Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-08-05
A Ronoapce y
OF
Fifty Years Ago.
BY Trickery He Got q Wife
and Ealf n Century Later
Got His Deserts.
sooooooooooooooooooooooo

1T WAS i'll tle year 1St;D. said the Old
settler, that | came to Cleveland | be-
came acquainted with a widow who
kept few boarders on what is ROW
known as Euclid avenue.
My iandlady had two daughters. both
lively. intelligent and possessed of graces
that only come from association with the
better class of society. They were of ex-
tremely gay disposition, and | had not
been at the house Il 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.
''The winter had nearly passed, with
out finding me any further advanced in
my suit, until one night in February, aft
er heavy fall of snow, | asked Fanny
to take a sleigh ride with me, to which
she consented. and after tea | procured
as high stepping pair of horses as could
be found in the city, drove up to the house
of my affinity, and in a 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 a 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 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 a rise in the road that
disclosed n level strip of two or three
miles in length before US / said to myself,
Before we have travelled the road now
in view ! will settle my fate and go
home happier or more miserable man.
Hardly had | come to this conclusion
when | heard a peculiar rushing sound
behind us. and. looking around, could see
a 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
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 newsT
Why, Henry, what is the matter? What
makes you so paleT Assuming a 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
nc, said, 4 did not know there were any
wolves so near the city, Henry Neither
lid think there were any, | 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 |
ments, and unless our horses can go to |
he stone tavern in Parma before we are
)vertaken we are lost
AT this juncture the old curly horned |
eader, tired and out of wind from the
ong run, gave vent to prolonged bleat
which was fearful enough to scare girl |
ess timid than Fanny. | sawed on the
lorses' bits, hourished my whip frantic
tod
md apparently doing their best to escape
he fate behind them, but | was secretly
lolding them back to allow the wolves
o 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
ne few minutes ] said, and we may
But the sheep had no appetite
or the robes and were close behind u.s.
81 arose in the sleigh, gave the reins
o Fanny, saying: Drive for your life!
will sacrifice myself for you! and made
movement as if to jump out of the
leigh. Never, neverp she screamed.
We will die togetherr And she pulled
ne down beside her to await her fate.
While thus employed l succeeded in OBJ
aiming hasty avowal of Fanny; at the
anne time l was holding back the horses
o let the pursuers go by. They came;
he monsters separated and passed us
N the other side, while / held my hat
yer her face that she might not see the
readful deception l had played upon
er.
''She tainted the moment we were over
aiken by the wolves, and, without try
ng to revive her. turned the horses
omeward and only Stopped to pick up
he robes which had been thrown out to
heck the ferocious animals. After driv-