Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-09-07
ooooooooooooooooooooooooool
A RomaDce y
! Of
Fifty Years Ago.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
BY Triokery He Got q Wife
and Half n Century Later
Got His Deserts.

Coooooooooooooooooooooooo0
at was in the year 1850" said the old
| settler, that came to Cleveland. be-
came acquainted with widow who
kept few boarders on what is now
known as Euclid avenue.
"My landlady had two daughters, both
lively, intelligent and possessed of grnces
that only come from association with the
better class of society. They We're OF eX-
tremely gay disposition, and had not
been Mt the house month before was
hopelessly in love with Fanny, the elder,
and though at times her manner toward
me was tender and encouraging she care
fully avoided giving me an opportunity
to be alone with her long enough to de-
clare my passion.
1.-THE winter had nearly passed, with
out finding Inc any further advanced in
my suit, until one night in February. aft
err a Heavy fall of snow, l asked Fanny
to take a sleigh ride with me, to which
she consented, and after tea l procured
as high stepping n pair.of horses as 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.
"The night was just cool enough to
make it necessary to place my arm round
my companion, the horses were frisky,
and the moon shone with that peculiar
light which is preferred by lovers to all
others, unless it be that of parlor lamp
turned down so low that as an illumina-
tor it is nearly useless.
Through Brooklyn township we whirl-
ed out into the country, where the lights
from the farmhouses became more scat
tered, and the baying of a 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 rise in the road that
disclosed level strip of two or three
miles in length before us said to myself,
Before we have travelled the road now
in view l. will settle my fate and go
home happier or more miserable man. :
Hardly had l come to this conclusion
when l heard a peculiar rushing sound
behind us, and, looking around, could see
flock Of sheep coming at full speed to-
ward us, and behind them were two or
three dogs, which accounted for the
fright of the sheep, which would doubt
less run for miles before stopping and
cause their owner much trouble in hunt
ing them up. But bright thought came
to me. Fanny was a city girl and had
| never seen sheep save in the shape of
outlets or roast at her mothers table. /
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
Of the death of his parents, wife and
friends. said: Fanny, my girl, are you
brave? Can you bear terrible news?'
Why, Henry, what is the matter? What
makes you 80 pale2 Assuming more
tragic voice, replied; BE firm, dearest;
rely on me. We are followed by wolves.
Look behind you, and you can see the
monsters, 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. cause the
widest dismay, then, drawing nearer to
me, said, i did not know there were any
wolves so'near the city, Henry Neither
did, / think there were any, l replied, but
it seems we were mistaken, for these be-.
hind us are Of the gray species and most
dangerous of any to meet. Driven by
hunger, they have approached the settle.
the stone tavern in Parma before we IRE
| overtaken we are lost
AT this juncture the old curly horned
leader tired and out of wind from the
long run, gave vent to prolonged bleat
which was fearful enough to scare a girl
| less timid than Fanny 1 sawed on the
horses bits, fourished my whip frantic
ally around them until they were excited
and apparently doing their best to escape
the fate behind them, but was secretly
holding them back to allow the wolves
to get closer. On came the bloody horde,
painting for breath, nearer and nearer,
until began to throw out robes and
blankets. These will keep them chew
ing few minutes said, and we may
| escape But the sheep had no appetite
for the robes and were close behind u.s.
II arose in the sleigh. gave the reins
to Fanny, saying: Drive for your life!
will sacrifice myself for you! and made
u movement as il to jump out of the
sleigh Never, neyer!,. she screamed.
.yNe will die together!v And she pulled
me down beside her to await her fate.
While thus employed l succeeded in OBJ
tanning a hasty avowal OF. Fanny; at the
same time was holding back the horses
| to let the pursuers go by. They came;
the monsters separated and passed us
on the other side, while held my hat
over her face that she might not see the
dreadful deception l had played upon
| her.
."She tainted the moment we were over
taken by the wolves, and, without try
ing to revive her. l turned the horses
homeward and only stopped to pick UP
| the robes which had been thrown out to
| check the ferocious animals. After driv-
Ing mile or two my now aftianced wife
revived sufficiently to hear how we were
saved by party Of sleigh riders who met
us just as we.were surrounded. Though
nervous and weak from the excitement,
she recovered her buoyancy of spirit be-
| fore we arrived home and had promised
to keep our adventure secret, as in
formed her the owner Of the horses
would charge me fearful price if he.
knew to- what test his steeds had been
put And that is my adventure with
wolves and how / came to marry"
"But did your wife never find out the
deception you practiced?" we asked the
old settler rs he laughed again while
thinking of his boyish pranks.
,UNot until oiuht yaorc- he