A REAL HERO.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 100, 15 April 1876, Page 4

A REAL HERO.

(San Francisco Newsletter.") '■ How true it is that people who elevate on the highest pedestal of heroworship, the successful — or more often the lucky soldier — care to applaud or even notice those acts of genuine heroism in private life that we occasionally read of, and beside which the most daring achievements performed amid the rush and glory of the battle-field fade into nothingness when impartially viewed. A few days ago the Sunday School Superintendent of the little towu of Colesburg, Neb. (and who, with feelings of modesty, wishes his name withheld), decided upon treating the entire infant class to a sleigh ride, and for this purpose packed them into a six-horse sleigh, driven by himself. On tbeir road home again, and just as they were passing Hound Lake, which ia about twenty-four miles from town, they were suddenly pursued by a large pack of wolves, which animals have become very numerous in that vicinity of late. Lashing the terrified horses to the utmost speed, the brave Superintendent watched the yelping pack of demons os they orept slowly but steadily upon the sleigh. As if thoroughly aware of the terrible need of their master, the snorting steeds tore nlong the plain at a furious rate. With level necks and smoking flanks they rushed forward, dragging the heavy Bleigh like a feather behind them and covering it with a cloud of snow spurned backward by their flying hoofs. It was a race for life. The shrieking children clung to their teacher for protection. With a heroic effort he turned to them with a smile upon his pale countenance : — " We are having a grand race," he said quietly, " but we shall win it finely." On, on flew the horses, and nearer and

nearer came the wolves. The lionhearted man could see their glaring eyes glowing like coals of fire in the gathering dust, and he could almost feel the hot breath of the foremost of the pock. Something must be done. In moments of fearful peril the mind of the really brave man acts with inconceivable rapidity, and in another moment the boul of this true hero rose equal to the occasion. Selecting from among, the singers the little boy who never brought any pennies for the heathen, the gallant teacher dropped him out behind. For a moment the sleigh forged ahead of its pitiless pursurs, but only for a moment, for soon the devilish crew parted from around the little skeleton, and swept onward in the chase. Up, slowly, up they came, once more only to have their rush stayed as before by the little girl that didn't wipe her nose, and then by the boy who always wore creaky shoes. And thus erect, falter less, sublime, with the light of. true heroism shining in his eyes, the grand fellow stood steadily banding scholar after scholar over the tailboard into the snow — the pore, the soft, the beautiful feathery snow 2 yet always husbanding his resources with a swerveless purpose that nothing could subdue. Suddenly a familiar landmark shot past, and simultaneously the first real impulse of despair chilled his heart, for the ominous thought flashed across his brain that he was six miles from sncoour and only four scholars leftl True, Tommy Smedburg was very fat, could he be spun out a little? With the rapidity of thought he searched for his knife* Merciful heavens! he had left it behind! four miles, further, his last hope and little Algernon Didimus went overboard together. He had fought bis brave fight in vain, and with the shadow of a horrible . death upon him, the hero sank upon the bottom of the sleigh. Hark! oould it be that the wolves were not gaining? He raised his head. It was indeed true. Like lightning the solution rushed upon him and sent the blood once more tingling through his veins. As the sleigh grew lighter, of course the wolves grew heavier. The steady shifting of the Sunday School from the sledge into the wolves had slowed off the latter considerably. In another moment a barn flitted by and then a house. Lights danced before his eyes, and the staggering horse halted amid a obeeriog crowd. His brain reeled. Were these indeed his neighbors who crowded around, and. spoke his name ? Yes, he was saved I . And with that knowledge the . terrible strain on the iron nerves gave way, and with a low " Thank \ Heaven !" the noble fellow sankinseni sible into the arms of his friends.