Year: 1872

AN OLD PIONEERS STORY.


"Your speaking of being chased by
wolves in Canada woods recalls similar
experience l once had in Ohio" said the
old pioneer as he shook with suppressed
emotion, but whether of a sad or pleasant
nature could not be ascertained in the dim
light of the fireplace.


''Let us hear your yarn" we suggested,
with reportorial eye to an item for con-
siderat1on in dull season.


go, it amt any yarn, assure you,"
said the old man, as he chuckled and
grinned, until a glacial movement of to-
bacco juice started from each corner of
his mouth and pushed it's way down the
wrinkles that led to his stubble-covered
chin below "Shut the door there-so
that mother can't hear what's going on.
and will tell you how I came to get mar
ried."


We complied with his request, and after
storing away fresh supply of the weed
'sthat cheers but don't inebriate," "he drew
his chair close to us and commenced:
''It was in the year 1850 that came to
Cleveland, and became employed in
hardware store on Superior street. had
spent all my previous life on farm, and
had become tired of tramping around over
the pastures, foddering sheep and cattle
in the winter, and working still harder
in the summer. l won't say anything
about the difficulties I experienced in get
ting employment upon my arrival in the
city, nor how 1 tried every place in the
town before I could fnd boarding
place that suited me, until I became
acquainted with widow lady who kept
a few boarders on what is now known as
Euclid avenue.


''My landlady was accomplished, and
had evidently seen better days, but the
death of her husband had left her in re-
duced circumstances. She had two
daughters, both lively, intelligent, and
possessed of graces that only come from
association with the better class OF soci-
ETY.. They were of extremely gay dispo-
sition, and l had not been at the house
month before I was hopelessly in love
with Fanny, the eldest, and | thought at
times her manner toward me was tender
and encouraging. She carefully avoided
giving me an opportunity to be alone with
her long enough to declare my passion.


"The winter had nearly passed without
finding me any further advanced in my
suit, until one night in February, after
heavy fall of snow, | asked Fanny to
take sleigh ride with me, to which she
consented, and after tea | procured as
housekeeping pair of horses as could
be found in the city, drove up to the
house of my affinity, and in few min
utes we were whirling away out on the
Cleveland and Medina turnpike l had
taken that road partly because it led to-
wards my old home, and also owing to its
being less travelled at night than the other
thoroughfares leading from the city, and
we were not likely to be interrupted in
our ride or conversation. The night was
Just cool enough to make it necessary to
place my arm around my companion, the
horses were frisky, and the moon shone
with that peculiar light which is prefer
red by lovers to all others, unless it be
that of parlor lamp turned down so low
that as an illumination it is nearly useless.


Through Brooklyn township we whirl-
ed out into the country, where the lights
from the farm houses 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 rise in the road that dis
closed level strip two or three miles in
length before us, said to myself, Before
we have travelled the road now in view, |
Will SCGtlO ulJ ldICJ oIO SO AOAuO 0 Alp
pier or more miserable man.


Hardly had | come to this conclusion
before 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 doubtless
run for miles before stopping, and cause
their owner much trouble in hunting them
up. But a bright thought came to me.
Fanny was city girl, and had never seen
a sheep save in the shape of outlets or
roast at her mothers table. I would in
dulge in a strategy of the kind which is
considered fair in love or war. Lower
ing my voice to the note of the stage Jib-
bennainosay, where he speaks of the death
of his parents, wife and friends, said,
Fanny, my girl. are you brave-can you
bear terrible news p why, Henry, what
is the matter What makes you look so
pale p Assuming more tragic voice, l
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


s'She gave a hurried glance backward,
heard the rushing sound of many feet,
the deep breathing which, when heard in
the forests of the north, causes the widest
dismay then drawing nearer to me, said
I did not know there were any wolves so
near the city, Henry Neither did I
think there were any, replied ; but 1t
seems we were mistaken, for those 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 the
Stone tavern in Parma before we are
overtaken, we are lost.


AT this juncture the old, curly horned
leader. tired and out of wind from the
long run, gave want to prolonged bleat,
which was fearful enough to scare girl |
less timid than Fanny I sawed on The |