretch who had taken to
earring burlap overcoat and had
p'ir OF horns that would have done
NeuiI 70 dilemma. AS soon as Preston
.sco''red his breath he uttered yell
oua' reused the echoes for miles and
sS: {: with his tormentor He caught
~. aIm oy the horns and together they
sS'leu through the drifts, collided with
olo-p S ana sent the snow flying in
wi. Mus, while Preston's yells mingled
~ ~ tue frightened bleating of tbs ram
so no uproar brought the farmer OH the
E; ene and with few we'll directed
~ AS ne made the ram lose interest in
s sLo battle aud return to his neglected
T FrA' with his coat trailing after him.
sn ,S :; larmer helped Preston to his feet
'nu inquired:
Will now did yeh get inteh the wrassle
WIN Melchisedec?''
10. beelzebub, you mean, don't you? 1
t has coming up to your house when the
1ak bunted me. -
him - yen mustn't be zoo hard on
yeh?" "ih hurt. Yen ain {, are
no"
spser len see he's had lot to try his
kmna .s ibis winter. The wind may be
il h.. to the shorn lamb, as the sayin
shorn ~ u amt by long shot for
ILL., and kinder guess the fit Of