Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

The first settlers in Maine found, beside its red faced owners, other and abundant sources of annoyment and danger.
The majestic forests which then waved, where now is heard the hum of business, and where a thousand villages stand, were the homes of innumerable wild and savage animals.
Often at night was the farmer’s family aroused from sleep by the noise without, which told that bruin was storming the sheep-pen or the pig-sty, or was leaving violent paws on some unlucky calf-and often, on a cold winter evening, did they roll a larger log against the door, and with beating hearts draw closer around the fire as the dismal howl of the wolf echoed through the woods.
The wolf was the most ferocious, blood-thirsty, but cowardly, of all, rarely attacking man, unless driven by severe hunger, and seeking his victim with the utmost pertinacity.
The incident which I am about to relate occurred in the early history of Biddleford.
A man who lived on the farm now occupied by Mr. H-, was one autumn engaged in felling trees at some distance from his house. His little son eight years old, was in the habit, while his mother was busy with house-hold cares, of running out into the field and woods around the house, and often going where the father was at work. One day, after the frost had robbed the trees of their foliage, the father left his work sooner than usual, and started for home. Just at the edge of the forest he saw a curious pile of leaves-without stopping to think what had made it he cautiously removed the leaves, when what was his astonishment to find his own darling boy lying there sound asleep! Twas but the work of a moment to take up the little sleeper, put in his place a small log, carefully replaced the leaves and conceal himself among the nearest bushes, there to watch the result.
After waiting a short time he heard a wolf’s distant howl, quickly followed by another and another, till the woods seemed alive with the fearful sounds.
The howls came nearer, and in a few minutes a large gaunt, savage looking wolf leaped into the opening, closely followed by the whole pack. The leader sprang directly upon the pile of leaves and in an instant scattering them in every direction. Soon as he saw the deception, his look of fierceness and confidence changed to that of the most abject fear. He shrank back, cowered to the ground, and passively awaited his fate; for the rest enraged by the supposed cheat,fell upon him, tore him in pieces and devoured him on the spot.
When they had finished their comrade, they wheeled around, plunged into the forest and disappeared; within five minutes from his first appearance not a wolf was in sight. The excited father pressed his child to his bosom, and thanked the kind providence which led him there to save his dear boy.
The boy, after playing till he was weary, had lain down and fallen asleep, and in that situation the wolf had found him and covered him with leaves until he could bring his comrades to the feast; but himself furnished the repast.-Biddleford Journal.