Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-12-10

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The long drawn vail of the leadeA
again chased the m%ournful echoes
deep in forest gloom. No time to lose.
The Elder broke from the track, worn
deep by tote teams, and fastened
through the deep snow to the trees
beside the road. There was but one
tree Of climbing size at hand, so far
as he could dis cern, amidst that murk
and gloom.
This was a pine, possibly six or sew
en- inches through. Some falling giant
of the woods had broker off the top.
perhaps ten feet from the ground.
The Elder paused an instant, then his
sailor training served him well as he
climbed the quivering tree. and none
too soon.
1t was a mere stub with only n
limb strong enough to hold up his
weight, n near the top. Even this
seemed alarmingly lear the earth, n
of brittle pine. The first VOLTS eyes
,lowed in the darkness below as he
seated himself cautiously and threw
one arm over the broken top of the
friendly tree. others came Looping,
hunger driven; or sinking cautiously
in dread of danger; some high sped
by youthful ignorance n courage.
Soon they rushed, a frantic, grue-
some band, leaping high in air. The
Elder drew his feet up on his slender
perch as the 1.-THE leader sprang high
and closed his jaws with n crash OF
cleaning teeth no more than a foot
and a half from the Elders feet.
They were now a mass of snarling
dogs standing up beside the tree to
tear It's bari with cruel fangs; or
jumping on ach others backs to get
nearer the coveted feast. The Elder
could think Of no comparison more Mt
than a revival meeting led by the
evil one with fiends on the anxious
seat!"
lie was terrified in body and soul,
but soon his resolute spirit Gained the
hody's terror as he poured out his
trust. his hope. his faith and resigna-
ton, in fervent prayer to God.
The ravenous beasts became more
noisy in their fury as immunity to
danger grew apparent. At last it
came to the Elder like a fash OF in
spiration, aver like a divine answer
to that Heaven-piercing prayer, that
wolves are terrified at the fash OF
flame and fire.
He drew from his pocket a match
box, relic and habit of sailor days,
But, What to use for finder?
Searching his pockets he clasped
his Bible in hand. All! the leaves are
just the thing!
Then his soul shook in strong re-
vulsion as he cried aloud:
Better death than dissertation OF
Thy World"
He reverently returned the Bible to
his coat pocket and slipped his be-
numbed hand under his coat. All!
that vest pocket n the treasured
"greenback."
With fingers slightly warmed he
gathered a bunch of pine needles
and carefully placed the crisp ten-dol-
lar bill within, scratched a match and
4eld it beneath his treasure.
Tiny flame; a glimmer; a hope; a
thrill of keen despair; another tongue
of fame from a new match; a burst
of light.
Already some of that coward crew
are skulking shadows, cautiously
breaking off a handful Of twigs and
branches he lighted them and dropped
them all aflame among the besiegers,
% %retreating toward the outer dark
ness.
Down the road a rifle shot rang out,
sharp, imperative commands; rousing
the slumbering echoes to insistent re-
ply. The wolves vanished like phan-
toms in wierdest dreams.
Hello, there! Anyone in trouble?"
rang out a voice in the distance.
The wolves had me treed!" said
the Elder. but, thank God, they have
all left"
When the three armed rescuers ar
rived they ound the good Eluer down
from the tree, down on has knees In
the snow, pouring forth his thankful
ness in praise to the Great Del1verer,
in fervid wor the inspired psalmist
might have spoken.
For many winters, around the cozy
farmhouse fires, a favorite story was
that Of the burned greenback which
good old Elder McEntee sacrificed
e. H~ollenbeck.