The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-04-20
YOUNG FOLKS COLUMN.


who lived nearest decided to 20 home.
Among these were my little prince and
princess. 1t was early twilight when we
started, and there would have been time
to reach home before dark except that
the t,tn prince E; insisted upon taking wrong
tried hard to take the right road. but
the prince would insist on going astray
and we had to submit. Besides, we were
not entirely certain they were going
home, and so yielded when he would NOT
be guided by us: - :; ''S. -
$50 we got deeper and deeper into the
dark woods and farther and farther from
until suddenly we heard the bowling Of
the wolves. ) -
THAT brought him to his senses mt,
once. Knowing he was lost, he threw
the reins upon my back, telling his sister
to do the same with her pony. Nv
brother and l., too, had heard the wolves
ana we were Just about to take the bits
between our teeth and start for home
when we found ourselves free to choose
the road.
I'VE wheeled about and made for
home, as fast as we could put our hoofs
to the ground, but fast as we went the
bowling came louder and louder to our
ears, and we knew the wolves were gain
ing. Luckily the snow was light and
powdcry, and we did not slip or founder
about On and on we went, hoping to
get out of the woods, where our footing
was less secure than in the open fields
I'VE could run splendidly, if do say
it, and we reached the open before the
wolves came nearer than within half a
mile. And then it seemed to ME we had
never gone so like the, wind. But fast
as we We're those great, sinewy wolves
were swifter, and slowly they drew near
err and nearer until we could see that
there was pack of seven. We knew,
of course, just how far we were from
home. and | felt my heart sink within
me when | suddenly realized that the
wolves would reach us before we came t.
the village. where we might expect help
from the peasants.
My brother must have come to the
| same conclusion about the time / did,
for heard his breath come with a great
gasp, though l knew he could not be
exhausted.
Then, my dear children, I had the one
bright idea of my life. l suddenly slack
cned my pace and when l was near a
bank of soft snow deliberately shook
! my master off.
AT the same moment l gave q whin-
| ny which my brother understood, and he
stopped. l rubbed noses with him, max.
ing him understand what had in mind
| and then charged back toward the
| wolves
THAT was brave. said Lola.
Not at ALL replied the pony, coolly,
1T was clever, if you like but not brave
| knew that it was my only chance
Scared? l was scared out of my senses
| but kept my wits.
Seeing that l was gone, my master
mounted behind his sister, and away
! they went, going somewhat slower, it i
true, but still at fine pace. Mean.
while took my stand ON the open plain
meaning to sell my life as dearly as pos:
wolves?'
with their heels" said the pony. 81
was 1.-THE and active then. and | was sc
excited that | felt like bundle of stee
springs. The wolves surrounded me, but
| kept out of reach for a little time. When
| ever one would make leap I would
kick out, sometimes with one hoof, some
| times with both. And out of those sew
Gil wolves l killed two and disabled two
more"
,"Splcndid,' exclaimed the girls, clan
' 1T was Was I GOOD" said the pony "Bu,
all the time kept longing for the sound
of another horses hoof l knew my
master would try to rescue me. and that
| | was safe if | could only hold out. ]
lcaped, SHE'D I reared, bounded. The
wolves were more cautious now, for they
are cowardly brutes. but every instant
had to keep in motion, and again and
| again one would attack
| %! do not know how long kept then
at bay; but finally l heard a rifle shot
iii the distance. Then came another and
another-nearer and nearer. The fourth
shot knocked over one of the wolves, thu
rest took to flight, yelping, and l was
safe. The people from the village haG
come at full speed and just in time.
! II was taken home in 4 riumph- and ten
derby cared for. But as soon as it was
light next morning found that my name
my beautiful black name and tail were
white as snow
How did it happen that your master
ever parted with you?" asked Lola.
said the pony 'I-"
But just then the sun set, and the poo,
pony. couldn't say another word HI
| shook his head sadly and pointed with his
nose at the setting sun.-Tudor jerks in
San Francisco Chronicle.