Year: 1859

Forty years ago my father settled in one
of the counties of Central New York
All was wilderness, wild, grand, beauti
full. We located fifteen miles from the
farthest pioneer. The woods were around
us-the tall trees and picturesque noun
tains.


We had opened space in the forest,
and cabin of that good old time afforded
us shelter. 1t looked new and comfortable
and its chimney smoke curled gracefully
up, and vanished with the shadows of the
forest. The blackened heeps smoked and
cracked, and indeed in those wild solitudes,
the wilderness blossomed and smiled in
the presence ofa yellow harvest. A happy
home was there. The birds sang at early
morn. and the deep river near the door
murmured sweetly at nightfall. There
were gentle whisperings in the old trees.
AS they bowed their heads in the winds,
a holy anthem foated up from the vast
temple where nature breathes fresh and
pure from the hand of God. The wild
flowers bloomed even by the very door
sill, and the deer stopped in the forest to
gaze upon the smoke of the chimney top.


Twas beautiful home in the wilder
ness! The spring brought us neighbors.
Twas great day when neighbor came
in and purchased land across the river
He received warm welcome from pioneer
hearts; and by the ready agency of pioneer
hands, comfortable log cabin peered out
from the dense woodland on the opposite
bank. watched the smoke from the op
posite roof as the sun went down, and
eagerly looked for it the next morning
But it was not the smoke | cared so much
about. only knew that 1t curled upward
from the freside where dwelt as beautiful
a creature as ever bloomed away from the
busy world. And SO 1 watched the smoke,
and dreamed as watched the river, until
the moon threw down its beautiful path
way of shining silver, and listened for the
sound of familiar footsteps.


Across the river was the home of Carrie
Mason. Before the haze of mellow au-
tumn had dropped its dreary hue on leaf
and stream, had learned to love her, and
to tell her so, in the still moonlight of that
hidden home. The leaves faded, and the
winter winds swept through the forest,





thick and fast, but our cabin homes were
bright, and our hearts were alive with hap
piness and hope. When the spring opened
and the birds returned, we were to be
married. A winter evening party in a
new country. Did you ever attend one,
reader? There are large hearts there to
be found. -,. ..t


Garry and had been invited to attend
a party; rude 'jumper" bad been built,
and in this we started. Ten miles were
soen passed, and we found ourselves in as
merry and hapyy throng as ever gathered
on a frontier. The huge fire crackled on
the wide hearth, and old fashioned fun and
frolic rang out until late hour. The moon
had gone down when we started for home,
and the snow began 10 fall, but we needed
it not, for we talked fast, as the stout horse
sped on in the forest, path,


Garry grasped my arm and whispered,
hist! The wind shrieked over the tops of
the dark pines, and laughed at her fears.
But she nestled close to my side, and |
talked with less glee. In spite of all my
efforts, a shadow would creep over my own
spirits.


The road wound amouga dense growth |
Of pines, which shot upward and yelled |
even the sky from our path. The old pines
swayed and moaned in the increasing storm
and the snow fell fast and thick. l touched |
The horse with the whip and moved quickly |
through the wood. Again Carry grasped
my arm. heard nothing but the storm,
and yet was startled as the horse gave a
snort and struck into gallop. With heart
Of happiness, l bad not yet dreamed of
any danger. Again the horse snorted in
alarm. There was no sound above the |
storm. IEfelt my cheek grow white and
cold, and l felt the blood run quick back to
my heart.


Clear, wild, terrible, it burst out in an |
nneartbly howl, like wall from world |
of fiends heard it, Its dismal, heart
chilling echoes had not died away on the
storm, when il was answered from score
1f throats. su1e t3.al.s


Merciful Godl pack of wolves were