,,the ,,iris4 ,illustration3 ,,presented ,to ,c4 ,schuessele del4 ,chromolith of ,p4 ,s4 ,duval ,ph4 ,illustration3 ,c4 ,schuessele del4 ,chromolith of ,p4 ,s4 ,duval ,ph4 ,,landing ,,of ,,william ,,penn4 ,illustration3 ,the ,,iris ,souvenir ,c4 ,schuessele del4 ,chromolith of ,p4 ,s4 ,duval ,ph4 ,,the ,,iris3 ,an ,illuminated ,souvenir1 ,,for ,,mdccclii4 ,,edited ,,by ,,john ,s4 ,,hart1 ,,ll4 ,d4 ,,philadelphia3 ,,published ,,by ,,lippincott1 ,,grambo ,,co4 ,,successors ,,to ,,grigg1 ,,elliot ,,co4 #aheb4 ,entered1 according to ,act of ,congress1 in the year #ahea1 ,,by ,,lippincott1 ,,grambo ,,co41 ,in the ,clerk's ,office of the ,district ,court for the ,eastern ,district of ,pennsylvania4 ,c4 ,,sherman1 ,,printer4 ,,preface4 ,captain ,eastman1 of the ,united ,states ,topographical ,corps1 having been stationed for nine years on our northwestern frontier1 among the ,indian tribes1 at and around ,fort ,snelling1 made a series of drawings of some of the most striking and remarkable objects connected with the ,indian traditions4 ,his accomplished lady1 who was with him seven years of this time1 collected the traditions themselves1 and wove them into tales and poems that let us into the very heart of ,indian life4 ,the whole of this valuable and original collection has been secured for the ,iris1 and gives to the volume for #aheb its distinguishing feature4 ,to make the illustrations conform more to the character of the subjects1 they have all been printed in colours1 in the style now so deservedly popular4 ,last year the publishers gave only four of these gorgeous illuminated pages4 ,the present volume contains no less than twelve1 all from original designs1 and all printed in ten different colours4 ,the happy blending of the colours in these pictures1 the disposition of the light and shade1 and the skill with which they are printed1 give them the appearance of paintings rather than of prints4 ,such a collection of gems of art in one volume1 could not be made without a heavy expense4 ,but the publishers were desirous of making the ,iris1 as to the splendour of its appearance1 not unworthy of the celestial visitant from which it has been named1 and of the very marked favour with which its predecessor of the last season was received4 ,the literary matter1 like that of the former volume1 is entirely original1 and with the exception of the beautiful poem by ,miss ,bremer1 entirely ,american1 both as to subjects and authorship4 ,though there are various shades of thought and feeling in these effusions of genius1 each subject being coloured according to the mental constitution of the writer1 yet1 as in the divine bow of promise1 all colours are blended and harmonized in the one aim to place before the beholder a new token of hope and gladness4 ,illustration3 ,,illustrations ,c4 ,schuessele del4 ,chromolith of ,p4 ,s4 ,duval ,ph4 ,,contents4 ,,subject4 ,,author4 ,,page ,,proem4 ,,sarah ,,roberts4 #ai ,,the ,,landing ,,of ,,william ,,penn4 ,,the ,,editor4 #ba ,,different ,,impressions4 ,,fredrika ,,bremer4 #bf ,,we-,,har-,,ka1 ,,or ,,the ,,rival ,,clans4 ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 #bi ,,the ,,laughing ,,waters4 ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 #fi ,o-,,ko-,,pee1 ,a ,,hunter ,,of ,,the ,,sioux4 ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 #gb ,,chequered ,,cloud1 ,,the ,,aged ,,sioux ,,woman4 ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 #hj ,,fire-,,face4 ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 #hd ,,death-,,song ,,of ,,an ,,indian ,,prisoner4 ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 #ia ,,the ,,false ,,alarm4 ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 #ie ,,indian ,,courtship4 ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 #aja ,,the ,,sacrifice4 ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 #ajd ,,an ,,indian ,,lullaby4 ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 #aac ,,sounding ,,wind1 ,,the ,,chippeway ,,brave4 ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 #aag ,,an ,,indian ,,ballad4 ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 #abd ,,old ,,john1 ,,the ,,medicine-,,man4 ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 #abg ,a ,,remonstrance4 ,,eliza ,l4 ,,sproat4 #acf ,a ,,fine ,,art ,,disregarded4 ,,elizabeth ,,wetherell4 #aci ,,mission ,,church ,,of ,,san ,,jos4 ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 #aea ,,hawking4 ,,edith ,,may4 #aee ,,hillside ,,cottage4 ,,mrs4 ,,julia ,c4 ,r4 ,,dorr4 #aef ,,sunset ,,on ,,the ,,delaware4 ,j4 ,i4 ,,pease4 #agg ,,faith1 ,,hope1 ,,and ,,charity4 ,s4 ,a4 ,h4 #agh ,,castle-,,building4 ,,james ,t4 ,,mitchell4 #ahj ,,the ,,lover',s ,,leap1 ,,or ,,wenona',s ,,rock4 ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 #ahe ,,the ,,indian ,,mother4 ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 #aia ,,the ,,wood ,,spirits ,,and ,,the ,,maiden4 ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 #aid ,,alice ,,hill4 ,,mrs4 ,m4 ,e4 ,w4 ,,alexander4 #aif ,,dr4 ,,vandorsen ,,and ,,the ,,young ,,widow4 ,,ann ,e4 ,,porter4 #bjf ,a ,,cenotaph4 ,a ,,ballad ,,of ,,nathan ,,hale4 ,,erastus ,w4 ,,ellsworth4 #bbe ,,the ,,dreamer4 ,,mary ,e4 ,,hewitt4 #bdd ,,white ,,moon ,,and ,,fiery ,,man4 ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 #bde ,,the ,,rain-,,drop4 ,,miss ,e4 ,w4 ,,barnes4 #bgf ,a ,,plea ,,for ,a ,,choice ,,picture4 ,,miss ,l4 ,s4 ,,hall4 #bgi ,,lost ,,and ,,won4 ,,caroline ,,eustis4 #bha ,,the ,,mistrusted ,,guide4 ,a ,,western ,,missionary4 #bhc ,a ,,night ,,in ,,nazareth4 ,,mary ,,young4 #bij ,,tears4 ,,charles ,d4 ,,gardette1 ,m4,d4 #bic ,,inconstancy4 ,e4 ,m4 #bie ,,crossing ,,the ,,tide4 ,,miss ,,ph,,be ,,carey4 #big ,,the ,,iris4 ,,proem4 ,,by ,,sarah ,,roberts4 ,they have christened me ,iris2 and why8 oh1 why8 ,because1 like the rainbow so bright1 ,i bring my own welcome1 and tell my own tale1 ,and am hailed by all hearts with delight3 ,and this1 this is why ,i am named for the beautiful bow in the sky4 ,the rainbow1 it cometh 'mid sunlight and tears1-- ,the tears it soon chaseth away2 ,i banish all sighs for the year that is passed1 ,and the future in sunlight array3 ,and this1 this is why ,i am named for the beautiful bow in the sky4 ,the rainbow1 it telleth of promise and love1 ,of hope1 with its gay1 golden wing2 ,it whispers of peacefulness1 purity1 heaven1-- ,of these lofty themes do ,i sing3 ,and this1 this is why ,i am named for the beautiful bow in the sky4 ,the rainbow is painted in colours most fair1 ,by the hand of the ,father of love2 ,so the genius and talent my pages bespeak1 ,are inspired by the ,great ,mind above3 ,and this1 this is why ,i am named for the beautiful bow in the sky4 ,,the ,,landing ,,of ,,william ,,penn4 ,,by ,,the ,,editor4 7,see the ,frontispiece47 ,the first landing of ,william ,penn at ,newcastle1 in #afhb1 is one of those striking historical events that are peculiarly suited for pictorial illustration4 ,the late ,mr4 ,duponceau1 in one of his discourses1 first suggested the idea of making it the subject of an historical painting4 ,this idea is seized with avidity by ,mr4 ,dixon1 the most recent biographer of the great ,quaker1 and the circumstances of the landing are given accordingly1 with much minuteness4 ,the artist who designed the picture that forms the frontispiece to the present volume has had this description in view4 ,i cannot do better1 therefore1 than to quote the words of ,mr4 ,dixon as the best possible commentary upon the picture4 ,on the #bgth of ,october1 nine weeks after the departure from ,deal1 the ,welcome moored off ,newcastle1 in the territories lately ceded by the ,duke of ,york1 and ,william ,penn first set foot in the ,new ,world4#a ,his landing made a general holiday in the town2 young and old1 ,welsh1 ,dutch1 ,english1 ,swedes1 and ,germans1 crowded down to the landing-place1 each eager to catch a glimpse of the great man who had come amongst them1 less as their lord and governor than as their friend4 ,in the centre of the foreground1 only distinguished from the few companions of his voyage who have yet landed1 by the nobleness of his mien1 and a light blue silken sash tied round his waist1 stands ,william ,penn2 erect in stature1 every motion indicating courtly grace1 his countenance lighted up with hope and honest pride1--in every limb and feature the expression of a serene and manly beauty4#b ,the young officer before him1 dressed in the gay costume of the ,english service1 is his lieutenant1 ,markham1 come to welcome his relative to the new land1 and to give an account of his own stewardship4 ,on the right stand the chief settlers of the district1 arrayed in their national costumes1 the light hair and quick eye of the ,swede finding a good foil in the stolid look of the heavy ,dutchman1 who doffs his cap1 but doubts whether he shall take the pipe out of his mouth even to say welcome to the new governor4 ,a little apart1 as if studying with the intense eagerness of ,indian skill the physiognomy of the ruler who has come with his children to occupy their hunting-grounds1 stands the wise and noble leader of the ,red ,men1 ,taminent1 and a party of the ,lenni ,lenap in their picturesque paints and costume4 ,behind the central figure are grouped the principal companions of his voyage2 and on the dancing waters of the ,delaware rides the stately ship1 while between her and the shore a multitude of light canoes dart to and fro1 bringing the passengers and merchandise to land4 ,part of the background shows an irregular line of streets and houses1 the latter with the pointed roofs and fantastic gables which still delight the artist's eye in the streets of ,leyden or ,rotterdam2 and further on the view is lost in one of those grand old pine and cedar forests which belong essentially to an ,american scene4 ,i take much pleasure in quoting also1 in this connexion1 another scene of somewhat similar character1 though greatly misrepresented in the ordinary pictures of it heretofore given4 ,penn's personal appearance has been even more misapprehended than his character4 ,he was1 indeed1 one of the most handsome men of his age1 and at the time of his first coming to ,america he was in the very prime of life4 ,west makes him an ugly1 fat old fellow1 in a costume half a century out of date4 ,so says ,mr4 ,dixon4 ,the passage referred to1 and about to be quoted1 is from a description of the celebrated ,treaty with the ,indians at ,shackamaxon4 ,this conference has become one of the most striking scenes in history4 ,artists have painted1 poets have sung1 philosophers have applauded it2 but it is nevertheless clear1 that in words and colours it has been equally and generally misrepresented1 because painters1 poets1 and historians have chosen to draw on their own imaginations for the features of a scene1 every marking line of which they might have recovered from authentic sources4 ,the great outlines of nature are easily obtained4 ,there1 the dense masses of cedar1 pine1 and chestnut1 stretching far away into the interior of the land2 here1 the noble river rolling its waters down to the ,atlantic ,ocean2 along its surface rose the purple smoke of the settlers' homestead2 on the opposite shores lay the fertile and settled country of ,new ,jersey4 ,here stood the gigantic elm which was to become immortal from that day forward1--and there lay the verdant council chamber formed by nature on the surface of the soil4 ,in the centre stood ,william ,penn1 in costume undistinguished from the surrounding group1 save by the silken sash4 ,his costume was simple1 but not pedantic or ungainly3 an outer coat1 reaching to the knees1 and covered with buttons1 a vest of other materials1 but equally ample1 trousers extremely full1 slashed at the sides1 and tied with strings or ribbons1 a profusion of shirt sleeves and ruffles1 with a hat of the cavalier shape 7wanting only the feather71 from beneath the brim of which escaped the curls of a new peruke1 were the chief and not ungraceful ingredients4#c ,at his right hand stood ,colonel ,markham1 who had met the ,indians in council more than once on that identical spot1 and was regarded by them as a firm and faithful friend2 on his left ,pearson1 the intrepid companion of his voyage2 and near his person1 but a little backward1 a band of his most attached adherents4 ,when the ,indians approached in their old forest costume1 their bright feathers sparkling in the sun1 and their bodies painted in the most gorgeous manner1 the governor received them with the easy dignity of one accustomed to mix with ,european courts4 ,as soon as the reception was over1 the sachems retired to a short distance1 and after a brief consultation among themselves1 ,taminent1 the chief sachem or king1 a man whose virtues are still remembered by the sons of the forest1 advanced again a few paces1 and put upon his own head a chaplet1 into which was twisted a small horn3 this chaplet was his symbol of power2 and in the customs of the ,lenni ,lenap1 whenever the chief placed it upon his brows the spot became at once sacred1 and the person of every one present inviolable4 ,the venerable ,indian king then seated himself on the ground1 with the older sachems on his right and left1 the middle-aged warriors ranged themselves in the form of a crescent or half-moon round them1 and the younger men formed a third and outer semicircle4 ,all being seated in this striking and picturesque order1 the old monarch announced to the governor that the natives were prepared to hear and consider his words4 ,penn then rose to address them1 his countenance beaming with all the pride of manhood4 ,he was at this time thirty-eight years old2 light and graceful in form2 the handsomest1 best-looking1 most lively gentleman she had ever seen1 wrote a lady who was an eyewitness of the ceremony4 ,footnote #a3 ,watson1 #af2 ,day1 #bii4 ,the landing of ,penn in ,america is commemorated on the #bdth of ,october1 that being the date given by ,clarkson2 but the diligent antiquary1 ,mr4 ,j4 ,f4 ,watson1 has found in the records of ,newcastle the original entry of his arrival4 ,footnote #b3 ,the portrait by ,west is utterly spurious and unlike4 ,granville ,penn1 ,,mss4 ,footnote #c3 ,penn4 ,hist4 ,soc4 ,mem41 iii4 part ii4 #gf4 ,,different ,,impressions4 ,,by ,,fredrika ,,bremer4 ,i was in company ,with men and women1 ,and heard small talk ,of little things1 ,of poor pursuits ,and narrow views ,of narrow minds4 ,i rushed out ,to breathe more freely1 ,to look on nature4 ,the evening star ,rose grave and bright1 ,the western sky ,was warm with light1 ,and the young moon ,shone softly down ,among the shadows ,of the town1 ,where whispering trees ,and fragrant flowers ,stood hushed in silent1 ,balmy bowers4 ,all was romance1 ,all loveliness1 ,wrapped in a trance ,of mystic bliss4 ,i looked on ,in bitterness1 ,and sighed and asked1 ,why the great ,lord ,made so rich beauty ,for such a race ,of little men8 ,i was in company ,with men and women1 ,heard noble talk ,of noble things1 ,of noble doings1 ,and manly suffering ,and man's heart beating ,for all mankind4 ,the evening star ,seemed now less bright1 ,the western sky ,of paler light1 ,all nature's beauty ,and romance1 ,so lovely ,to gaze upon1 ,retired at once1 ,a shadow but to that of man6 ,illustration3 ,c4 ,schuessele del4 ,drawn by ,capt4 ,s4 ,eastman4 ,chromolith of ,p4 ,s4 ,duval ,ph4 ,,we-,,har-,,ka4 ,,we-,,har-,,ka1 ,,or1 ,,the ,,rival ,,clans4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 ,the ,indian settlement1 the opening scene of our story1 presented a different appearance from what we call an ,indian village at the present day4 ,the lodges were far more numerous1 and the ,indians were not drooping about1 without energy1 and apparently without occupation4 ,the long line of hills did not echo the revels of the drunkard1 nor were the faces of the people marked with anxiety and care4 ,the untaught and untamed dispositions of the red men were as yet unaffected by the evil influences of the degenerate white man4 ,the ,sioux#d were in their summer-houses1 and the village stretched along the bank of the river for a quarter of a mile4 ,it reached back1 too1 to the foot of a high hill1 and some of the lodges were shaded by the overhanging branches of the elm and maple4 ,above the homes of the living might be seen the burial-place of the dead2 for1 on the summit of the hill the enveloped forms of the departed were receiving the last red beams of the retiring sun1 whose rising and repose were now for ever unnoticed by them4 ,the long1 warm day was closing in1 and the ,indians were enjoying themselves in the cool breezes that were stirring the waves of the river and the wild flowers that swept over its banks4 ,they were collected in groups in every direction1 but the largest party might be found surrounding a mat1 on which was seated the old war-chief of the band1 who had long dragged a tedious existence1 a care to others and a burden to himself4 ,the mat was placed near the wigwam1 so that the sides of the wigwam supported the back of the aged and infirm warrior4 ,his hair was cut straight over his forehead1 but behind it hung in long locks over his neck4 ,warm as was the season1 the buffalo robe was wrapped around him1 the fur side next to him1 while on the outside1 in ,indian hieroglyphics1 might be read many an event of his life4 ,around the edge of the robe was a row of hands painted in different colours1 representing the number of enemies he had killed in battle4 ,in the centre of the robe were drawn the sun and morning star1 objects of worship among the ,sioux1 and placed on the robe as a remedy for a severe sickness which once prostrated his vital powers1 but was conquered by the efficacious charm contained in the representation4 ,ornaments of different kinds adorned his person2 but his limbs were shrunken to the bone with age1 and the time had long since come to him when even the grasshopper was a burden4 ,the features of the ,sioux were still expressive1 though the eyes were closed and the lips thin and compressed2 he was encircled with a dignity1 which1 in all ages and climes1 attaches itself to an honourable old age4 ,close by his side1 and contrasting strongly with the war-chief1 was one of his nearest relations4 ,she was his granddaughter1 the orphan girl of his favourite son4 ,she was at once his companion1 attendant1 and idol4 ,they were never separated1 that old man and young girl2 for a long time he had been fed by her hands1 and now he never saw the light of the sun he worshipped except when she raised and held open the eyelids which weakness had closed over his eyes4 ,she had just assisted his tottering steps1 and seated him on the mat1 where he might enjoy the pleasant evening-time and the society of those who delighted in the strange stories his memory called up1 or who were willing to receive the advice which the aged are ever privileged to pour into the hearts of the young4 ,the evening meal of the warrior had been a light one1 for ,we-har-ka still held in her small and beautiful hand a bark dish1 which contained venison cut up in small pieces1 occasionally pressing him to eat again4 ,it was evident there was something unusual agitating his thoughts1 for he impatiently put aside the hand that fed him1 and taking his pipe1 the handle of which was elaborately adorned1 he held it to have it lighted1 then dreamily and quietly placed it in his mouth4 ,he had long been an object of reverence to his people2 though superseded as a warrior and a leader1 yet his influence was still acknowledged in the band which he had so long controlled4 ,he had kept this alive in a great measure by the oft-repeated stories of his achievements1 and above all1 by the many personal encounters he had had1 not only with his enemies1 but with the gods1 the objects of their devotion and fear4 ,the pipe was soon laid aside1 and his low and murmuring words could not be understood by the group1 that1 attracted by the unusual excitement that showed itself in the war-chief's manner1 had pressed near him4 ,after a short communing with himself he placed his hand upon the head of the girl1 who was watching every change in his expressive face4 ,my daughter1 he said1 you will not be alone--the ,eagle ,eye will not again see the form of his warrior son3 he would have charged him to care for his sister1 even as the small birds watch and guard around the home of the forest god4 ,the children of the ,great ,spirit must submit to his will4 ,my heart would laugh could ,i again see the tall form of my grandson4 ,i would see once more the fleetness of his step and the strength of his arm2 but it is not to be4 ,before he shall return1 crying1 ',it is for my father1 the scalp of his enemy1' ,i shall be roaming over the hunting-grounds of the ,great ,spirit4 ,do not weep1 my daughter2 you will be happy in your husband's wigwam1 and you will tell your children how the ,eagle ,eye loved you1 even till his feet started on the warrior's journey4 ,your brother will return1 he continued1 and it is for him that ,i lay aside the pipe1 which ,i shall never smoke again2 the drum that ,i have used since ,i have been a medicine-man1 ,i wish laid near my side when ,i shall be dead1 and wrapped in the buffalo robe which will cover me4 ,you1 my braves1 shall know whence ,i obtained this drum4 ,it has often brought back life to the dying man1 and its sound has secured us success in battle4 ,i have often told you that ,i had seen the ,god of the ,great ,deep in my dreams1 and from him ,i obtained power to strike terror to the hearts of my enemies4 ,who has shouted the death-cry oftener than ,i8 ,look at the feathers#e of honour in my head6 ,what enemy ever heard the name of ,eagle ,eye without trembling8 ,but ,i1 terrible as ,i have been to my enemies1 must grow weak like a woman1 and die like a child4 ,the waters of the rivers rush on2 you may hear them and trace their way1 but soon they join the waves of the great deep1 and we see them no more--so ,i am about to join the company in the house of the ,great ,spirit1 and when your children say1 ',where is ,eagle ,eye8' you may answer1 ',the ,great ,spirit has called him1 we cannot go where he is4' ,it was from ,unk-ta-he1 the god of the great deep1 that ,i received that drum4 ,before ,i was born of woman ,i lived in the dark waters4 ,unk-ta-he rose up with his terrible eyes1 and took me to his home4 ,i lived with him and the other gods of the sea4 ,i cannot to you all repeat the lessons of wisdom he has taught me2 it is a part of the great medicine words that women should never hear4 ,there1 in the home of the god of the sea1 ,i saw many wonders--the large doors through which the water gods passed when they visited the earth1 the giant trees lying in the water higher than our mountains4 ,they had lightning too1 the weapons of the thunder birds2#f when the winds arose1 and the sea waved1 then did ,unk-ta-he hurl the streaked fire to the earth through the waters4 ,the god of the great deep gave me this drum1 and ,i wish it buried with me2 he told me when ,i struck the drum my will should be obeyed1 and it has been so4 ,when my son returns1 tell him to let his name be terrible like his grandfather's4 ,tell him that my arm was like a child's because of the winters ,i had seen1 but that he must revenge his brother's death2 then will he be like the brave men who have gone before him1 and his deeds will be remembered as long as the ,dacotas hate their enemies4 ,the shadows grow deeper on the hills1 and the long night will soon rest upon the head of the war-chief4 ,i am old1 yet my death-song shall call back the spirits of the dead4 ,where are the ,chippeways1 my enemies8 ,see their red scalps scorching in the sun6 ,i am a great warrior2 tell me1 where is the enemy who fears me not6 ,while the voice of the old man now rose with the excitement that was influencing1 now fell with the exhaustion1 which brought big drops of perspiration on his face1 the ,indians were collecting in a crowd around him4 ,it was1 indeed1 a glorious evening for the war-chief to die4 ,the horizon was a mass of crimson clouds1 their gorgeous tints were reflected on the river2 the rocky bluffs rose up like castle walls around the village1 while on the opposite shore the deer were parting the foliage with their graceful heads and drinking from the low banks4 ,we-har-ka wiped the forehead and brow of her grandfather4 ,there was something of more than ordinary interest about the appearance of this young person3 her features were regularly formed1 their expression mild2 her figure light and yielding as a young tree2 her hair was neatly parted and gathered in small braids over her neck2 her dress well calculated to display the grace of her figure2 a heavy necklace of wampum#g covered her throat and neck1 and on her bosom was suspended the holy cross6 ,her complexion was lighter than usual for an ,indian girl1 owing to the confinement occasioned by the charge of her infirm relative2 a subdued melancholy pervaded her features1 and even the tone of her voice4 ,there was a pause1 for the warrior slept a few moments1 and again his voice was heard4 ,death was making him mindful of the glorious achievements of his life4 ,again he was brandishing his tomahawk in circles round the head of his fallen foe2 again he taunted his prisoner1 whose life he had spared that he might enjoy his sufferings under the torment2 again1 with a voice as strong as in early manhood1 he shouted the death-cry--it was his own1 for not another sound1 not even a sigh escaped him4 99 99 99 99 99 ,gently they moved him into the wigwam4 ,we-har-ka stood by his head4 ,there was no loud wailing1 for he had outlived almost all who were bound to him by near ties4 ,those who stood around heaped their most cherished possessions on his feet3 the knife1 the pipe1 and the robe were freely and affectionately offered to the dead4 ,we-har-ka gazed earnestly upon him3 large tears fell on her bosom and on the old man's brow4 ,some one drew near and respectfully covered his venerable face3 the drum was placed1 as he requested1 at his side4 ,one of the men said1 ,eagle ,eye takes proud steps as he travels towards the land of souls4 ,his heart has long been where warriors chase the buffalo on the prairies of the ,great ,spirit4 ,we-har-ka drew from her belt her knife1 and cut long1 deep gashes on her round arms2 then1 not heeding the wounds1#h she severed the braids of her glossy hair1 and cutting them off with the knife1 red with her own blood1 she threw them at her feet4 ,how did the holy cross find its way to the wilds of a new country8 ,a savage1 yet powerful nation1 idolaters at heart and in practice1 bending to the sun1 the forests1 and the sea--how was it that the sign of the disciple of ,jesus lay glittering on the bosom of one of the women of this heathen race8 ,did the ,christian hymn of praise ever rise with the soft and silvery vapours of morning to the heavens8 ,had the low and earnest ,christian's prayer ever sounded among the bluffs that towered and the islands that slept8 ,never1 and yet the emblem of their faith was there4 ,but1 to what region did not the ,jesuit penetrate8 ,hardly were the resources of our country discovered1 before they were upon its shores4 ,they were there1 with their promises and penances1 their soft words and their ,latin prayers1 with purposes not to be subdued in accomplishing the mission for which they were sent4 ,was it a mission of faith1 or of gain8 ,was it to extend the hopes and triumphs of the cross1 or to aggrandize a ,society always overflowing with means and with power8 ,witness the result4 ,yet they poured like rain into the rich and beautiful country of ,acadie4#i ,see them passing through forests where the dark trees bent to and fro like giants possessing fearful secrets1 enduring hunger1 privation1 and fatigue4 ,see them again in their frail barks bounding over the angry waters of ,huron1 riding upon its mountain waves1 and often cast upon its inhospitable rocks4 ,follow them as they tread the paths where the moccasin-step alone had ever been heard1 regardless of danger and of death1 planting the cross even in the midst of a ,dacota village4 ,could this be for aught save the love of the ,saviour8 ,those who know the history of the ,society founded by ,loyola1 best can tell4 ,among the ranks of the ,jesuit were found the ,christian and the martyr1 as1 among the priesthood of ,rome1 in her darkest days1 were here and there those whose robes have1 no doubt1 been washed in the blood of the ,lamb4 ,those hearts that were really touched with the truth divine1 drew nearer to the path of duty by the solemn spectacle of man1 standing on the earth1 gay and beautiful as if light had just been created1 yet not even knowing of the existence of his great ,creator4 ,not far from the wigwam of the dead chief1 ,father ,blanc knelt before the altar which he had erected4 ,he wore the black robe of his order1 and as he knelt1 the strange words he uttered sounded stranger still here4 ,on the altar were the crucifix and many of the usual ornaments carried by the wandering ,romish priests4 ,flowers too were strewn on the altar1 flowers large and beautiful1 such as he had never seen even in la belle ,france4 ,he chaunted the vespers alone1 and had but just risen from his devotions when the dying cry of the war-chief rung through the village4 ,the priest walked slowly to the scene of death4 ,why was he not there before with the cross and the holy oil8 ,ah6 the war-chief was no subject for the ,jesuit faith--he had worshipped too long ,wakinyan-,unk-ta-he to listen to the words of the black robe4 ,there were no baptisms1 no chauntings of the mass here2 there was no interest at stake to induce the haughty ,sioux to the necessity of yielding up his household gods4 ,they were not a weaker party warring with the ,french1 and obliged from motives of policy to taste the consecrated wafer4 ,contrasted with the ,indian's ignorance was his native dignity4 ,when ,father ,blanc told them there was but one religion and that was the ,roman ,catholic1 and that the time would come when all would be subject to the man who was in ,god's place upon the earth1 who lived at ,rome1 then would the ,sioux laugh1 and say1 ,as long as the sun shines1 the ,dacotas will keep the medicine feast4 ,in vain were the pictured prayer-book and the holy relics exhibited4 ,what were they to the tracks of ,haokah the giant1 or the gods' house1 under the hill which reared itself even to the clouds1 under which the gods rested themselves from their battles4 ,the priest wept when he thought of the useless sacrifice he had made3 he could not even gain the love of the strange beings for whose sake he had endured so much4 ,they were not like the ,abnakis1 those men of the east1 who so loved and obeyed the fathers who sojourned among them4 ,and the useless life he was leading1 how long might it last8 ,restrained1 as the ,sioux were1 only by the laws of hospitality and the promise they had made to the ,indians who conducted him hither1 how soon might these influences cease to affect them8 ,we-har-ka alone spoke gently and kindly to him4 ,she knew that his heart1 like hers1 vibrated beneath a load of care2 she found too a strange interest in his stories1--the woman's love of the marvellous was roused2 the miracles of the saints delighted her as did the feats of the gods4 ,but only so far was she a ,christian2 though she wore a gift from the ,jesuit1 the consecrated sign4 ,perhaps in the after accounts of his converts she was reckoned among them4 ,we are told by one of the ,jesuit fathers of the true conversion and ,christian death of a ,canada ,indian4 ,while ,i related to him1 said he1 the scene of the crucifixion1 ',oh6 that ,i had been there1' exclaimed the ,indian1 ',i would have brought away the scalps of those ,jews4' ,the war-chief was arrayed in his choicest clothing2 and1 but for the silence in the wigwam1 and the desolate appearance of the young person who was alone with her dead1 one would have supposed that he slept as usual4 ,the charms were still to be left about his person for protection4 ,the body was wrapped in skins3 they were as yet laid but loosely about him1 ready for their final arrangement1 when1 with the face towards the rising sun1 the warrior should be laid upon the scaffolding1 to enjoy undisturbed repose4 ,but a few hours had elapsed since he sat and talked among them2 but now each of the group had returned to his usual occupation4 ,even his daughter sat with her face drooping over her hands1 forgetting for the moment her grief at his loss1 and endeavouring to anticipate her own fate4 ,the twilight had not yet given way to night1 but the sudden death that had occurred had hushed all their usual noisy amusements4 ,nothing was heard but the subdued voices of the warriors as they dwelt on the exploits of ,eagle ,eye1 or speculated on the employments that engaged him1 now that their tie with him was sundered4 ,sometimes the subject was changed for another of more exciting interest4 ,a party that had gone in search of the ,chippeways1#aj who had been hovering near their village1 was expected to return1 and there was some little anxiety occasioned by their prolonged stay4 ,among the most noted of the party was the brother of ,we-har-ka and a young brave called the ,beaver4 ,these two young men1 aspirants for glory and the preference which1 among the ,indians1 is awarded to bravery1 cunning1 and the virtues1 so considered among them1 belonged to different clans4 ,the rivalry and hatred between these clans raged high1 more so at this time than for some years previous4 ,the ,indian lives only for revenge2 he has neither arts nor learning to occupy his mind1 and his religion encourages rather than condemns this passion4 ,the daring showed by the ,chippeways had only stimulated them to greater acts of bravery2 they were determined that the tree of peace1 now torn up by the roots1 should never be planted again on the boundaries of the two countries4 ,we-har-ka had arisen from her recumbent attitude1 and stood by the side of her dead relative4 ,she had not time to reflect on the loneliness of her position4 ,she had only laid her hand on the cold forehead where ,death had so recently set his seal1 when the well-known triumphant voice of her brother echoed through the village4 ,hardly had she turned towards the door when another yell of triumph1 sounding even louder than the first1 was heard4 ,she knew that voice too1 for the colour mounted to her cheeks1 and her breath came short and quickly4 ,a chorus of yells now rent the air1 answered by the ,indians who had joyfully started up to meet the party4 ,how every eye shone with delight1 every feature working with convulsive excitement2 all the fierce passions of their nature were aroused4 ,those prolonged and triumphant shouts had prepared them for what was to come4 ,already they longed to see the blood-dyed scalps1 and1 it might be1 the face of some prisoner in whose sufferings they were to revel4 ,the figures of the successful war-party soon made themselves visible in the moonlight4 ,one by one they turned the winding trail that led to the village4 ,over their heads they bore the fresh scalps2 and as they came in view1 a piercing universal shout arose from all4 ,the eagerness of the women induced them to press forward1 and when it was impossible to gain a view1 from the great crowd in advance1 they ascended the nearest rock1 where they could distinctly see the approaching procession4 ,after the scalps and their bearers were recognised1 another deafening shout arose4 ,the prisoners were descried as they neared3 it was seen there were two men and a woman4 ,the arms of the men were pinioned back between their shoulders4 ,nearer still they come1 but the shouting is over3 intense curiosity and anxiety have succeeded this eager delight4 ,the prisoners and scalps were their enemies1 but over every heart the question passed1 ,have they all returned8 ,has each husband been restored to his family1 each child to the parent8 ,but not long did these softer feelings influence the conduct of the ,sioux4 ,they had now nearly met1 and the war-party1 with the prisoners1 had reached the outskirts of the village4 ,here the confusion had returned and attained its greatest height2 welcomes had been said1 and the crowd pressed around the scalps to feast their eyes on the precious sight4 ,there were but four1 and they had been taken in the hurry of flight3 they were round pieces1 torn from the top of the head1 and from one of them fell the long1 glossy hair of a woman4 ,there was nothing in the carriage of the prisoners to denote their condition1 their attitude and demeanour proclaiming the conqueror instead of the conquered--the haughty determination of their looks1 the bold freedom of their steps1 their gait as erect as possible1 with their hands bound behind them4 ,even the insolence of their language1 in reply to the taunts of their victors1 showed they were prepared for what was inevitable4 ,the calm1 pale face of the young ,chippeway girl showed that she had determined to brave the blood-loving ,sioux1 and let them see that a woman could meet death as well as a warrior4 ,the procession stopped1 and one of the ,sioux women called for her husband4 ,where is he1 warriors8 give me back my husband4 ,you will not weep1 said one of the men2 here is the ,chippeway who killed him1 pointing to the younger of the male prisoners4 ,you may stone him1 and then you may sing while the fire is burning under his feet4 ,a loud laugh of defiance was heard from the prisoner4 ,the ,sioux are dogs1 he said2 let them hurry2 ,i am in haste to go to the land of souls4 ,the words were not uttered ere a dozen spears pricked his body4 ,there was no cry of pain2 he only laughed at the anger he had excited4 ,the attention of the ,indians was now withdrawn from their prisoners1 for ,we-har-ka was rapidly walking towards them4 ,even the arrangement of her dress was distinctly visible as she approached them3 her long and glossy hair disarranged purposely1 to mark the intensity of her grief2 the blood was still trickling from her arms2 her pale face looking even paler than it was1 by the moonlight and its broad shadows4 ,she was hastening to meet her brother1 yet she did not offer him one congratulation on his safe return4 ,my brother1 she cried1 your grandfather is dead4 ,he lies cold and still1 as the large buffalo when he has ceased to struggle with our hunters4 ,go to his lodge and tell him of your prisoners1 and your scalps4 ,for me1 ,i will go myself to shed tears4 ,i will follow the fresh tracks of the deer1 and by the wakeen-stone1#aa in the prairie1 ,i will sit and weep where no eye can see me but the ,great ,spirit's4 ,while the moon walks through the sky1 the spirits shall hear my voice4 ,she was listened to in silence1 for the ,indians always showed respect to ,we-har-ka2 her being constantly with the war-chief had made them look upon her almost with reverence1 as if she might have obtained from him some supernatural power4 ,the ,sioux listen to the words of a woman1 said the old prisoner1 as ,we-har-ka turned towards the prairie4 ,why do they not make her a war-chief1 and let her take them to battle8 ,we will1 answered her brother1 when we go again to bring home old men4 ,i would not have been troubled with your old carrion1 but ,i thought to let my father return the kind treatment you once gave him2 and ,i would kill you now1 but that ,i would rather the women would do it4 ,the ,sioux are brave when their prisoners are bound1 again taunted the prisoner2 let them do their will3 the ,chippeway fears neither fire nor death4 ,the rage of the ,sioux was unbounded2 the cold unconcern of their prisoner almost destroyed the pleasure of victory4 ,the women clamorously demanded that he might be delivered over to them4 ,they seized him1 and moved forward to a large tree1 whose massive trunk indicated its strength4 ,here they bound him with strong sinews and pieces of skin4 ,his hands were tied in front1 and a strong cord was passed about his waist1 and with it he was fastened to the tree4 ,this was all the work of the women1 and they evinced by their expedition and hideous laughs the pleasure they found in their employment4 ,the ,sioux then went to see the body of their venerated chief2 on their return they found their victim firmly secured to the tree4 ,the son was bound at some little distance from the father1 while the daughter was sitting1 hiding her face between her hands1 weeping for her father's situation4 ,pride had all gone1 only affection occupied her heart4 ,the old ,chippeway was convinced now of his immediate sufferings2 he had been tranquil and unmoved until the return of the warriors4 ,suddenly he shouted1 in a loud voice1 the wild notes of his death-song4 ,there was no failing in his voice2 even his daughter turned towards him with satisfaction as he extolled his life1 and expressed pleasure at the prospect of seeing the hunting-grounds of the ,great ,spirit4 ,as he ceased1 ,chash told him he must rest from his journey ere he commenced his long way to the land of souls4 ,a great many winters ago1 said the young ,sioux1 my father was in your country2 you took him prisoner1 you bound him1 and you told him what a good warm fire he was to have to die by4 ,you said you loved him too well to let him be cold2 but while you were binding him he was too strong for you4 ,unk-ta-he had made him brave2 he bounded from your grasp in sight of your warriors4 ,he flew2 your bravest men chased him in vain4 ,he came home and lived to an age greater than yours4 ,the old war-chief is gone1 or he would tell you how welcome you are to his village4 ,he was always hospitable and loved to treat brave men well4 ,but we must eat first1 or we cannot enjoy ourselves while you are so comfortable with your old limbs burning4 ,expressions of approbation followed this speech on the part of the ,sioux1 but there was no notice taken of it by the ,chippeway1 who was now occupied in contemplating his daughter4 ,he had before seemed to be unconscious of her presence4 ,no bodily torture could equal the pang of the father1 who saw the utterly helpless and unhappy situation of his child4 ,his own fate was fixed--that caused him no uneasiness4 ,there was even a feeling of enthusiasm in the prospect of showing his enemies how slight was their power over him2 how little he cared for any tortures they might inflict4 ,but his young daughter1 who would have been safe now among her own people1 but for her affection for him1 which induced her to remain by his side1 refusing the opportunity of escape4 ,the ,sioux saw his concern and rejoiced that this pang was added to the torture3 not only his own fate to bear1 but the consciousness that he had caused the destruction of both his children4 ,his son was surrounded while endeavouring to protect his father4 ,thus will nature assert her right in the hearts of all her children2 but the ,chippeway closed his eyes to all1 save the effort of appearing indifferent to his sufferings4 ,again he sung his death-song1 while the ,sioux stretched themselves upon the grass1 eating the tender venison which had been prepared for them1 occasionally offering some to the ,chippeway1 advising him to eat and be strong1 that he might bravely walk on his journey to the land of souls4 ,while the ,dacotas were eating and resting themselves1 the ,chippeway chaunted his death-song2 his son1 apparently1 was unmoved by his own and his father's desperate situation1 but the daughter no longer endeavoured to restrain her grief4 ,exhausted from fatigue and fasting1 she would gladly have known her own fate1 even if death were to be her mode of release from her distressing position4 ,the ,indians frequently offered her food4 ,chash tried to persuade her to eat3 she indignantly rejected the attention1 her whole soul absorbed in her father's painful situation4 ,she saw there was no hope3 even had she not understood their language1 she could have read all in the fierce glaring eyes of her enemies1 the impatient gestures of the men1 and the eager1 energetic movements of the women4 ,the latter were not idle3 they were making arrangements for the burning of the prisoner4 ,under his feet they piled small round pieces of wood1 with brush conveniently placed1 so as to kindle it at a moment's warning when all should be ready4 ,to their frequent taunts their victim paid no attention3 this only increased their anxiety to hasten his sufferings1 young and old uniting their strength4 ,one woman struck him with the wood she was about to lay at his feet1 another pierced him with the large thorn she had taken from the branch she held2 but the loudest cries of merriment and applause greeted the appearance of an old creature1 almost bowed together with the weight of a load she was carrying1 large pieces of fat and skin1 which she was to throw in the blaze at different times when it should be kindled4 ,the glare of day could not have made more perceptible the horrid faces of the savages than did the brilliant moonlight4 ,every sound that was uttered was more distinct1 from the intense quiet that pervaded all nature4 ,the face of the victim1 now turned to the sky1 now bent in scorn over his enemies2 that of his son1 pale1 proud1 and indifferent2 the unrestrained grief of the girl1 who only raised her head to gaze at her father1 then trembling1 with sobs1 hid it deeper in her bosom2 the malignant triumph of the ,sioux men1 the excitement and delight of the women2--all these were distinctly visible in the glowing brightness of the night4 ,was there no hope for the aged and weary old man8 no chance that these stern1 revengeful spirits might relent8 ,will not woman1 with her kind heart and gentle voice1 ask that his life may be spared8 ,alas6 it is woman's work that we are witnessing3 they bound his limbs1 they have beaten him1 and even now are they disputing for the privilege of lighting the fire which is to consume him4 ,loud cries arise1 but the contention is soon quelled1 for the deep bass voice of the medicine-man is heard above theirs1 and he says that the newly made widow1 and she alone1 shall start the blaze1 and then all may join in adding fuel to the fire1 and insult to the present disgrace of the ,chippeway warrior4 ,and now the brush is piled round the wood and touches the victim's feet1 and the men lie still on the grass1 knowing their work will be well done1 and the women who are crowded together make a way for the widow to advance4 ,see her6 the tears are on her cheek1 yet there is a smile of exultation too--the blood is streaming from her bosom and her arms4 ,with her left hand she leads her young son forward4 ,in her right she holds a large and flaming torch of pine4 ,the red light of the burning wood contrasts strangely with the white light of the moon2 the black smoke rises and is lost in the fleecy clouds that are flying through the air4 ,the silence is broken only by the heart-breaking sobs of the ,chippeway girl4 ,the ,sioux woman kneels1 and carefully holds the torch under the brush and kindling-wood4 ,she withdraws her hand1 and soon there is something beside sobs breaking the stillness4 ,the dry branches snap1 and the women shout and laugh as they hear the crackling sound4 ,the men join in a derisive laugh2 but above all is heard the loud1 full voice of the victim4 ,his death-chaunt drowns all other sounds1 yet there is not a tone of pain or impatience in the voice2 it is solemn and dignified2 there is even a note of rapture as he shouts defiance to his enemies and their cruelty4 ,the dry twigs snap apart1 and the smoke curls around the limbs of the prisoner3 now the bright red flames embrace his form4 ,the warrior is still2 he is collecting his energies and challenging his powers of endurance4 ,chash stood up4 ,my father1 said he1 fled from the fire of the ,chippeways2 but you like the fire of the ,dacotas1 for you stand still4 ,the ,sioux are great warriors1 replied the ,chippeway1 when they fight old men and children1 looking at the same time towards his daughter4 ,but1 is he an old man or a girl8 asked ,chash1 pointing to the younger ,chippeway4 ,he is a great warrior1 said the father1 but he was one against many4 ,he could not see his father and sister scalped before his eyes4 ,had he fought man to man he would have showed you the sharp edge of his tomahawk2 but he is a ,chippeway1 and knows how to suffer and to die4 ,the noise of the fire drowned the old man's words1 for the women were amusing themselves by throwing on small pieces of dry wood and portions of deer-fat1 which1 crackling as it burned1 rapidly consumed the body of the unfortunate man4 ,no suffering had1 as yet1 forced from him any cry of pain2 it was evident that nature would soon relieve him of his agony4 ,his heart had nigh ceased beating its funeral march4 ,even he1 an untutored savage1 felt that ,dust thou art1 to dust returnest1 ,was not spoken of the soul4 ,his fortitude to endure was increased by the thought that soon the brilliant but mysterious future would be opened to him4 ,the ,sioux were disappointed at his courage1 and longed to have their gratification completed by some acknowledgment of his agony4 ,an old and fierce-looking woman drew her knife from her belt1 and springing upon the high roots of the tree1 cut a deep gash between the shoulders of the prisoner1 then stooping1 she raised in her hand a flaming torch1 which she applied to the fresh wound she had just made4 ,this agony was unendurable3 a deathlike struggle convulsed the heroic countenance of the sufferer2 he uttered a sharp and piercing cry2 then1 as if apologizing for his want of firmness1 exclaimed1 ,fire is strong6 ,this sufficed for his enemies1 and shouts of joy echoed through the village1 while the agonized daughter1 unable longer to endure the dreadful sight1 sunk insensible on the grass at her brother's feet4 ,it was not long ere another shout announced the relief of the ,chippeway4 ,the sweet hours of night had passed away while they watched his noble firmness1 and awaited his last breath4 ,during the last hour1 long1 low1 black clouds had been deepening in the far west2 now and then a distant murmur was heard1 and faint flashes gleamed athwart the water4 ,a slight murmuring of the waves witnessed the rising of the wind1 and the ,sioux separated to take a rest1 which they all needed4 ,seeing that their other prisoner was securely bound1 they left him to face the storm and the hideous spectacle of his father's remains4 ,chash raised the lifeless form of the girl and carried her to his sister's wigwam4 ,we-har-ka had taken no interest in the scene that had been enacting2 she slept soundly1 fatigued with her wanderings on the prairie and the indulgence of her grief4 ,chash laid his unconscious burden by the side of his sister4 ,enemies as they were1 the looker-on might observe a strong bond of sympathy between them4 ,their young faces were shadowed by grief1--that link which should unite1 heart to heart1 every child of earth4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the low sigh with which the ,chippeway girl awoke from her deathlike trance1 did not awaken ,we-har-ka4 ,starting up1 she in a moment recalled the sad tragedy which had just been enacted before her eyes1 yet she could not account for her being where she was4 ,the wigwam was dark1 except when illuminated by vivid flashes of lightning1 which showed her the few articles of furniture and comfort that adorned an ,indian woman's home4 ,the occasional pealing of the thunder1 and ,we-har-ka's breathing1 were the only sounds she heard4 ,a thousand painful thoughts drove slumber from her eyelids4 ,her father she knew was gone3 she pressed her hand before her eyes to recall1 and then to chase away1 the dreadful memory that tortured her4 ,she was spared2 it might be for a slave1 or to be the wife of some one of her enemies4 ,her brother1 she had no doubt1 was still living3 he had been reserved for protracted tortures4 ,overcome by these thoughts she sank again upon the ground1 but not to sleep4 ,could nothing be suggested to give her comfort8 ,she cautiously raised the door of the wigwam1 and by the red lightning she saw her brother bound as she had left him4 ,despair had nearly overpowered her once more1 but the natural energy of her mind returning1 she looked again to her own heart1 to see if there was any hope4 ,should she never see again the home so dear to her6 ,were she and her bold brother to die by the hands of her father's murderers6 ,oh6 that she possessed a sharp knife1 to sever the thongs that bound him1 how soon would they flee away as the birds do when winter's winds are heard from the north6 ,the idea once prominent in her mind1 there was hope4 ,another flash showed her the most minute objects in the wigwam4 ,another directed her to the knife of ,we-har-ka1 which lay glittering by her breast4 ,a few moments of intense thought decided her3 nerved by a sense of her own and her brother's danger1 she no longer hesitated4 ,what horrors could be greater than those by which she was surrounded6 ,what if she were detected and murdered at once6 ,far better than to witness her brother's fate1 and endure her own4 ,she placed herself near ,we-har-ka1 then gently endeavoured to remove the knife she coveted4 ,the young heart throbbed against her hand4 ,again she endeavoured to slide the knife from its place4 ,we-har-ka turned upon her side as if disturbed4 ,after a few moments had elapsed she once more made the effort2 and now1 as it is clasped in her hand1 her senses have well-nigh left her1 for this time she is successful4 ,but1 well she knew there was no time for delay1 nor even for consideration4 ,the deepest darkness of night was now upon them2 before long the morning twilight would be again resting over the earth4 ,the perfect and unusual repose of the ,sioux was in her favour2 and1 excited even to desperation1 she determined to endeavour to free her brother1 and secure his and her own escape4 ,she first endeavoured to recall the situation of the principal objects in the village4 ,she did not1 however1 require any effort of memory1 for she could see distinctly where her brother was bound1 and the path that led to this point4 ,the storm's spirits were her friends3 without the lightning she could have accomplished nothing4 ,there was a turn in the path that led through the village1 and once or twice she was at a loss how to proceed4 ,she would not be dismayed1 though at times she feared her enemies would hear the loud beatings of her heart4 ,guided by the lightning1 and resting for a moment when she feared her footfall would give the alarm1 she at length reached the spot4 ,there had been no rest for the younger ,chippeway4 ,with the heart-crushing spectacle before his eyes1 he had only given way to a horror at his father's sufferings1 far more dreadful to witness than to endure4 ,there was1 besides1 the anticipation of his own4 ,again and again he looked at the strong cords that bound him4 ,could he for a short time possess the knife his enemies had wrested from him6 ,useless1 indeed1 to him1 without assistance6 ,softer feelings1 too1 came in turn4 ,his wife had been murdered before his eyes1 his young son crushed under the feet of those who now lay sleeping tranquilly around him4 ,the weary night was wearing on4 ,there would be no breaking of the day to him4 ,there was no hope1 but that which pointed to the unknown future2 no light but that which glimmered from the silent land4 ,a slight noise arouses his acute senses1 and he turns his head to that part of the village where were the greatest number of lodges4 ,it might be that the footstep was that of some one of his foes1 determined alone to enjoy the sight of his death4 ,oh6 what joy thus to be saved the reproaches of his enemies1 the laughing of the women1 the sneers of all4 ,eagerly he peers through the darkness1 and the first brilliant flash shows him the pale face of his sister1 as she advances towards him4 ,very near him slept1 in a wigwam1 two warriors who had the charge of him4 ,they might awake3 this thought made the very pulses of his life stand still4 ,for at once he understood his sister's intention4 ,he knew her courage2 he also knew that without an object she would not be thus incurring the risk of arousing their enemies4 ,another flash1 and she stood close by his side--her hand was upon his1 as she felt for the thongs that bound him4 ,one by one they were cautiously severed--slowly1 for the slightest noise might be fatal4 ,it was hard work1 too1 for the maiden1 for the sinews were like iron1 and her strength failed her under the repeated efforts she was obliged to make4 ,there was no word uttered1--their hearts silently conversed with each other4 ,time passed1 and he was almost free2 he was himself severing the last bond that detained him4 ,it yielded4 ,once more he could stretch out his muscular arm4 ,grasping his sister to his side1 covered by the darkness and the thunder1 and the heavily commencing rain1 they made their way under the edges of the bluffs4 ,the young ,chippeway knew the route3 a short peace had existed between the tribes1 and he had more than once passed through the village4 ,at first their progress was slow and deliberate4 ,there was no faltering1 though4 ,they were without weapons1 with the exception of ,we-har-ka's knife4 ,hunger and faintness were oppressing them1 but the danger they were in braced their hearts4 ,as they began to leave the ,sioux village in the distance1 hope gave vigour to their frames4 ,after the day broke1 the clouds were scattering1 and the sunbeams were dotting the hills that lay between them and their foes4 ,still they could not rest4 ,the wild plum was their only nourishment2 nor was it until night had again shrouded the earth1 and the young man laid his sister in the hospitable lodge of a ,chippeway village1 that he realized that he had been a prisoner and was again free4 ,it were impossible to describe the rage of the ,sioux on ascertaining the escape of their prisoners4 ,chash went soon after their flight to his sister's wigwam4 ,his sleep had been restless1 he thought of his dead relative1 but he thought more of the ,chippeway girl1 whom he had resolved to adopt#ab in place of his young wife1 who had died recently4 ,seeing his sister alone1 he anxiously inquired of her what had become of the girl4 ,what was his surprise when she told him there had been no one there2 that when she arose1 the storm was passing over1 but it was still dark1 but that no one had been in the lodge since then4 ,her brother1 much irritated1 contradicted her1 using the most violent language2 yet it was evident to him that his sister was unconscious of his having laid the girl by her side4 ,he turned away1 and sought the scene of the last night's torture4 ,there were the burnt fagots1 and the ghastly remains4 ,the smoke still curled and slowly rose from the ashes1 but neither of the prisoners was to be seen4 ,the thongs with which he had been bound lay on the ground4 ,there was no room for doubt3 brother and sister had fled2 and they lived so near the borders of the ,chippeway country that there was every reason to believe they were beyond the reach of recovery4 ,disappointment and rage overspread his features4 ,he threw up the door of the lodge where the sentinels still slept calmly4 ,pushing the foremost over with his foot1 ,where is your prisoner8 said he4 ,you are brave men1 that cannot take care of one ,chippeway6 ,starting to their feet1 the sentinels at once became aware of what had occurred4 ,where is the girl8 they asked of ,chash4 ,they are both gone1 said he1 and they must both have passed near you4 ,and where were you when the girl went8 replied one of the sentinels4 ,you took her off with you1 and if we could not keep the man1 you could not keep the woman4 ,the inmates of the different lodges came forward to learn what had happened4 ,here advances a brave1 followed by his young sons4 ,the women throw down their bundles of sticks1 to feast themselves with a sight of the ,chippeways ere they commenced their usual avocations2 but they only expressed their sorrow by groans of disappointment4 ,it was decided that the fugitives should be pursued4 ,a party of the younger men set out without delay2 they were warned1 however1 not to go too near their enemy's country4 ,glowing with the expectation of recapturing the prisoners1 and1 it might be1 of bringing home more scalps1 they were anxious to set out4 ,the old medicine-men reminded them of their duty1 gave them advice suitable to the occasion1 and then1 with uplifted hands1 called upon ,wakeen ,tonca1 ,great ,spirit1 ,father1 to help them against their enemies4 ,the close of another evening found the ,sioux quiet1 and busy in drying venison1 and the usual occupations of the season4 ,with the day1 however1 were closing their labours4 ,often a cry of lamentation was heard from the lodge of the ,sioux who had recently been killed in battle4 ,the body of ,eagle ,eye was deposited upon a high scaffolding4 ,his two children were still engaged at the burial-ground4 ,all cries of sorrow1 usual at such times1 were hushed4 ,the sides of the high hills were tinged with gold and crimson4 ,some of these mountains rose high1 high up1 until they could look into the heavens and hear ,god in the storm4 ,the river was as calm as if no scene of cruelty had ever been enacted on its banks4 ,round the frame where ,eagle ,eye's form was laid hung his medicine-bag4 ,chash placed a vessel of water near the body4 ,we-har-ka lightly lifted the bark dish of buffalo-meat#ac and wild rice1 where the soul of the departed warrior could take it1 and be refreshed when tired and hungry4 ,very near him was buried his wife4 ,her bones had been gathered and buried under the ground2 branches of trees and solid pieces of wood had been placed crosswise over her grave1 to protect it from the wolves4 ,the graves and scaffolds were continued to the very edge of the bluff1 while flowers of the most brilliant hue sprung up at the feet of the mourners1 and clung to the low small bushes that grew on the hilltop4 ,the brother and sister were preparing to come down1 when ,we-har-ka perceived the priest seated by one of the graves1 apparently unconscious of all that was passing around him4 ,she approached him1 and softly laid her hand upon his shoulder4 ,he turned to her slowly1 as if aroused from a dream of long past years1 and followed them to the village4 ,his lodge was near hers1 and she listened to his full rich voice as he chaunted the vespers4 ,totally ignorant of what he said1 she was yet soothed by the sweet sounds1 and after they had ceased1 unobserved by others1 she sought him in his lodge1 and night was closing over the earth as the voices of the two mingled in earnest conversation4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,jesuit had long been anxious to take advantage of the first opportunity that offered to return to ,canada4 ,here1 his time was wasted and his health impaired to no purpose4 ,he had succeeded in learning the language of the savages1 so as to converse with them tolerably2 but his mission was as useless here as it would have been among the wild beasts of ,africa4 ,constantly exposed to danger1 without the means of living1 except what he received from ,we-har-ka1 and occasionally from others1 his time unoccupied1 his life was a burden4 ,his health was not strong enough to enable him to join in the hardy exercises and sports of the red men4 ,how anxiously1 then1 did he await the means of deliverance4 ,there was an occasional intercourse with the tribes that lived in the region of the great lakes3 in this way he had come among the ,sioux1 and he hoped thus to return to ,acadie4 ,he passed hour after hour watching the approach of canoes1 hoping to recognise the tall1 gaunt forms of the ,hurons1 or some of those with whom the ,sioux were on friendly terms4 ,over but one human being1 ,we-har-ka1 had he acquired the slightest influence4 ,we have before alluded to the rivalry of the two young men1 ,chash and the ,beaver1 for the disputed honour of being the war-chief of the band4 ,they belonged to opposite clans1 which were almost equally divided4 ,it appeared evident that it could only be decided by some act of bravery performed by one of the parties4 ,the aspirants had equal claims4 ,they were each daring in the greatest degree4 ,young1 athletic1 inured to fatigue and hardships1 thirsting like the war-horse for the battle4 ,chash owed his reputation in some degree to the reputation of his grandfather1 while on the other hand the ,beaver's courage made him feared by his own and the opposite clan4 ,the long-continued feud between the two clans had been more violent than ever since the death of the younger brother of ,chash4 ,his sickness was attributed to a spell having been cast upon him by some one of the other clan4 ,eagle ,eye attributed his death to the family of the ,beaver2 and so great was the hatred of the two clans#ad that murder after murder occurred1 and every sickness and disaster was charged upon some individual1 and thus revenge was constantly sought4 ,especially was ,eagle ,eye dreaded2 his powers as a medicine-man were rated so high1 that in passing by him many avoided his observation--they dreaded lest he should1 by an undefined power1 bring upon them the wrath of an evil spirit4 ,and each warrior wore beneath his richly embroidered hunting-dress a charm1 to protect him from a machination that he feared4 ,yet did the ,beaver love the sister of his rival1 and he had induced her to defy her brother's hot temper1 and promise him all her young affection4 ,love had made him eloquent1 and he persuaded her out of all the opinions she had imbibed from the time she was capable of forming one2 while he1 blind to the attractions of all others1 could only see grace in her person4 ,it was not likely his life would be safe should he marry her1 and remain among his own people2 and could he yield the chances of his high position among the braves with whom he had grown up to the love of woman8 ,he knew that ,we-har-ka would leave all for him4 ,the only question was1 could he make the sacrifice8 ,they had closely kept their secret4 ,we-har-ka had been promised to a young man of her grandfather's clan4 ,she had from time to time delayed the marriage1 by her influence over the old man4 ,the husband they had chosen for her was the tried friend of her brother1 styled among the ,indians1 a comrade4 ,well did ,we-har-ka know how determined was her brother's temper1 and that he would force her into the marriage after her grandfather's death1 and that1 unless by some great effort1 there was no hope4 ,on the night of the return of the party1 and the burning of the prisoner1 she had1 indeed1 gone to the prairies to weep2 but it was as much over the difficulties of her position as the death of her relative4 ,it was not without an object that she had come forward to meet the war-party1 and told them her intention4 ,when the excitement of the burning of the ,chippeway was at its height1 her lover had left the group of young men1 and a short time brought him to ,we-har-ka's side4 ,after a few moments passed in the joy of reunion1 ,we-har-ka told him that her fate must soon be decided1 and implored him to take her away from their home1 as their only chance of happiness4 ,they could go1 she said1 among the ,sioux who lived on the ,missouri1 and there live free from care4 ,the young man did not answer her at first1 and ,we-har-ka1 startled with the boldness of her own proposal1 awaited his answer1 standing4 ,her arms were clasped over her breast1 and her eyes bent to the ground3 the moonlight glittered on the wampum which lay on her bosom1 and flashed from the silver cross suspended from her neck4 ,at length the ,indian broke out into angry abuse of her brother and all connected with her4 ,the colour varied in her cheek1 and her lips were more firmly compressed when he charged them with cowardice1 but still she spoke not4 ,she had counted the cost of his love1 and knew1 that to retain it1 she must resign even the natural impulses of her heart4 ,she waited until the torrent of his passion had ceased1 then pointing to the dark clouds that were gathering in the west1 reminded him that they would be missed4 ,the shout that came from the village warned them too of the necessity of separation4 ,he then marked the agitation of her manner1 bade her return home1 telling her that1 after her father was buried1 he would come to the lodge of the ,jesuit3 at what time he could not say1 but not until some amusements should engage the ,sioux3 then he would tell her his determination4 ,we-har-ka1 overpowered with fatigue on her return to her lodge1 slept soundly1 even with the ,chippeway girl by her side4 99 99 99 99 99 ,we-har-ka sat in the wigwam of the ,jesuit1 listening to the accounts of the grandeur of the churches and the magnificence of the altars in the country where ,father ,blanc had passed his youth4 ,he pointed to the small figure of ,christ1 on the altar of cedar wood1 which he had constructed1 then told her of the large one of gold which he had often knelt before in assisting in the ceremonies of the church4 ,we-har-ka1 whose thoughts had been wandering in quest of her lover1 asked him again of the ever interesting story of the death and sufferings of the ,saviour4 ,like those who witnessed the crucifixion1 she wondered that that ,great ,being should submit to such indignities4 ,her religion would have justified resenting them4 ,yet she did not believe it was true1 loving still to hear it told over and over again2 especially was it agreeable to her now to while away the hour until her lover1 under pretence of speaking to the priest1 should find a chance of acquainting her with the plans he had formed4 ,she looked again at the familiar objects on the altar4 ,again1 as ever1 she told the priest he was good and kind1 but that she knew the ,great ,spirit was the father of all4 ,father ,blanc's insinuating eloquence touched her feelings1 but her heart was unaffected3 yet the father1 glad of a listener1 even in the untutored ,indian girl1 dwelt on scenes long past1 and it might be forgotten by all but him4 ,when the moon rose they sat outside the lodge on a mat4 ,they were now both silent4 ,the thoughts of the ,jesuit wandered far and wide3 memory transported him to the forests of ,languedoc4 ,there he pursued his studies1 full of high hope and youthful happiness4 ,he wandered through the most beautiful scenes of nature1 and there was one by his side2 her smile was bent upon him1 as she parted the long ringlets from her brow4 ,he gazed again as he was wont when he bade her good night1 and wondered if angels smiled so sweetly when they bore the dead to the regions of ,paradise4 ,memory changes the scene4 ,death and desolation are met2 darkness and beauty are blended strangely4 ,those angel eyes are closed1 but the sweet smile is there4 ,hushed lips bend over the bier where roses are lavishly strewed4 ,echoes of grief are heard along the halls1 as they pass on with their beautiful burden to the house of death4 ,then come the long nights of sorrow1 the vigils of despair1 the renouncing of the hopes and pleasures of life3 then the morbid restlessness1 the wish for death and forgetfulness4 ,afterwards1 the solitary life of the student1 then the seclusion of the cloister1 and the longing to wear out life under a different sky4 ,he traced again his course1 until he sat here1 a wanderer1 by the side of the ,indian girl4 ,her eyes were wandering over the brilliant scenes4 ,the stars seemed almost to rest on the body of her relative1 as she looked towards the burial-ground where she had passed the day4 ,the branches of the large trees were in perfect repose3 there was no wind to disturb them2 and the gorgeous reflection of the moon on the river seemed almost to illuminate the village4 ,richly endowed with the poetry of nature1 the anxious girl felt calmed by the beauty and tranquillity of the scene4 ,the evening was passing away1 and he had not come4 ,confident of his affection1 she determined to be patient4 ,sometimes her friends would pass along and converse with her2 but they knew her heart was sad1 deprived of the affectionate caresses of her relative4 ,her brother she had not seen since they had returned together from the burial-ground1 but she supposed he was in one of the groups which were enjoying the lovely quiet of the evening4 ,suddenly a wild and piercing cry arrests her attention4 ,starting to her feet1 almost frantic for a moment1 she recognised her brother's voice4 ,again it fell in one long1 rich1 full cry on her ear4 ,there was something unusual in that sound4 ,there was no defiance1 no fear1 no excitement in the voice4 ,it was as if the bald eagle1 long watching and hovering over its prey1 had at length planted her talons in its side1 and was fleeing away far from human hope or protection4 ,so clear was the sound1 so long its echo1 that some doubted if it were indeed a human voice4 ,not so with ,we-har-ka3 pressing her clasped hands tightly over her heart1 turning her marble face to the heavens1 she knew it all4 ,that was not the cry indicating the presence of enemies2 her heart would not have quailed before it as it did now3 it was the announcement of the gratification of a long-cherished revenge4 ,her lover's absence was explained4 ,only a moment1 however1 was given to conflicting thoughts4 ,the young girl moved forward1 and1 as it were1 pioneered the others to the quarter from whence the sound proceeded4 ,there was no shrinking in her slight form3 she might have been taken for some spirit returned to earth to accomplish some high purpose1 unconscious of aught save its own mission4 ,passing on to a rock1 whence you could see the beautiful valley that spread out before them1 the whole story was told in a moment4 ,chash stood as if expecting witnesses2 in his bearing there was a frightful exultation that ill accorded with the other circumstances of his position4 ,in his hand he held the knife1 from which drops of blood were slowly falling on his dress4 ,he watched them with a savage laugh of delight4 ,his figure seemed taller1 by half1 in the moonlight1 its long shadow fell so darkly over the grass4 ,he was not alone1 for easily could all recognise the manly and noble form of the man he hated1 at his feet4 ,well they know that it was death alone that could keep him there4 ,the blood was oozing from his heart3 and they could1 even at the distance from whence they first saw him1 distinguish the marble paleness of his features4 ,a loud shout now arose from the ,indians as they pressed forward4 ,they were divided as to the interest in this scene4 ,the friends of ,chash exulted with him1 and those of the other clan called for revenge4 ,it seemed uncertain how the excitement of the crowd would show itself1 when it was diverted for a moment by the appearance of ,we-har-ka4 ,she rapidly slid down the rocks1 which it was necessary to pass1 in order to reach the two young men4 ,none of them could keep up with her1 so quick and shadowy were her movements4 ,throwing herself on the ground beside her lover1 she made the most frantic efforts to staunch the flowing of the wound4 ,she tore up the grass1 and pressing it together1 placed it against the wound2 but the blood continued to flow in spite of all her efforts4 ,her bearing1 calm and collected at first1 now changed with the evident hopelessness of the case2 her wild and frantic screams pierced the air as she threw herself upon his body4 ,her brother seized her roughly by the arm1 indignant at this show of affection2 but she shrank from his touch1 and again springing to his side1 before he could divine her purpose1 she had wrested the knife from his grasp and pierced it deep in her own breast4 ,chash caught it from her ere she could a second time bury it in her bosom2 but she glided from him and ascended the bluff over which she had passed to reach the dreadful spot4 ,a stream of blood follows in her path4 ,now she has reached the edge of the precipice3 she springs1 and the noise of the dashing waves mingles with the cry of horror that arises from the witnesses of her self-destruction4 ,the ,indians were obliged to return to their village in order to arrive at the place where were their canoes4 ,every effort was made1 but in vain1 to recover the body of the unfortunate girl4 ,she was never seen again4 ,father ,blanc soon after returned to ,acadie with a party who were going that route4 ,he was thankful to leave the scene of such accumulated horrors4 ,he had become warmly attached to the young ,sioux maiden1 whose early sorrows had been impressed on his memory4 ,the horrors of that night were written in characters of blood3 nor did he ever relate the incident without trembling at the recollection4 ,he found in the ,canada ,indians more tractable scholars1--at least1 when they feared the cannon of the ,french4 ,there is reason to conclude that the efforts of the ,jesuits among the aborigines of our country left no abiding impression of good3 but1 like the waters which the tall ships have passed over1 they were agitated for a while from their usual course1 then returned to their restless surging as before4 ,footnote #d3 ,the names ,sioux and ,dacota are applied to the same nation2 the ,indians themselves recognising and preferring the latter name4 ,the little that is known of them is given in the introduction to ,dacota1 or ,legends of the ,sioux4 ,they have1 for many years1 been considered a powerful1 warlike1 and interesting people4 ,they formerly possessed the knowledge of many things of which they are now totally ignorant4 ,they retain the greatest attachment to their country and their religion4 ,footnote #e3 ,for every scalp taken by a ,sioux in battle he is entitled to wear a feather of the ,war ,eagle4 ,this is an ornament greatly esteemed among them4 ,footnote #f3 ,the ,dacotas believe thunder to be a bird4 ,it would be impossible to enumerate their gods1 they are so numerous2 but the thunder is much feared as being one of the most powerful4 ,in living among them you constantly see representations of these gods1 drawn and carved on the various articles that are used among them4 ,footnote #g3 ,wampum is a long bead made of the inside of a shell1 white and of dark purple colour2 it is very much valued by the ,indians1 used as necklaces2 the women esteem nothing more highly than a string or two of wampum4 ,it has frequently been used as currency among the different tribes2 but in making treaties it is strung and made into a belt1 and at the close of a speech is presented to the other party as a pledge of good faith4 ,footnote #h3 ,among the ,sioux it is customary to inflict wounds1 sometimes deep and severe ones1 upon themselves on the occasion of the death of a friend4 ,the arms of aged people are frequently seamed with scars4 ,footnote #i3 ,acadia1 or ,acadie1 was the ancient name for what is now called ,nova ,scotia4 ,before the latter name was used in the act of incorporation by the ,british ,parliament1 ,acadie was within the jurisdiction of ,lower ,canada4 ,footnote #aj3 ,the ,sioux and ,chippeways seem to be natural enemies4 ,peace has been declared between the two nations time and again1 but never has it been sustained1 although the ,united ,states ,government has made every effort to and even compel them to forego their ancient enmity4 ,footnote #aa3 ,wakeen-stone4 ,the ,sioux choose stones as objects of worship4 ,we find them frequently on their thoroughfares2 they never pass these without stopping to smoke1 or to make some slight offering1 such as tobacco1 a feather1 an arrow1 or a trinket4 ,footnote #ab3 ,young persons taken prisoners in battle are often adopted1 in the place of some lost relative4 ,they are then treated with the kindness usually shown towards a dear and valued friend4 ,footnote #ac3 ,the ,sioux believe in the duality of the soul1--one going to the land of spirits1 while one hovers round the grave1 requiring nourishment4 ,some few of their wise people believe that each body claims more than two souls1 assigning an occupation for each2 but this is not the prevailing opinion4 ,footnote #ad3 ,in a ,sioux village there are different clans1 known by the peculiar medicine that each uses1 each clan claiming superior power1 resting in a spell1 which the medicine man or woman can throw upon those of the opposite party4 ,illustration3 ,c4 ,schuessele del4 ,drawn by ,capt4 ,s4 ,eastman4 ,chromolith of ,p4 ,s4 ,duval ,ph4 ,,the ,,laughing ,,waters1 ,three miles below ,the ,falls of ,st4 ,anthony4 ,,the ,,laughing ,,waters4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 ,a few miles from the ,falls of ,st4 ,anthony are ,the ,little ,falls1 or1 as the ,sioux call them1 ,the ,laughing ,waters4 ,do you know where the waters laugh8 ,have you seen where they playfully fall8 ,hid from the sun by the forest trees green1 7,though its rays do pierce the vines between17 ,dancing with joy1 till1 night-like1 a screen ,comes down from the heavens at the whippoorwill's call4 ,come with me1 then1 we will tread ,on a carpet of long grass and flowers4 ,the wild lady's slipper we'll pluck as it droops1 ,we will watch the proud eagle1 as from heaven she stoops1 ,a seat we will take by the dark leafy nooks1 ,where a fairy might while away summer's bright hours4 ,from on high1 the gay waters come6 ,at first1 how they lazily creep ,o'er embedded rocks1 while agates so bright ,here and there greet the sun1 by noonday's strong light1 ,and again dimly glance when stars come at night1 ,to watch where the ,father of ,waters' waves sleep4 ,how mildly they laugh as they haste6 ,now they near the spot where they will spring1 ,lightly clearing the distance to the pebbles below1 ,where1 tired with the effort1 more calmly they flow1 ,while the glistening spray1 and the foam white as snow1 ,their light o'er the rocks and the dancing waves fling4 ,at evening how often will come ,the wild deer to drink and to rest2 ,till frightened away by the nighthawk's loud scream1 ,they flee to the shades where the wood spirits dream1 ,and sink to repose by the moonlight's fair beam1 ,like the babe by its mother's soft smile lulled to rest4 ,and here does the tall warrior stand1 ,with the maiden he loves by his side6 ,he tells her to list while the fairies do quaff ,their cupful1 and shout1 and then wildly laugh1 ,for they know that she leans on his love like a staff1 ,which will ever support her in life's changing tide4 ',twould be well1 did ye weep1 waters bright6 ,soon no more to thy banks will they come1-- ,the maiden who loves1 or the warrior so brave1 ,the wild deer at eve1 in thy waters to lave1 ,the song-bird to dip its bright wing in thy wave1 ,when the shadows that fall with the night are all gone4 ,the ,indian's reproach ye might hear1 ,did ye listen1 fair waves1 to the sound6 ,are you gay1 when you know of the tears we have shed1 ,when profaned are the graves of our fathers long dead1 ,when haunted our lands1 by the white man's proud tread1 ,as he passes o'er rock and o'er prairie and mound8 ,for ages we've loved thy fair stream6 ,no more can we claim thee1 no more ,will the warrior sing his war-song in thy ears1 ,will the mother who comes for her child to shed tears1 ,will the maiden who prays to the spirit she fears1 ,gaze on thy bright waves1 or rest by thy shore8 ,o-,,ko-,,pee4 ,a ,,mighty ,,hunter ,,of ,,the ,,sioux4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 ,it is impossible for one possessed of kind and generous feelings to pass a grave without mournful reflections4 ,though a stately monument rise over it1 it covers the work of death4 ,the mouldering form was once as full of joy and care1 of tears and rejoicings1 as we2--a being who performed his part in the theatre of life1 but who has now1 for ever1 taken his place behind the closed curtain4 ,and if it be the resting-place of the poor and unknown1 we must feel too3 the rude stone at the head1 the weeds springing up1 the indifference of the merry children as they play around it1 do not take from the claim that was once possessed by the form that is fast mingling with its native earth1 to have been one of the many toilers after a happiness never obtained1 a rest never enjoyed on earth6 ,how have passed away many of the nations of the earth4 ,some have noble monuments4 ,egypt1 ,greece1 ,rome1 ,palmyra1 and the ,aztecs1 who flourished upon our own shores--gems of wealth and learning are heaped upon their graves2 the undying wreath of fame crowns their memory4 ,the older the world1 the better they will be known4 ,as time advances1 so will increase our knowledge of their history and laws--their hieroglyphics will be understood1 throwing light upon things hitherto a mystery to us4 ,but not so with our ,indian nations2 they must depart with hardly a memorial of their existence4 ,few now care to learn aught that one day may be spoken in memory of a noble people passed away2 few now reflect that the soul of this people stands winged for its flight4 99 99 99 99 99 ,some recollections of the time passed among the ,northwestern ,indians are very delightful to me1 but many are equally sad--none more so than the history of a poor idiot creature with whom we were well acquainted4 ,o-ko-pee1 ,the ,nest4 ,i have often reflected upon his eventful life1 and melancholy death--his patience and humility1 the muscular strength of his form1 and the passionless expression of his features4 ,the mortal tenement was able and healthful when ,i first knew him1 but the spiritual no longer animated it2 indeed1 as a companion he was no better than the game he hunted1 for his mind was gone4 ,when overcome with hunger he would tell us how very long it was since he had eaten4 ,he knew1 too1 when he was cold1 for he would direct our attention to his threadbare clothing4 ,like the prairie deer or buffalo1 he would seek shelter from the storm or burning sun2 but though he might once have reflected upon the occupations of a disembodied spirit1 when it should be released from the shackles of earth1 he had long since ceased to do so4 ,his mind floated on the stormy waves of life1 like the wreck at sea1 far alike from light1 hope1 or help4 ,his life was an eventful one for an ,indian's4 ,born when the ,sioux were not dependent upon white people1 he trod his native earth with the consciousness of owning it4 ,he routed up the timid grouse from the prairies1 and brought down the red-head and wood-duck on the wing1 never fearing that they and he would be chased from the haunts they loved4 ,often1 when a small boy1 would he kill the plover and woodcock in numbers1 carrying them to his mother as trophies of his skill4 ,how gaily he laughed as for the first time he stayed the fleet course of the wild deer1 and watched her panting1 as she lay beside the brook1 looking for the last time at her own image in its clear waters1 longing to suage the thirst of death with its refreshing coolness4 ,his bones were still tender and his frame small when he sped his wild horse among the buffalo1 sending his lance into their sides1 and shouting as they tore up the earth1 roaring in their agony4 ,was he in danger from the restiveness of his horse8 he knew he had only to fix his black eye upon the revengeful buffalo1 and1 by the power of the soul speaking there1 subdue his rage4 ,the eye of man meeting the eye of beast1 never turning or yielding its glance1 would quell the passions of the animal1 and he would be safe4 ,he could not stay in the wigwam1 even for an hour3 child of the woods and prairies1 he needed only their companionship4 ,the streams1 the rocks1 and hills were the friends whose society he loved4 ,among them he could commune with his own heart1 and be still4 ,threading the passes among the hills1 or stepping from point to point on the dangerous rocks by the shore1 he ever took the lead in the chase1 and early gained the reputation of being the most famous hunter among the ,sioux4 ,how he obtained the soubriquet of ,the ,nest#ae ,i know not1 but he retained it through all the varying events of his life on earth1 and it has followed him to the ,indian's unhallowed grave1 over which hovers no spirit of hope1 but the dark and fallen angels of ignorance and superstition4 ,as ,o-ko-pee approached to manhood1 the ,english claimed and obtained jurisdiction over the ,sioux4 ,but the hunter1 well acquainted with his own laws1 showed no inclination to meddle with those of another nation1 who showed the might of right4 ,perhaps he did not feel with the many1 who were more sensitive and less happy1 the soul-destroying anticipation of slavery4 ,so long as he had his lance and bow and arrow1 what cared he for innovation8 and he was too ignorant of the economy of nations to recognise the fact that when a people loses the right of self-government1 it yields for ever the power of advancing in strength or happiness4 ,living in his own world1 turning his eyes in adoration to the sun he worshipped1 he believed the ,great ,spirit would not interfere with his concerns farther than to punish him should he neglect to celebrate the feasts and customs of his nation1 or turn from the faith of his ancestors4 ,never was he happier than when listening to the flapping of the wings of the mischievous thunder-birds1 the gods of his nation1 as they roused themselves at the bright and forked streaks in the heavy clouds4 ,there were many1 however1 among the ,sioux who would not willingly yield to the oppressions of the ,english1 as they now would gladly resent1 had they the power to do so1 the encroachments of the people of the ,united ,states4 ,thus1 a ,dacota1 who had received a personal injury from an ,englishman1 determined to take an opportunity of resenting it2 he did so1 according to ,indian rules of strategy4 ,he watched when his victim was unawares1 and took aim successfully1 then plunging into the thick forests1 was lost to the search of his foes1 as was the dead ,englishman1 to the distress of his family4 ,the ,english pursued a system then which has since been adopted by our own countrymen2 a system sometimes productive of great injustice1 yet1 under the peculiar circumstances1 the best one that could be fixed on4 ,i allude to that of taking hostages1 and retaining them until the offender should be given up4 ,o-ko-pee1 who had dreamed away his childhood among the most beautiful scenes of nature1 found himself a prisoner1 torn from the objects which were dear to him as life2 nay1 they were his life1 for deprived of them he sunk to the level of the beasts of the forests4 ,immured in a prison1 far from the refreshing air of his native hills1 shut in by the bars he vainly strove to loosen or to break1 seeing no more the bear1 the buffalo1 the otter1 or the deer1 his heart was broken4 ,after many years of imprisonment1 useless1 for the real murderer never was found1 he was turned loose1 like an animal from whence the owner can no longer derive either amusement or profit3 he returned mechanically to his former occupation4 ,once again free in the woods1 he was soon a laughing-stock for the ,sioux4 ,he has no heart since he was prisoner to the white man6 they cried1 as he passed to the prairies1 with his vacant look and humbled demeanour4 ,where was the proud glance and the free step8 ,ask those who with the iron arm of power punished the innocent for the guilty4 ,still1 as ever1 he followed the chase--thirteen deer did he kill in one day1 and never tired of hunting1 even as age advanced seemed to increase his passion for roaming4 ,often has he come to us with every variety of game1 never breaking his word1 whatever might be the state of the weather4 ,but in coming or going1 giving or receiving1 his demeanour and countenance never changed2 his eyes were wandering in vacancy1 save when the fire-water1 given by the white man in exchange for the soft furs he brought him1 would tinge his sallow cheeks with the flush of madness1 and lighten his eye with the glances of a fiend1 and change from the sober quiet and calmness of the unhappy idiot to the noisy1 reeling1 hellish figure1 which seemed a visitant from the world of darkness rather than a suffering inhabitant of earth4 ,o-ko-pee is dead4 ,it is not mine to say whether or not1 in another state of existence1 he enjoys happiness sufficient in degree to make up for the heavy trials of life3 ,i have only to do with him here2 and as ,i have said he lived a sacrifice to the all-conquering and indomitable spirit of the ,saxon race1 so did he die4 ,some years ago1 a band of ,sioux1 distant from ,fort ,snelling1 attacked a party of ,winnebagoes1 taking fourteen scalps4 ,hearing that the scalps were carried from village to village1 and danced round day after day1 there was a party sent from the ,fort to take these scalps from the ,indians1 as there was a fear lest the hot blood of the young warriors should be roused1 and serious difficulties would then occur between the two tribes4 ,so the scalps were brought into the ,fort2 the affair was reported at ,washington4 ,the ,winnebagoes asked for indemnity for the injuries they had received1 and the authorities at ,washington decided that four thousand dollars should be paid to the ,winnebagoes out of the annuities received by the ,sioux from our own government4 ,it was in the summer3 the ,indian potato1 hard and indigestible1 was just ripening3 the corn was green4 ,the ,sioux were without flour and other provisions2 even if game had been abundant1 they had neither powder nor shot4 ,they pined away by fever and weakness2 death stalked among them like a giant1 laughing as he crushed to earth men who were like children beside him4 ,was there no help for them8 the mandate had gone forth4 ,the children fell to the ground dying for want of nourishment2 the strong man clung to the trees for support1 and the gray-haired leaned against the insensible rocks4 ,few there were who could bring down the game with their bows and arrows as did their forefathers1 and the white people were crowding in their country and driving the game back where they were too feeble to pursue it4 ,then came forward the kind missionaries to the aid of their unhappy friends4 ,how liberally they shared with them all that they possessed1 striving too to quiet their minds1 agitated by burning fever4 ,they gave them medicine and food1 supporting the dying mother and taking charge of the infant and the aged4 ,they sought to assuage the agonies of exhausted nature1 directing in its flight the restless spirit standing upon the borders of life to that happy place where hunger and sickness are unknown4 ,it was on one of the warmest days of summer when my little children1 with their father1 crossed the ,st4 ,peter's1 and advanced towards the trading establishment at ,mendota4 ,on the shores of the river one wigwam was placed1 and1 attracted by the groans of anguish which proceeded from it1 they entered4 ,it was ,o-ko-pee dying2 yes1 dying as he had lived1 a sacrifice to the white man's rule--dying as he had lived1 alone4 ,no friend supported his aching head1 which was burning with fever1 or chafed the cold limbs covered with ashes4 ,indeed1 his head was pillowed on a bed of ashes4 ,he recognised his visiters1 and seeing their young faces solemnized by what they had never before witnessed1 the presence of death1 he spoke to them by name1 said he was sick1 and asked them for medicine4 ,it was too late for medicine or sympathy2 in another hour ,o-ko-pee1 the hunter of the ,sioux1 was gone for ever from the earth4 ,footnote #ae3 ,it is customary1 when an ,indian advances towards manhood1 for him to lose the name bestowed upon him in childhood1 obtaining another by some peculiarity of appearance or conduct1 some daring action or violent passion2 thus1 ,sleepy ,eyes1 is the name of a chief among the ,sioux1 from the drowsy expression of his countenance4 ,,chequered ,,cloud4 ,,the ,,aged ,,sioux ,,woman4 ,i would tell you of a friend of mine3 ,she's neither rich nor fair2 ,the snows of many winters ,have bleached her raven hair4 ,the brightness of her large black eye ,has been dimmed for many years2 ,and the furrows in her cheek were made ,by time and shedding tears4 ,she is an ,indian woman1 ,and me has often told ,traditions of her native land1 ,and legends sung of old2 ,of battles fiercely fought and won1 ,of the warrior as he fell1 ,while he tried to shield from a fearful death ,the wife he loved so well4 ,ask her whence her nation came3 ,with a smile she will reply1 ,the ,dacotas aye have owned this land1 ,where the eagle soars so high2 ,where ,mississippi's waters flow1 ,through bluffs and prairies wide2 ,where by ,minesota's sandy shore ,the wild rice grows beside4 ,ask her of her warrior sons1 ,who rose up by her side-- ,enah6 in the fearful battle1 ,and by sickness they have died-- ,and of her gentle daughter3 ,see the tear steals lowly down1 ,as the memory of the slaughter ,of that frightful night comes on4 ,many have been her sorrows1 ,while ever to her breast ,sickness or want or suffering came1 ,like a familiar guest4 ,yet1 she says there was a time ,when her step was light and free1 ,and her voice as joyous as the bird ,that sings in the forest tree4 ,i said she was my friend3-- ,i am not one of those1 ,who from the wealthy or the great ,companionship would choose4 ,the soul that animates her frame ,is as gifted and as free1 ,and will live for ever1--like the one ,that ,god has given me4 ,she worships the ,great ,spirit1 ,yet often does she tell ,of the fairies that inhabit ,mountain1 river1 rock1 and dell4 ,she will say to kill a foe ,of religion is a part2 ,yet underneath her bosom beats ,a kind and noble heart4 ,she has ever loved to listen ,to the savage shout and dance2 ,to see the red knife glisten ,o'er the dying ,chippeway's glance4 ,to watch the prisoner1 burning1 ,confronting at the stake ,his enemies1 who vainly strive ,his spirit proud to break4 ,judge her kindly1--and remember1 ,she was not taught in youth ,to bend the knee and lift the heart ,to the ,god of love and truth4 ,love ye your foes1 said ,he who brought ,to us the golden rule2 ,but eye for eye1 was the maxim taught ,in the ancient ,jewish school4 ,we know it was a beggar ,who in ,abraham's bosom slept1-- ,and1 haply1 her ancestors ,by ,babylon's waters wept4 ,while poor1 like ,lazarus1 it may be1 ,from ,israel's stock has come ,the red man1 tracing out on earth ,his ,god-forgotten doom4 ,well ,i knew1 when last we parted1 ,that1 if ever we met more1 ',twould be when life's sweet sympathies ,and painful cares are o'er4 ,she said1 while down her aged face ,the tears coursed rapidly1 ,many a white woman have ,i known1 ,but you were kind to me4 ,not half as dear to the miser ,is the yellow gold he saves1-- ,or the pearl1 to the venturous diver1 ,which he seeks beneath the waves1 ,or the summer breeze1 to the drooping flower1 ,fresh from the balmy ,south1 ,as those grateful words which slowly came ,from the ,indian woman's mouth4 ,she has struggled with the ills of life2 ,for her no parent's prayers ,have risen to the throne of ,god1 ,to sanctify life's cares4 ,but ,god will judge her kindly3 ,he sees the sparrow fall2 ,and1 through his ,son's atoning blood1 ,may he mercy show to all6 ,,fire-,,face4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 ,fire-face was willing to die1 he said1 but not until he had killed another white man4 ,he was sincere in acknowledging hatred towards the people of the ,united ,states4 ,there was no doubt but he had stained his hands with the blood of one white man2 but this did not satisfy him3 let him take the life of another1 and he was willing to be made prisoner1 and to meet what punishment might be designed for him4 ,the mantle of ,cain had indeed fallen upon him2 his heart was turned even from his own people1 and angry threatenings were ever upon his lips1 against those with whom he had grown up side by side4 ,wabashaw1 chief of one of the bands of ,sioux on the ,mississippi1 left his home1 where the prairies stretch out to the distance1 without even a hill to relieve the level sameness1 or trees to shelter them from the short but intense heat of the summer1 to encamp1 by permission1 on the ,st4 ,peter's ,river1 opposite ,fort ,snelling4 ,fire-face1 one of the band1 was with them1 accompanied by his two wives4 ,he was feared by all of the band2 even the brave chief ,wabashaw1 whose life he had threatened1 turned from the fierce gaze of the man1 over whom had been cast a spell from the spirits of evil1 for he frowned alike upon friend and foe4 ,only his wives seemed easy when he was near1 and they not only feared but loved the strange being1 whose hand was against every man's4 ,he passed the most of his time seated near his lodge1 with his medicine-bag hanging near2 his implements of war and hunting glistening in the light1 and his loaded gun ever by his side4 ,many efforts had been made to apprehend this desperate man1 yet he had always eluded the pursuit of the soldiers2 and now1 although aware of the danger he was in1 when living so near the garrison1 he appeared to be perfectly unconcerned1 saying1 he knew the soldiers would make every effort to arrest him2 but that he would never be taken until another of the pale faces had fallen by his arm4 ,wabashaw1 the chief1 frequently visited the ,fort1 always accompanied by his late friend ,many ,lightnings1 and on every occasion he pressed the necessity of taking ,fire-face prisoner4 ,he was a bad ,indian1 said ,wabashaw1 who loved to see blood2 and1 if allowed to go at liberty1 some one would be murdered by him4 ,the chief said that he did not sleep at night in his own lodge1 but went for safety to the near village of ,mendoto1 where he remained until the sun was high in the heavens the next day4 ,in consequence of these representations1 a party of soldiers was sent to arrest him1 and the ,indians were to assist in the capture4 ,fire-face was on the lookout3 he appeared to show himself in the way of danger for the pleasure of overcoming it4 ,he would remain at ease until the party was near him2 and then1 like an arrow from the bow1 he would fly through the village1 no man daring to stay him3 and you might as well have attempted to catch the sunbeam on the waters as the hunted man4 ,pursuit was unavailing1 and the soldiers each time returned disappointed to the ,fort4 ,he would soon come back to the encampment4 ,what a courage was his1 thus purposely throwing himself in the way of danger1 knowing too that he had not one friend to whom he could turn4 ,his frightened1 helpless family alone cared for him4 ,it was evidently a pleasure to him to be in a situation of peril1 to show his adroitness in extricating himself4 ,about ten o'clock one night he sat in his lodge1 gloomily meditating on his position4 ,could he eventually escape the pursuit of his enemies8 ,was he not a doomed man1 when the bands of friendship were severed between him and those with whom he had fought1 and whose lives had been tracing an even course with his8 ,the children's heavy breathing was the only sound that could be heard4 ,his wives sat mute in the lodge4 ,he had been hunted to the death1 and now sleep was overcoming him1 and his watchfulness was yielding to his fatigue2 while he thought to lay his tomahawk beside him1 and seek repose1 the door of his lodge was turned aside1 and the long-knives 7as the soldiers were called7 were upon him4 ,their exulting looks were met by his calmest demeanour3 he offered no resistance2 but when the soldiers placed their hands upon his wrists to secure the captive1 he glided from their grasp as easily as a serpent might pass from the touch of a child2 he bounded from their sight1 and again they vainly sought the strange man3 the protecting shades of night were about him1 and he knew full well the hiding-places of the neighbourhood4 ,when out of their reach he laughed as he looked at his oiled hands and arms1 for there was the secret of his escape4 ,morning found him again in his lodge1 calm1 fearless as ever4 ,the ,sioux thought he must wear a charmed life1 and they kept from the reach of his arm3 and the children1 even his own1 played where they could not see his dark face as he watched their amusements4 ,there is a spell1 however1 that few ,indians can resist2 it is to them an unfailing quietus for care3 they can fancy they are free when fire-water quickens the coursing of their veins4 ,they curse the white man from the heart1 and hope and look forward to the time when the red man shall have his own again4 ,they then forget that the outstretched arms of desolation are ready to clasp them1 and that destruction1 like the night-bird1 is hovering over their heads with its hoarse cry sounding to their hearts4 ,fire-face could not refuse the charm4 ,the ,indians pressed it upon him1 and then informed the soldiers that they were going out with the intention of hunting1 as ,fire-face thought1 that on this occasion he might be followed and taken4 ,the party went on their route1 stopping occasionally to drink and to smoke4 ,fire-face1 overcome by the liquor he had drank1 could hardly keep up with them4 ,his gun swung carelessly from his shoulder1 and his usual gravity was changed for a loud and boisterous cheerfulness4 ,the white people fear me1 he said1 laughing2 well they may1 for my arm is strong1 and before ,i die ,i will kill another of them4 ,i have already murdered a white man1 and should be satisfied if one of their women died by my tomahawk4 ,i should like to take her scalp with the long light hair hanging from it4 ,the ,indians still encouraged him to drink1 and as the morning advanced he became the more unfitted to pursue his way4 ,from a state of passion and excitement he had passed into one of stupor3 at length he rested himself against a tree1 and alternately muttered and dozed4 ,in the mean time soldiers were following him up4 ,wabashaw gave information of the path ,fire-face had taken1 and they were soon upon him4 ,he was a prisoner at last1 and that consciousness sobered him4 ,his hands were bound4 ,one of the ,sioux1 indignant at this proceeding1 attempted to cut the straps1 but was pushed off4 ,after a slight delay1 the soldiers returned with him to the garrison4 ,he continually reproached himself with his own unwatchfulness1 telling the soldiers that he had always intended killing one of them ere he should be in their power4 ,he mournfully said it was too late now to accomplish his purpose4 ,at about six o'clock in the afternoon he was brought into the ,fort4 ,the news of his capture had reached the encampment of ,wabashaw on the opposite side of the river1 and as he approached the guard at the gate of the ,fort1 a number of ,sioux wore seen watching him4 ,his two wives stood there1 and as their husband's figure passed1 guarded and bound1 they literally lifted up their voices and wept4 ,fire-face1 in the mean time1 was turned over to the tender mercies of the guard1 and he was soon seated at the grated window of his cell4 ,i had heard a great deal of the man1 and thought that one who combined so many terrible traits of character must show it in his countenance3 in order to see this singular being1 ,i determined to visit him in his cell4 ,we passed the guard-room and entered his dark and dreary-looking place of confinement4 ,his back was to us1 as he was looking through the bars of his window towards his home4 ,hearing some one approach1 he turned to us with an expression of face entirely mild2 there was neither passion nor murder portrayed in his features1 not even a restlessness in his manner--only a quiet dignity1 a calm unconcern4 ,he begged of the commanding officer to be shot at once1 deprecating the thought of imprisonment--only let him die or be free4 ,it was in vain to remind him of his offences3 the laws of the white man were not for him4 ,he then said that he wished to see his wives4 ,the request was granted3 they were sent for1 and after a little while they1 trembling with fear1 passed the terrible-looking guard and entered their husband's cell1 with their faces covered with their blankets4 ,the next day a council was held at the council-house1 and ,i could not resist the wish ,i had to be present4 ,i longed to see the aborigines of my country presiding as it were in their own halls of legislature4 ,there was always a charm and freshness in listening to their unstudied eloquence4 ,when ,i reached the council-house the speaking was nearly over1 but the scene repaid me for the trouble ,i had taken to witness it4 ,the warriors were seated in rows round the room on the floor1 with the exception of ,wabashaw1 ,many ,lightnings1 and a few of the principal men1--these occupied a bench4 ,their dresses were very rich2 their fans were of large feathers1 stained in many colours4 ,the ,owl was looking grave1 for he had been reproved for interfering with the soldiers1 by attempting to cut the prisoner's straps4 ,one old man was in mourning1 and he looked particularly en dishabille1 his clothing 7and there was little of it7 was dirty in the extreme4 ,his face he had painted perfectly black2 his hair he had purposely disarranged1 to the greatest degree4 ,thus he presented a striking contrast to the elaborately adorned warriors around him4 ,many ,lightnings was dressed with scrupulous care4 ,he had been presented with an old uniform-coat1 which he wore with the utmost complacency4 ,we noticed the warriors were almost all young3 we asked where were all their old men4 ,wabashaw said1 they were all carried off by the small-pox1 which had nearly destroyed their band some years before4 ,several of them1 besides the chief1 were deeply marked from this disease4 ,when we left ,fort ,snelling1 ,fire-face was still in confinement1 but was soon to go to ,dubuque for trial4 ,i learned some months after1 that he had escaped3 ,i thought then1 his long-cherished wish might still be gratified4 ,,death-,,song ,,of ,,an ,,indian ,,prisoner1 ,,for ,a ,,long ,,time ,,confined ,,at ,,fort ,,snelling4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 ,here1 in these hated walls ,a prisoner ,i2 ,vainly my young wife calls1 ,as night-winds sigh4 ,brightly the white stars shine3 ,upwards ,i gaze1 ,seeking this soul of mine ,from earth to raise4 ,strong ,wind1 my comrade brave1 ,looks sternly by1 ,watching the death-film dim ,his brother's eye4 ,chained are these useless hands2 ,cold is my heart2 ,soon to the spirits' land ,must ,i depart4 ,pacing my prison dark1 ,arms do ,i see1-- ,while measured the sentry's step1-- ,glance gleamingly4 ,once1 like the wild deer1 ,or eagle1 as free1-- ,now1 closely guarded here1 ,prisoners we6 ,when has the red man felt ,woman's weak fears8 ,but from these wearied eyes ,fall warriors' tears4 ,father of ,waters1 ,i ,ne'er shall see more1-- ,list to its waves pass by1 ,beating the shore4 ,sleeps my brave comrade now8-- ,dreams he of home8 ,see1 o'er his haughty brow ,dark shadows come4 ,like me1 he fain would be ,where1 from the bow1 ,piercing the wild deer's side1 ,swift arrows go4 ,when from the waters bright ,fades the red sun1 ,following the evening light1 ,darkness comes on4 ,so has my spirit drooped1 ,since from my home ,traced ,i my weary steps1 ,ne'er to return4 ,hark6 in the evening air ,low voices come1-- ,bring they to this sad heart ,breathings of home4 ,now do the whispers rise1 ,mighty the sound1 ,like the thunder-bird1#af from the skies ,hurled to the ground4 ,come to our hunting-lands6 ,proudly we roam ,here1 where the white man ,never may come4 ,from our forests on earth ,oft driven back1 ,we are free now1 and follow ,the buffalo's track4 ,here is the bright glance1 ,from maiden's dark eye2 ,while the song of the feast and dance ,rings through the sky4 ,here do we wait thy step1 ,while soon1 for thee1 ,bursted the prison bars1 ,the warrior free6 ,footnote #af3 ,this is an allusion to the battles of the gods of the ,dacotas4 ,the ,thunder 7believed to be a bird7 is sometimes conquered and cast to the earth by the god of the woods or the god of the waters4 ,,the ,,false ,,alarm4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 ,yes1 said ,we-har-ka1 who had outlived children and grandchildren1 whose face and neck were covered with wrinkles1 but who still could walk with the youngest and strongest1 the old woman must pick up what she can get to eat4 ,i hate the white people4 ,have ,i forgotten the death of my son8 ,do ,i not see him now as he fell dead by the gate of the ,fort8 ,what if the ,dacotas had killed some ,chippeways6 ,the ,dacotas have a right to kill their enemies4 ,enah6 ,i hate the ,chippeways too4 ,if ,i were a warrior1 ,i would ever be tracking them and shooting them down1 and ,i would laugh when ,i saw their blood flow4 ,the white people caused the death of your son1 said ,harpen4 ,i hate them both1 replied ,we-har-ka4 ,my son and two others killed some ,chippeways1 and they were taken1 prisoners1 to the ,fort1 because the long-knives had said we must not kill our enemies4 ,then the ,chippeways wanted the ,dacotas who murdered their friends1 that their women might cut them in pieces4 ,so the long-knives told the ,dacotas they might start from the gate of the ,fort1 and run for their lives2 but they told the ,chippeways to be there too1 and they might fire at them and kill them if they could4 ,the ,chippeways fired1 and the three ,dacotas fell4 ,the ,chippeways shouted and were glad1 and the ,dacota women wept4 ,i lay on the ground many days1 with my limbs bleeding4 ,see the scars on my arms6 ,with this very knife did ,i make these wounds4 ,i1 a widow1 and childless1 who has there been to give me food since8 ,when ,beloved ,hail was killed1 continued the old woman1 the white men would not let our warriors go to war against the ,chippeways4 ,red-boy1 too1 was wounded by the ,chippeways1 and even he could not go out to fight them4 ,our warriors are like children before the white men4 ,red-boy was badly wounded1 said ,harpen4 ,yes1 he was badly wounded3 ,i saw him at the time4 ,if ,i were ,red-boy1 ,i would only live to revenge myself on those who had tried to take my life4 ,while the woman talked1 little ,wanska sat by them1 playing with her wooden doll4 ,grandmother1 said she1 may ,i take your canoe and go over to the village8 ,you can come home with the others4 ,i want to talk to my mother about ,red-boy4 ,go1 go1 said ,we-har-ka1 our brave men may no longer do brave deeds1 and by the time that you are a woman1 there will be no more warriors4 ,it has been five winters since ,beloved ,hail was killed and ,red-boy wounded1 and no one has avenged them yet4 ,the child entered the canoe and paddled towards the village1 thinking all the while of what she had heard4 ,grandmother says1 by the time ,i am a woman1 there will be no more warriors3 what will ,i do then for a husband8 and thus divided between the disgrace of not being married1 and the remembrance of ,red-boy's wound1 which she thought had occurred recently1 she entered the village in a state of trepidation1 which was yet exceeded by the condition in which her mother was thrown1 on hearing the announcement that ,red-boy was badly wounded by the ,chippeways2 that ,we-har-ka had seen the wound2 that all the old women were very angry with the ,chippeways and white people2 then1 bursting into tears1 the girl of ten years added3 ,mother1 the ,chippeways and white men are going to kill all the ,dacota warriors1 so that1 when ,i am a woman1 ,i can never have a husband6 ,up rose the eyes and hands of the mother1 and down went the moccasins she was making to the ground2 and up and down she made her way through the village1 giving the alarm1 that ,red-boy was killed by the ,chippeways6 ,shall ,i tell of the scene that followed8 ,oh6 for a pen of magic1 to describe how ,red-boy's relations cried1 and how everybody's relations cried with them2 how the children ran to their mothers1 sheltering themselves under their okendokendas4#ag ,how the dogs yelped and howled1 and sprung on the children's backs1 ready to go wherever prudence might dictate4 ,how the old men started from sleeping in the lazy summer's sun1 and held their tomahawks as firmly as if time were made to be laughed at1 and the young men throwing away the pebbles with which they were playing a game of chance1 walked swiftly on1 bent on avenging ,red-boy4 ,how the wind all at once began to rise1 and the very fish leaped out of the water1 as if they would like to fight too2 while already1 ,indian runners were far on their way to tell the news at ,man-in-the-cloud's and ,good-road's villages1 and to give the word to those whom they might meet1 who would take up the cry1 and rush forward with revenge on their lips1 and murder in their hearts4 ,on they went1 until they reached the house of the ,interpreter1 near ,fort ,snelling1 and then he went with them1 to report to the officers at the ,fort of the outrage2 that ,red-boy was killed1 and that the ,dacota warriors wished to go and avenge the death of their friend4 ,this was1 of course1 considered an infringement of the treaty of peace then existing between the two tribes2 and the ,chippeways had showed their daring by committing a murder so near the walls of the ,fort4 ,it was immediately determined to send a detachment of soldiers to arrest the offenders4 ,in ten minutes a number of men were on the parade-ground1 ready to march1 looking as fiercely at the officers' quarters as if they were about to enter into mortal combat with the doors and windows2 obeying the word of command as quickly as it was reiterated1 while the ringing noise of their ramrods sounded through the garrison4 ,the ,dacotas were perfectly satisfied with the promise made them1 that the ,chippeways should be punished in a manner satisfactory to themselves1 for the death of ,red-boy4 ,we women felt quite solemn in the ,fort4 ,the ,chippeways might resist3 in fact1 there was no saying what they might1 or what they might not do4 ,the command in garrison was very small3 we felt as if we had been through seven wars1 and this was the worst of all4 ,retreat1 the assembling of the command at sundown1 came--the evening gun was fired1 and the flag was lowered--and nothing was heard of the war-party1 white or ,indian4 ,tattoo had come1 the soldier's bedtime1 and our anxieties were not at rest4 ,towards twelve o'clock the men returned with their officer1 without having had even a show of fight4 ,to their intense mortification and disappointment1 ,red-boy had been seen1 and talked with1 large as life4 ,he had eaten a saddle of venison that day1 without any assistance1 and was1 accordingly1 in a good state of preservation1 having received no wound since the one of five years' standing1 the scar of which he showed4 ,now1 we know that among white people1 as well as ,indians1 women have the credit of raising all the false reports1 and circulating all the scandal that is going the rounds4 ,most unjust charge6 and all men1 red skins and pale faces1 are defied to prove it4 ,among the ,indians women have no chance whatever4 ,is an ,indian charged with stealing pork from the traders8 ,it was not the warrior who did it1 but his wife4 ,has a party of ,indians been admitted into the ,fort1 and some loaves of bread and pieces of meat been abstracted8 ,somehow or other the women are sure to be in fault4 ,has the garrison been alarmed1 and a party of soldiers sent out uselessly8 ,as usual1 the women made the trouble4 ,yet1 with a sigh from my heart1 ,i must confess that appearances are against the sex4 ,there were many threats of vengeance made against ,we-har-ka in the present instance1 for the trouble which her longings for vengeance had occasioned2 but she was not afraid3 she had taken care of herself for nearly a hundred years1 and would be apt to do so during the short remnant of her life4 ,indian women will talk of their wrongs as long as they feel them1 and that will be until the heart has ceased to beat1 and the tongue is silent for ever4 ,we-har-ka lives on the memory of her sorrows4 ,she holds them to her heart1 as does the mother her child of a day old4 ,they are dear to her as would be the hope of vengeance4 ,i say she lives1 but ,i know not4 ,seasons have gone since ,i bade adieu to her home1 and it may be1 she is all unconscious that winter is gone1 and that summer's breath is waving the green boughs of the forest trees as they lift up their branches to the heavens4 ,it must be soon1 if not now1 that her form1 covered with garments of poverty and misery1 and perhaps shielded from the gaze of passers-by by the tattered blanket of some friend poor as she1 reposes quietly near the river bank4 ,would you not like to have heard her talk of her amusements as a child1 and her happiness when a maiden--of the scenes of pleasure she remembers1 and of terror from which she has fled--of the pains1 the hunger1 the watchings she has endured--of the storms and sunshine of a life passed away8 ,footnote #ag3 ,an ,okendokenda is a part of an ,indian woman's dress1 somewhat resembling the sack worn by ladies at the present time1 more open1 displaying the throat and chest4 ,it is generally made of bright-coloured calico4 ,illustration3 ,c4 ,schuessele del4 ,drawn by ,capt4 ,s4 ,eastman4 ,chromolith of ,p4 ,s4 ,duval ,ph4 ,,indian ,,courtship ,,indian ,,courtship4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 ,show me a brighter scene ,on our beautiful earth1 or where fairies dream6 99 99 99 99 99 ,tell me where1 rocked by the billows high1 ,the sea-bird pierces the gorgeous sky1 ,where the moonbeams rest on the ocean wave-- ,where dies the sun o'er the crystal cave4 ,where the bell sounds sweet o'er the desert sand1 ,like matins that ring in a far-off land4 ,where the mountain heaves with its angry voice1 ,and the lava speeds with its fiercest course2 ,where the glaciers glance by the sunbeam's ray1 ,and the avalanche bursts with resistless sway4 ,yet show me a brighter1 a fairer scene ,on our beautiful earth1 or where spirits dream1 ,than here6 where the leaves of the large trees lave1 ,as their boughs are bent to the river's wave2 ,than here6 where night and the white stars come1 ,their watch to keep o'er the ,indian's home4 ,now o'er the waters bright ,glides his canoe1 ,throbbing his warrior heart1 ,maiden6 for you4 ,roused from your dreamy sleep1 ,bend low and list2 ,not once has his well-known tread ,your loving heart missed4 ,not far from the wigwam door ,rests he awhile-- ,but from far has he journeyed ,to meet your bright smile4 ,he speaks to your heart ,by the flute's slightest sound1 ,and its low notes are echoed ,by that heart's wildest bound4 ,he knows if you love him ,you'll surely come forth1 ,and modestly plight him ,a maiden's pure troth4 ,then come6 he will talk ,of his sweet forest home1 ,which you will make brighter2 ,come6 maiden1 come6 ,you move not4 ,ah6 woman1 ,he will not despair3 ,he has medicine tied ,in the braids of his hair4 ,love-medicine1 bound ,in the white deer's soft breast1 ',twill charm you at last ,on his bosom to rest4 ,should he wait for your coming ,this fair night in vain1 ,no faint heart has he-- ,he will charm you again4 ,a spell he will cast ,on your slight graceful form2 ,then1 wrapped in your blanket-robe1 ,maiden1 you'll come4 ,to your parents he'll presents give3 ,bright things and new-- ,ah6 young wives are bought and sold ,among ,indians too4 ,then1 from the mother's side ,you will go forth1 ,the star of a warrior's home1 ,the light of his hearth4 ,come6 ere the morning star ,lures him away2 ,he must meet with the wise men ,when breaks the blue day4 ,your soft voice must greet him ,ere homeward he turn1 ,then close to his throbbing heart ,come1 maiden1 come6 ,,the ,,sacrifice4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 ,far away in one of the fair valleys of the ,west1 where dark forests frown alike in summer1 when the richly clad boughs wave to the passing breeze1 and in winter1 when the bare maple and thick evergreens are covered with snow1--far away1 just on the borders of the valley1 close by the huge rocks which rear their heads above the bluffs that hang over the water1--an ,indian village1 with its many-sized lodges rising here and there1 reposed1 as it were1 without fear from storm1 or the sun's heat1 or the aggressions of enemies4 ,sometimes1 indeed1 the mighty thunder rolled angrily towards it1 and the streaked lightning called over and over again1 to the many hills around1 to rouse up the tardy storm-spirits2 but they loved not to linger here4 ,their voices could be heard in angry murmurs1 then they would pass on in the river's course1 with many a wild shout1 to seek some spot less lovely on which to spend their wrath4 ,a very few miles below the village1 an ,indian might be seen1 slowly paddling his canoe over the placid waters4 ,the dark lines of his face were fixed in deep thought4 ,his countenance was pale1 though the hue of his race was there2 his nostrils large1 and quivering with the remains of passion2 his eyes bright and lustrous1 as if with fever2 but around his mouth might be traced an expression which seemed to indicate that grief as well as passion was struggling with him4 ,as he slowly touched with his paddle the passive waters1 he looked around him with a bewildered air4 ,suddenly1 he started1 as his eye fell upon something that lay in the bottom of the canoe2 he raised it3 'twas the arrow of his child4 ,how came it there8 and why should the father1 forgetting all1 as he dropped unconsciously the paddle into the waters1 cover his face with both his hands1 and while the tears forced their way through his fingers1 tremble with remembrances too strong even for him1 the ,iron ,heart1 to bear8 ,all was quiet and peace4 ,not a voice was heard2 even nature's was still4 ,no human eye looked upon the warrior as he wept4 ,silence and solitude surrounded him4 ,the vast prairie that stretched abroad might have recalled to his mind the unending future1 which he was to spend in the society of the honoured dead4 ,the soft vapoury clouds of evening that hung over him1 might have told him1 as they have told many1 that it is not far from the wretched to the land of spirits4 ,the waters1 on which his canoe rested almost motionless1 might have called to his remembrance1 that life was a sea1 sometimes troubled and sometimes calm1 over which the mortal must pass to reach immortality4 ,but no such tranquillizing thoughts calmed the tempest which was raging in his bosom2 his bare chest heaved with emotion2 but at length he raised his head1 and taking another paddle from the bottom of his canoe in his right hand1 with the other he threw the small arrow that had occasioned him so many painful thoughts1 and watching till the waters closed over it1 he made his way towards the bend in the river1 where lowlands and prairies were no more to be seen1 and an hour's time brought him in sight of the village1 and soon he was clambering over the rocks towards it4 ,when he met his friends1 there was a stern coldness in his manner1 and he replied fiercely to the greeting salutations of his younger wives1 and called for his daughter ,wenona1 whose mother had long since been dead1 to prepare him some food4 ,wenona obeyed with alacrity her father's commands1 at the same time glancing uneasily towards her two step-mothers1 whose smothered wrath she knew would break forth at some future time4 ,they sat silent on the ground in seeming submission to the will that wrested from them their rights1 in favour of the child of a dead rival2 but those accustomed to read the writing on a woman's countenance1 could see they were rebelliously inclined1 but were forced to conceal their vexation under a calm demeanour4 ,it was in ,august1 the moon that corn is gathered4 ,wenona had during the long day paid the penalty of her father's love2 she had toiled unceasingly1 though the sun scorched her face and bosom2 the watchful eyes of her father's wives were upon her1 and when he was absent1 they hardly allowed her a moment's rest4 ,her young companions wondered at the little spirit she showed2 but ,wenona was of a peace-making disposition1 and preferred submission to contention4 ,the large bundles of corn she had gathered during the day were hanging outside the wigwam to dry4 ,not even had she allowed herself time to join the other girls1 who were diving at noon in the cool waters1 and raising their heads up to call ,wenona1 looking like mermaids as the water flowed from their long1 unbraided hair4 ,it was not long before she placed before ,iron ,heart his evening meal1 venison and boiled corn--while her face was so good-humoured1 and her motions so easy and graceful1 that one would suppose the wrath of the evil spirits themselves would have been disarmed1 much less the anger of those to whose children she so often sung sweet lullabies4 ,iron ,heart did not relish his food2 but tasting the venison1 then lighting his pipe1 he appeared lost to what passed before him3 he often looked in ,wenona's face1 with a strange repentant look1 as if he had done her an injury1 but sought to conceal it in his own bosom4 ,after a while he rose1 and joined a group of warriors1 who were seated without the wigwam1 ,wenona following in his protecting shadow1 out of the reach of complaint or reproof4 ,the group that ,iron ,heart joined was composed of the principal men of the band1 who were listening to the words of one of their wisest men4 ,no one interrupted him1 as he boasted of the feathers he had won1 as he told of the bears and buffaloes he had destroyed2 no one showed impatience as he dwelt upon the time when he was young1 and all admired his feats of valour and strength4 ,respect and attention were on every countenance1 as the white hair of the old man was lifted from his brow by the evening breeze4 ,he told them they had long been at peace with the ,chippeways2 their young men were becoming like women1 without the ennobling and exciting employment of war4 ,that the edge of the tomahawk was blunted for want of use4 ,he said the ,chippeways had again intruded on their hunting-grounds1 and it was time that the war-cry of the ,dacotas should be heard1 to show their enemies their power4 ,the old man1 who had lived nearly a century1 ceased speaking1 and ,the ,buffalo1 who leaned against a tree near the others1 turned towards them1 as if he1 too1 would speak4 ,my words are not good1 like the words of the aged2 my voice is low1 like the sound of the waters in a small stream1 but the wise speak1 and the sound of the ,father of many ,waters is in your ears4 ,but our brave men say they are at peace with the ,chippeways3 they promised they would bury the hatchet deeper than the roots of our tallest trees2 they said we would live together like friends1 and that the war-cry only should be heard when we joined together against our enemies4 ,the old man prepared to answer him3 his limbs shook with rage and excitement2 he raised his finger1 and pointed towards ,the ,buffalo1 then1 when the crimson blood dyed his cheeks1 he said1 ,shame on the coward who fears his enemies3 go gather corn with the women1 and the old and feeble man will die with his tomahawk raised against those who hate his nation4 ,in vain ,the ,buffalo essayed to speak3 they would not hear him2 and he left the council amid the sneers of all4 ,war was decided upon2 and night was fast approaching when ,wenona1 with pale and agitated looks1 pressed forward among the warriors4 ,my father1 said she1 where is my brother8 ,iron ,heart started2 but recovering himself1 he replied1 ,i know not4 ,seek him yourself1 if you would find him4 ,i have sought him1 she said1 but the old woman1 ,flying ,cloud1 tells me ,i may seek him no more1 for she saw his body floating down the river1 as she came up in her canoe4 ,she laughed1 too1 and said ,i would see him one day in the land of spirits4 ,all looked towards ,iron ,heart1 but he made his way among them1 and returned to the wigwam4 ,in vain ,wenona wept1 and besought him to go in search of her brother2 not even would he inquire of ,flying ,cloud4 ,i will go1 then1 and look for him myself1 said the girl4 ,is he not my brother1 my mother's son8 ,cease your noise1 said her father1 sternly4 ,if the ,great ,spirit have called my son1 is he not already a brave warrior in the city of spirits8 ,wenona was quiet at her father's rebuke1 but her heart was ill at ease4 ,she hoped he would return in the night4 ,she remembered that ,flying ,cloud was always bitter and ill-tempered2 and besides1 was not her brother at home on the water8 ,could he not swim as easily as he could tread down the grass on the prairie8 ,she reasoned herself into the hope that ,chask had been tired1 and had laid down to rest2 and she fell asleep with the expectation that his merry voice would arouse her at break of day4 ,and how did he sleep in whose heart lay the secret of the death of his son8 in whose ear was sounding the voice of that son's blood8 99 99 99 99 99 ,in vain might we seek to follow ,wenona in her untiring search for her brother--she knew all his accustomed haunts--at one time making her way over rock and crag1 to find out the eagle's home2 at another1 pushing her small canoe up the stream1 where the beavers made their houses2 weeping1 yet hoping too4 ,day after day passed thus3 and ever as she returned to the village would ,flying ,cloud tell her she must go beyond the clouds to seek him4 ,iron ,heart neither assisted in the search for the boy1 nor spoke of his loss4 ,he was calm as usual3 yet in the last four days he seemed to have lived as many years4 ,he employed himself sharpening the instruments he was soon to use against the ,chippeways1 while hanging near the medicine-sack1 which was attached to a pole outside the wigwam1 was a knife which glittered in the sun1 which was only touched or moved by himself4 ,days and weeks passed by3 ,wenona ceased to look for her brother1 or hope for his return2 yet still she wept4 ,the heart of the motherless girl clung ever in thought to him who had been not only her companion1 but her charge from his birth4 ,she had taken him from her mother's bosom when dying2 she had watched his childish sports1 and sung to him the legends of her people4 ,could she have closed his eyes1 and wept at his feet1 her grief would not have been so hopeless4 ,it often occurred to her that her father was not unacquainted with the circumstances of his death4 99 99 99 99 99 ,strange and solemn was the secret of the death of the ,indian boy4 ,dearly loved by his father1 they stood together one day by the river's side4 ,did you not say1 my father1 said the boy1 that we would go to the forest for the deer8 ,let us go now2 my arrows are swift and strong1 and to-morrow the girls will come and help us drag them in4 ,come1 my father1 your looks have been sad for many days1 but you will laugh when you see the red deer fall as we strike them4 ,the old woman1 ,flying ,cloud1 continued the boy1 says she knows what is going to happen to me4 ,she says ,i will never go to war against the ,chippeways2 that my knife shall never sever the scalps from the head of my enemy2 that my voice shall not be heard in the council1 nor shall my wife ever stand at the door of her lodge to wait my coming4 ,but ,i laughed at her3 she is old and poor2 she loves not the young and happy4 ,see her now1 my father1 as she stands upon that high rock1 waving her arms to me4 ,what have you done to her that she hates you so8 ,she says she has cast a spell upon our race4 ,flying ,cloud is not of our clan1 my son1 replied ,iron ,heart2 her son died1 and she says my mother caused his death4 ,she says she cannot die till my mother is childless like herself4 ,but come1 before the night we must kill many deer4 ,is your knife sharp8 said the boy2 you know we must draw the skins off while they are warm4 ,my sister will work our moccasins and leggins4 ,she says she is never so happy as when she is sewing for me4 ,shall we follow them--shall we penetrate the deep forests to see the father raise his knife to pierce from side to side the strong1 healthy frame of his son6 ,not in anger did he take the life that was dearer to him than his own4 ,was the burden of his sins lying heavily against his heart8 ,who shall tell his agony when he saw the blood flow6 ,who shall say how his soul was wrung with grief as the reproachful face of his much-loved child was turned towards him in death6 ,the wild deer flew past1 but he saw them not4 ,the serpent glided by as it did in ,paradise1 but its stealthy motion was unobserved4 ,the sweet song-birds raised their notes to the sky1 but they all fell unheeded on the ear of the father who had taken the life of his son4 ,raising the form of the boy in his arms1 he bore it carefully to the shore1 and casting it where the current hurried impetuously on1 the dead boy was borne along to share the lot of many who will rest in their ocean grave1 till the land and the sea shall alike give up their dead4 ,when ,i reflect on the tradition of the ,sioux1 that once only has human life been offered in sacrifice1 and then a father took the life of his son--when in the quiet night ,i mind me of those whose destiny seems now to be in our power for good or evil1 ,i remember that when the world was new1 ,abraham1 in holy faith1 yet with a breaking heart1 led his much-loved child--the child of hope and promise1 to sacrifice his life in obedience to the command of ,god4 ,can you not see his lip quiver and his cheek turn pale as he lays him on the altar8 ,can you not hear the throbbings of his heart as he binds him to the wood8 ,abraham's son was spared1 but ,i mind me of another sacrifice1 where ,god spared not his own ,son1 but yielded him1 the pure and sinless1 a sacrifice for the guilt of all4 ,a ,,lullaby4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 ,lo6 by the river-shore ,wenona weeping1 ,lashed to its cradle-bed her young child sleeping1 ,while 'neath the forest trees the dead leaves lying1 ,mournful1 and sad1 and low1 the autumn winds are sighing4 ,lists she to hear his footstep proud advancing8 ,gazes1 to see his tomahawk brightly glancing8 ,watching the tossing waves1 weary and lonely1 ,faithful her breaking heart1 loving him only4 ,raising her drooping form1 hearing her infant cry1 ,pressing him to her breast1 sings she a lullaby4 ,sleep on1 my warrior son6 ,ne'er to his childhood's home1 ,waiting our greeting smile1 ,will thy brave father come4 ,shouting the loud death-cry ,with the grim warrior band1 ,singing the giant's songs1 ,dwells he in spirit land4 ,turning from brave to brave1 ,see his keen eye ,as he glances around him1 ,and smiles scornfully4 ,i knew when he left me1 7,the strawberries grew ,on the prairies green1 ,and the wild pigeon flew ,swift o'er the spirit lakes17 ,then o'er my heart ,came a dark shadow ,ne'er to depart4 ,i watched1 from the door ,of my tupee1#ah the band ,as they turned from their home ,to the ,chippeways' land4 ,i watched and ,i wept1 ,as thy father1 the last ,of the many tall braves1 ,from my tearful gaze passed4 ,wake not1 my young son1 ,for thy father sleeps sound1 ,and his stiffened corse lies ,on his enemy's ground4 ,wake not1 my brave child1 ,thou wilt wrestle1 too soon1 ,with the miseries of life1-- ',tis the red man's dark doom4 ,o'er the fate of the ,indian ,the ,great ,spirit has cast ,the spell of the white man-- ,his glory is past4 ,like the day that is dying ,as fades the bright sun1 ,like the warrior expiring ,when the battle is done4 ,soon no more will our warriors ,meet side by side1 ,to talk of their nation1 ,its power and pride4 ',tis the white man who rules us ,and tramples us down2 ,we are slaves1 and must crouch ,when our enemies frown4 ,sleep on1 my young son1 ,i'd fain have thee know ,as the warrior departs ,did thy brave father go4 ,he feared not the white man1 ,while the ,chippeway knew ,he could boast when he scalped ,the ,dacota he slew4 ,sleep on1 to our desolate ,tupee we go2 ,soon the winter winds come1 ,and the cold and the snow4 ,he is gone who would bring ,to us covering warm1 ,would supply us with food1 ,and would shield us from harm4 ,i have listened full oft1 ,as the white woman told ,of the city of life1 ,where the bright waters rolled2 ,where tears never come1 ,where the night turns to day1-- ,i gladly would go there1 ,but know not the way4 ,ah6 ye who have taken ,from the red man his lands1 ,who have crushed his proud spirit1 ,and bound his strong hands2 ,if ye see our sad race ,in ignorance bowed down1 ,and care not to see it1 ,ye have hearts made of stone4 ,sleep on1 my young son1 ,for soon will we know ,if to the heaven of the white man ,the ,dacota may go4 ,we are children of earth1 ,we must meekly toil on ',till the ,great ,spirit call us1 ,my warrior son6 ,footnote #ah3 ,tupee is the ,dacota word for house or wigwam4 ,illustration3 ,c4 ,schuessele del4 ,drawn by ,capt4 ,s4 ,eastman4 ,chromolith of ,p4 ,s4 ,duval ,pha4 ,,sounding ,,wind4 ,the ,chippewa ,brave4 ,,sounding ,,wind2 ,,or1 ,,the ,,chippeway ,,brave4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 ,hast thou mourned6 oh mourn no longer3 ,death is strong1 but love is stronger4 ,the amnesties that have been made between the ,sioux and ,chippeways for many years have been of short duration3 it appears now that the two nations will be friendly only when the lion and the lamb shall lie down together1 should the two nations exist at that happy period4 ,the sight of each other's blood is as precious to a ,chippeway or ,sioux as would be the secret of perpetual youth to an octogenarian1 who eagerly grasps his tenure for life1 loving1 and fearing to lose it to the last4 ,at the time of my story1 a longer peace than usual had existed between the two nations4 ,they hunted and danced1 and even married together4 ,many a child1 that had never trembled at hearing the war-whoop1 wondered at the old men's stories1 that invariably closed with the triumph of the ,dacota tomahawk over the weaker blade of the enemy3 but that child grew to be a man only to hate a ,chippeway1 as his father had done in youth2 one offence had brought on another1 and the slumbering spirit of vengeance that had reposed in the hearts of the red men was roused up1 and with a double vengeance foe sought foe4 ,in vain were the women and children hidden in the holes of the earth at night for safety2 they were hunted out1 as the starving wolf scents its prey3 after the desperate fight was over1 when the strong were laid low1 then were the aged and the infants dragged from their hiding-places4 ,the red morning sun1 parting the sullen clouds1 hid again from the sight of the blood that was covering the ground1 and dyeing the very stream where but yesterday the village belle1 seated by its fair banks1 listened to the words that every maiden loves to hear4 ,a sad scene was presented at the village of ,gray ,eyes3 the old chief lay helpless among those who had obeyed his slightest word1 the glaze of death dimming an eye that for more than eighty winters had watched the snow1 as it drifted from vale to vale4 ,life had not yet departed3 you could feel the pulse still flutter1 and the heart faintly beat1 but the thoughts of the chief were in spirit-land1 and his soul hasted to burst its prison bars1 that it might renew the combat where the ,dacotas would aye be the victors4 ,a gleam of life and consciousness passed over his faded features1 as an ,indian girl advanced towards him3 it was a child he dearly loved1 soon to be left without a protector4 ,my daughter1 said the old man feebly1 as the maiden threw herself on the ground beside him1 and covered with her tears his cold hands2 then raising herself1 as she saw the wound still bleeding1 she tore a piece from her okendokenda1 and endeavoured to staunch it4 ,it is too late1 my child2 the soul of your father longs to join the warriors who live in the land of spirits4 ,where are your brothers8 ,there6 said the weeping girl1 pointing to the dead bodies that lay across each other4 ,and your mother8 ,there too1 she answered2 all are gone1 my father1 but you and me4 ,i knew how the rocks lay1 and where ,i could hide myself1 and there ,i stayed1 hearing my mother's cries1 and my brothers' shouts1 as they died4 ,i saw1 too1 the ,chippeways1 as they carried away the scalps4 ,when you are gone what will become of me8 ,who will care for ,wenona8 ,not ,wenona1 said her father1 but ',the ,lonely ,one4' ,that will be your name when you will have neither father nor brother left4 ,but see1 continued the old man1 our enemies' blood6 ,your brothers fought well3 they have already passed the warriors' road to the ,city of ,spirits4 ,his breath came quickly--big drops stood on his forehead--another struggle--a last sigh--and ,wenona was indeed the lonely one4 ,the attack of the night before had not been unexpected4 ,the ,sioux had placed pickets around their village1 and a guard had been kept2 but their enemies were too wily for them4 ,the violent storm that raged during the battle was favourable to the ,chippeways2 they were upon the ,sioux ere the watches had heard the slightest sound1 except the wind1 and the peals of thunder that shook the earth4 ,some escaped with their families from the lower end of the village1 but almost all who remained to fight for their families were massacred with them4 ,while ,wenona awaited the struggle1 she was overcome with fear and excitement2 but now she was as one without hope4 ,the blow had been struck4 ,chippeway and ,sioux had fallen in the death-struggle1 locked in the embrace which bound foe to foe4 ,she had given her heart's devoted love to one whom she must now consider as her enemy4 ,sounding ,wind1 a noble young ,chippeway1 handsome in person1 and already favoured among his own people1 had promised to take her to his wigwam when the two nations were at peace1 though there were many then who foreboded the strife that would rend the ties of friendship between the nations4 ,even after hostilities had commenced1 ,sounding ,wind had sworn to himself the woman he loved should be his wife1 though every brave in the nation might stand between him and the accomplishment of his vow4 ,wenona1 as she rose from her father's body1 gazing upon the scene of terror before her1 looked like the flower beside her1 which still reared its head1 though its fair companions were all crushed to the earth by the storm of the night4 ,silence and death reigned here--nature was as tranquil as the hearts of her children4 ,near by swept the lake of the thousand isles3 undisturbed were its waters2 there was no requiem for the dead1 even in the passing breeze4 ,my heart weeps1 murmured the girl2 but shall the bodies of my friends remain until night brings the wolves and hungry birds8 ,sounding ,wind has forgotten the maiden who loves him4 ,he told me our village should be safe2 that he would talk like a wise man2 that he would lead the ,chippeways far away from us3 that1 as the little islands sleep peacefully in the lake through the long summer's day1 so might ,i rest from fear for myself and for my friends4 ,i will go alone and find our people1 that they may come and help me bury our dead4 ,why should ,i fear1 when all who have loved me are gone1 and he who once loved me would take my life as he would pierce the deer on the prairie8 ,wearily she turned her steps1 intending to go to the nearest village1 avoiding the dead bodies at every step3 yet her moccasins were red with blood1 which1 as she pursued her way1 crimsoned the earth at her feet4 ,the reverence that every ,indian woman feels for all things connected with death1 gave her courage to undertake the task before her4 ,every change in the scene brought with it some reminiscence3 grief for the dead were connected with each1 but there were thoughts of the living hard to bear4 ,here had she sat with her mother1 working with porcupine quills gay garments for her brothers4 ,here had she stood and watched the canoe of her lover2 here had he given her the charm which she still wore about her neck3 it was to secure her from any accident till she had left her friends1 and until the gods that the ,chippeways worshipped were hers4 ,she pursued her way2 but as the waters became bright with the warm rays of the sun1 and the pleasant breezes were wafted to the shore1 a sense of oppression and fatigue overcame her4 ,in vain she essayed to rouse herself to the task before her3 it was1 indeed1 in vain1 for at last she threw herself under a large tree1 and yielded to the repose which exhausted nature demanded4 ,she slept on for hours as calmly as if she could only remember and look forward to joy4 ,bright eyes were glancing before her--laughter greeted her ears1 she was a child again in her dreams1 and passing over the gay waters with her boy lover by her side4 ,sounding ,wind1 we have said1 was already a man of consequence in his tribe2 but he had refused to accompany the war-party of the preceding night1 nor did he seek to hide his reasons4 ,they had lived peaceably with the band that lived near the ,lake of the ,thousand ,isles4 ,while he was willing to resent the aggressions of the band that by treacherous acts had broken their faith1 he would not assail those who had given them no cause of offence4 ,a better reason was in his heart3 the love he bore to ,wenona was strong1 even stronger than death2 and could he raise a murderous tomahawk against her family8 ,he was anxious to know the result of the attack on the ,sioux4 ,he met the ,chippeways as1 taking the trail by the river1 they were on their way home4 ,shortly after he joined them1 they seated themselves by the great tree whose branches sheltered ,wenona4 ,they were resting and eating4 ,sounding ,wind stood by them3 no one interfered with his gloomy mood--there was that in him that kept them in control4 ,they were all silent1 when suddenly a sigh of grief and fatigue was uttered near them4 ,startled by it1 each warrior rose to his feet and grasped his knife and tomahawk4 ,sounding ,wind sprung over the bushes that were between them and the spot from whence the sigh issued4 ,at his feet1 just rousing from slumber1 was the girl who was dearer to him than home or friends4 ,one gleam of joy at seeing her again1 one shade of terror at her probable fate1 and the young man1 placing himself between her and the ,chippeways who had followed him1 showed himself ready to protect her so long as his arm could wield the tomahawk that glistened in the sun4 ,come not towards her1 he said to them1 for they had recognised her by her dress1 she is my prisoner4 ,i first touched her--,i claim her before you all4 ,i am your chief4 ,i have led you against the ,sacs and ,foxes1 and ,i will lead you against the ,dacotas1 who have become our enemies1 but this girl's life shall be spared1 for she is to be my wife4 ,i have taken her prisoner3 ,i shall spare her life4 ,am ,i not a ,chippeway8 and shall ,i forget my promise to her1 to make her my wife8 ,wenona had covered her face with her hands1 every moment expecting the blow that would terminate her sorrows2 but no one offered to touch her4 ,they were many and strong in the love of revenge4 ,sounding ,wind was but one2 but stronger than a host was the love that made him brave the stern spirits before him4 ,she arose at the bidding of her lover4 ,she eat of their food1 and pursued1 without fear of harm1 her journey to her new home4 ,there1 amid the struggles of the ,sioux and ,chippeways1 she was ever safe4 ,and happy1 too1 save when the remembrance of the fate of her family came between her and the bright visions that cheer and gladden even an ,indian woman's home1 when the love of her husband and children hallow it4 ,,an ,,indian ,,ballad4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 ,take me away1 said one they called the ,drooping ,eye1 ,bear me where stoops the deer to drink at eve4 ,she would behold the clouds of heaven float gently by1 ,and hear the birds' sweet song ere earth to leave4 ,close is the wigwam1--oh6 give her light and air2 ,say1 can her spirit wing itself for flight1 ,losing the perfume borne from flowers fair1 ,as comes on them and her the gloom of night8 ,on them and her1--but they will bloom again1 ,when breaks the day on earth1 by sleep spellbound1-- ,refreshed by morning winds1 or summer's rain1 ,gilding with colours bright the dewy ground4 ,oh6 bear her gently2 lay her feeble form ,close by the lake1 where beam the waters bright3 ,oft has she watched from here the coming storm1 ,and oft1 as now1 the glow of evening's light4 ,why weep her friends that fails her parting breath1 ,that cold the pressure of her powerless hand6 ,list6--,ye may hear from far the voice of death1 ,calling from earth her soul to spirits' land4 ,well do they know the fairies of the lake1 ,that with its waves have mingled oft her tears1 ,here would she nature's solemn silence break ,with the death-song of woman's hopes and fears4 ,i go1--,i go1 ,where is heard no more ,the cry of sorrow or pain2 ,i will wait for you there1 ,where skies are fair1 ,but ,i come not to earth again4 ,mother1 you weep6 ,yet my body will sleep ,right near you1 by night and by day3 ,and1 when comes the white snow1 ,you will still weep1 ,i know1 ,that the summer and ,i've passed away4 ,when the storm-spirit scowls1 ,when the winter-wind howls1 ,oh6 crouch not in cowardly fear4 ,not unwatched1 then1 the form ,that with life once was warm1-- ,my spirit will ever be near4 ,my sisters6 full well ,a dark tale ,i could tell1 ,how my lover in death slumbers sound3 ,my brother's strong arm1 ,made the life-blood flow warm3 ,and he laughed as it covered the ground4 ,i heard his deep sigh1 ,i saw his closed eye1 ,i knew that life's struggle was past4 ,when his heart ceased to beat1 ,then ,i wept at his feet1-- ,my first love1 my only1 my last4 ,well my proud brother knew ,that my heart was as true ,to my love as the bird to its mate4 ,i go to him there1 ,where flowers bloom fair3 ,will his spirit the ,drooping ,eye wait8 ,comes quickly my breath6 ,the dampness of death1 ,oh6 wipe from my brow with thy hand4 ,earth's sorrows are o'er1 ,i may weep never more1-- ,tears are not in that bright spirits' land4 ,,old ,,john4 ,,the ,,medicine-,,man4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 ,if ever life was a fitful fever1 it was with ,old ,john1 the ,medicine-,man4 ,coming to the ,fort at times when you would not suppose any human being would expose himself to the elements1--always laughing1 always hungry--seating himself before the fire to sleep1 and starting up the moment his eyelids closed over his restless1 twinkling eyes--talking for ever and singing in the same breath--troublesome and intrusive1 yet always contriving to be of use4 ,and useful he often was to an artist who was with us2 for he would stand1 sit1 or lean1 assuming and retaining the most painful attitudes1 looking good-humoured all the time1 and telling of his many wonderful adventures and hairbreadth escapes4 ,he came to us one day in the middle of winter1 for the picture of the medicine-feast was in progress1 and he had promised to show how the priest was to be represented1 that the white people might know in very truth how were conducted the sacred ceremonies of the ,dacotas4 ,while he warms himself1 and eats1 and smokes1 he has as usual a great deal to say1 and this in a half-muttered tone2 for he is a little drowsy from the effect of the fire on his chilled limbs4 ,he takes from his head the three-cornered cloth hood which is worn by the men in severe weather1 and throws his blanket a little from his shoulders1 displaying his handsomely embroidered coat4 ,there is the strongest odour of smoke and stale tobacco from his dress1 and he laughs heartily as we throw open the doors and windows for the benefit of the fresh air4 ,how many strange stories he has of the different medicine-feasts1 and in each he figures largely4 ,about some portions of the dance he is silent2 you may question him closely1 but you get no satisfactory answer4 ,he tells that the feast commences when there is no sun in the heavens2 at midnight1 when often even the moon and stars are hiding their light4 ,he cannot tell white people what occurs then1 nay1 even the uninitiated ,indians would not dare intrude themselves upon the scene2 only the medicine-men and women are allowed to be present4 ,neither entreaties nor bribes have any effect3 he will not intrust to your keeping the solemn secret4 ,all we may know of this part of it is1 that the feast is given in honour of some departed friend1 and these ceremonies are taking place near where lies the body4 ,a conversation is carried on with the dead1 and food is placed near1 that the spirit may eat4 ,bury my dead out of my sight4 ,this is not the sentiment of the ,dacota mourner4 ,the mother wants her child to rest on the boughs of the tree1 under which she has sat and lulled it to sleep in her arms4 ,here1 while she works1 she can see its form swayed by the branches1 rocked by the summer winds3 its innocent spirit1 according to her faith1 must still guard the decaying frame4 ,she feels not the separation so keenly1 when she fancies the soul of her first-born is hovering round her4 ,she steals away from the noisy revelling in the wigwam to weep4 ,she can hardly recall the bright eye and healthy glow1 which once belonged to the lost one1 but the suffering countenance and wasting frame are ever before her2 and in the loud call of the night-bird1 she often fancies she hears again the cry with which her young child yielded up its life4 ,old ,john is telling of the medicine-feast4 ,he shows us the medicine-bag which he uses3 it is an otter skin1 though sometimes a mink1 a swan1 or even a snake1 is used1 and often has he performed wonderful cures1 or executed terrible vengeance1 by the power of this medicine-bag4 ,he will not say what is the medicine which the skin contains2 whether it is a root1 or the leaf of a tree1 a precious gum1 a mineral substance1 or the bone of some animal which has been preserved for centuries4 ,he says that he breathed into the nostrils of the dead animal1 and thus imparted to it qualities which made it sacred4 ,thus has he often restored to life the dying man1 and by the same power has he cast the spell of misfortune1 disease1 and even death1 upon one he hated4 ,this is why he is so much feared4 ,feared by all1 but most by the women1 ,old ,john's eyes twinkled until you could only see a black line1 when he told how he could frighten the women in the dance1 by holding towards them the skin which contained the medicine of his clan4 ,as if to afford him an opportunity of proving the truth of his statements1 two or three squaws had just brought venison to the kitchen1 and we sent for them to pay them1 and1 at the same time1 to give them the chance of talking a little--a privilege of which all women are glad to avail themselves4 ,the picture was half done2 the medicine-man was to be represented jumping towards the women1 with his dreaded medicine-bag2 and ,old ,john assured us it was invariably the case that the person he selected from the crowd fell down as if in a fit4 ,this1 he insisted1 was purely the effect of his medicine4 ,he offered to prove this by exercising his prerogative as a medicine-man upon the women who had just entered the room4 ,the women were much fatigued1 and glad of a chance to rest4 ,they little expected to see any part of a medicine-feast celebrated in a white man's house4 ,the artist seated himself before his easel1 and commenced sketching the figure of the medicine-man4 ,old ,john stoops1 and holds the bag with both hands1 as if ready to dart it towards some person4 ,you wonder how he can retain his painful position so long a time4 ,the veins in his temple swell1 and his hands tremble1 yet he does not offer to move until the sketch is made4 ,then1 when told he is at liberty to sit down1 he gives a merry1 mischievous look towards us1 and commences going round the room1 singing with a loud voice1 holding the bag as if about to avenge on some one present a long-remembered injury4 ,the women were taken completely by surprise4 ,from the moment ,old ,john commenced his performance in earnest1 they showed every symptom of terror1 now covering their faces with their hands1 and crying ,enah6 ,enah6 and again1 as the medicine-man passed round the room1 looking after him as if he were something supernatural1 instead of being a compound of art and wickedness4 ,he was now going to embrace the opportunity that had presented itself to convince us of the ease with which he could excite the superstitious fears of these women4 ,he continued going round the room in measured time1 and it was impossible not to observe the increasing awe which was stealing upon the women4 ,he kept perfect time to his own music1 stopping the while1 as if absorbed in the thoughts attendant on the celebration of a religious ceremony--when suddenly he sprang towards the women1 holding the bag close in the face of one of them4 ,the woman sank to the ground3 a severe and stunning blow could not have had a more immediate effect on her system than the terror into which she had been thrown4 ,she lay on the ground motionless1 with her hands pressed over her eyes4 ,old ,john1 perfectly satisfied with the result of his experiment1 laid down his medicine-bag1 and seated himself on the carpet4 ,we spoke to the woman1 and endeavoured to rouse her4 ,for some minutes she appeared not to hear2 but1 after arising1 she looked as pale and ill as if she had indeed been in the presence of an evil spirit2 and she was at that very time1 for ,i doubt if in the ,sioux or any other country a more determined and hopeless reprobate could be found than ,old ,john4 ,i wondered to observe the trepidation into which a female of so strong and healthy a frame could be thrown4 ,to what could it be ascribed1 but to the influence of an all-powerful superstition on a mind chained by ignorance to its natural estate of dark degradation8 ,among the most curious ideas of the ,sioux are those concerning the ,aurora ,borealis1 which is considered a kind of goddess of war4 ,old ,john will tell you all about her2 for not only is he skilled in all that relates to the mysteries of his religion1 but1 if you will take his word for it1 he has seen all kinds of visions4 ,he will tell you how the gods look--for he has seen them at different times--and to no better person could you apply for information about the ,aurora 7as they call her1 ,waken-kedan1 the old woman74 ,he will tell you that she is one of their chief objects of worship2 that her favour and protection are invoked as a necessary preparation for going to war4 ,old ,john declares he has had several visions of the goddess4 ,when she has appeared to him1 she has given him the most minute directions as to the hiding-places of the enemy4 ,sometimes she insures success to the party2--if1 however1 she predicts misfortune1 it is sure to occur4 ,the goddess1 he says1 wears little hoops on her arms4 ,when she appears to the war-chief1 if they are to be successful1 she throws as many of these hoops on the ground as they are to take scalps4 ,these hoops resemble the hoops that the ,indians use in stretching the scalps of their enemies1 when they are preparing for the scalp dance4 ,but1 should the goddess throw broken arrows on the ground1 woe to the war-party6 for this tells the chief how many of his comrades are to be scalped1 an arrow for a scalp4 ,sometimes1 when the successful party is on its return1 it is made more triumphant by the appearance of the goddess4 ,she does not then take the form of a woman1 but quietly enfolds the heavens with her robe of light4 ,this they interpret as a favourable omen4 ,the heavens1 they say1 are rejoicing on their account2 the stars shine out brighter in honour of their victory2 while1 to use the ,indian warrior's own words1 it is as if their goddess said to them1 ,rejoice and dance1 my grandchildren1 for ,i have given you victory4 ,the old woman1 he says1 wore a cap1 on the top of which were little balls or knots1 of the same kind with which warriors adorn themselves after having killed an enemy4 ,she held in her hand an axe1 with a fringe fastened to the handle3 this represents an axe that has killed an enemy1 as it is a universal custom among the ,sioux to attach a strip of some kind of animal to the implement that was used in battle4 ,the ,aurora appears and disappears at the pleasure of the goddess1 or as she is sometimes called1 the old woman who sits in the north4 ,it is not to be wondered at that the minds of this people should be thus impressed with the brilliant flashing of the ,aurora1 in their far northern home4 ,her appearance is not always considered a favourable omen4 ,sometimes it is a warning of coming danger4 ,the mind1 overwhelmed with ignorance and superstition1 is apt to read darkly the signs of nature2 while a prospect of success in any contemplated undertaking will change the interpretation4 99 99 99 99 99 ,old ,john loves to tell of another of his gods1 the meteor2 of this god they stand in great awe1 calling him ,waken-ne-ken-dah1 or man of fire4 ,he strides through the air to punish recreant ,indians1 who forget the claims of the ,great ,spirit upon them4 ,around this god is ever a circle of fire1 while small meteors flow from this great fiery man4 ,in each hand he holds a war-club of bone1 and every blow is fatal to that ,sioux who deserves his condemnation4 ,he is said to be very wily1 attacking the ,indians when they are asleep4 ,on this account ,sioux are often timid about sleeping out of doors2 they have traditions of ,indians having been carried off by these errant meteors4 ,old ,john thinks the great fiery man does not deserve a reputation for bravery1 as he never attacks a waking foe4 ,he says there was once a ,sioux who1 tired and sleepy1 laid down1 rolling himself in his blanket1 though the weather was hot1 for the musquitoes were biting him1 and rendering it impossible that he should obtain any rest4 ,the first thing of which he was conscious was the sensation of being whirled through the air1 passing over miles of prairies and forests with the speed of light4 ,all at once they approached a small pond1 which was full of mallard duck4 ,the appearance of the meteor threw the inhabitants of the lake into the greatest trepidation1 and in consequence a most unearthly quacking took place4 ,the fiery man not being aware of the cause of this commotion1 never having seen a duck1 dropped his affrighted burden1 gladly making his way back to the regions of space4 ,but it will be impossible to get anything more from ,old ,john to-day3 the savoury fumes of the kitchen have reached our sitting-room4 ,he has done with the arts and with religion2 he is enough of a philosopher to take the goods the gods provide3 and the hearty dinner that he ate showed that the mystical attributes of a medicine-man did not prohibit him from the indulgence of his appetite2 while the ,sioux women were well repaid for their venison and their fright by some gaudy calico1 for okendokendas1 and a few needles1 thread1 and some other notions1 of great value among them4 ,a ,,remonstrance4 ,,by ,,eliza ,l4 ,,sproat4 ,while the warm1 sweet earth rejoices1 ,and the forests1 old and dim1 ,populous with little voices1 ,raise their trilling hymn1-- ,chime our notes in joyous pleading ,with the million-tond day2 ,we are young1 and ,time is speeding-- ,sweet ,time1 stay6 ,we would hold the hasty hours1 ,ope them to the glowing core1 ,leaf by leaf1 like folded flowers1 ,till they glow no more4 ,we are mated with the ,present1 ,bosom friends with dear ,to-day3 ,loving best the latest minute1 ,sweet ,time1 stay6 ,sovereign ,youth6 all dainty spirits ,wait on us from earth and air2 ,from the common life distilling ,but its essence rare4 ,golden sounds1 to ,age so leaden1 ,eden sights1 to ,age so drear3 ,sweet illusions1 subtle feelings1 ,age would smile to hear4 ,happy ,youth6 when fearless bosoms ,with their wealth of follies rare1 ,loose their thoughts1 like summer blossoms1 ,to the generous air1 ,when we sit and mock at sorrow1 ,looking in each other's eyes2 ,greeting every new to-morrow ,with a new surprise4 ,father ,time1 if thou wert longing ,for a luxury of rest1 ,i know where the moss is greenest1 ,over toward the west3 ,i would hide thee where the shadows ,cheat the curious eye of day2 ,i would bury thee in blossoms-- ,sweet ,time1 stay6 ,where the bees are ever prosing1 ,lulling all the air profound2 ,where the wanton poppies1 dozing1 ,hang their heads around2 ,where the rill is tripping ever1 ,trilling ever on its way1 ,tinkle1 tinkle1 tinkle1 tinkle1 ,all the happy day4 ,i would keep thee softly dreaming1 ,dreaming of eternity1 ,till the birds forget their sleeping ,in the general glee2 ,till the stars would lean from heaven ,in the very face of day1 ,looking vainly for the even-- ,sweet ,time1 stay6 ,hope is with us1 chaunting ever ,of some fair untried to be2 ,lurking ,love hath prisoned never ,hearts so glad and free3 ,yet1 unseen1 a fairy splendour ,o'er the prosing world he flings2 ,everywhere we hear the rushing ,of his rising wings4 ,as the tender crescent holdeth ,all the moon within its rim1 ,so the silver present foldeth ,all the future dim3 ,oh6 the prophet moon is sweetest1 ,and the life is best to-day2 ,life is best when ,time is fleetest-- ,sweet ,time1 stay6 ,a ,,fine ,,art ,,disregarded4 ,,by ,,elizabeth ,,wetherell1 ,,author ,,of ,,the ,,wide1 ,,wide ,,world4 ,a man that looks on glass ,on it may stay his eye2 ,or1 if he pleaseth1 through it pass3 ,and then the heaven espy4 ,i took a walk with my father last evening4 ,now the pleasure of this walk was so great that ,i will even jot down some notes of its history4 ,it was just the pretty time of a summer's day1--the sun's parting smile1 when he has a mind to leave a pleasant impression behind him3 the hot hours were past2 the remnant of a sweet north wind1 which had been blowing all day1 just filled the sails of one or two sloops1 and carried them lazily down the bay2 and the sun1 having taken up his old trade of a painter1 coloured their white canvass for the very spots it filled in the picture3 the same witching pencil was upon a magnificent rose-bush at the foot of the lawn1 tinting its flowers for fairy-land2 and had laid little stripes of fairy light across the lately-mown grass2 and1 through a slight haze of the delicious atmosphere1 the hills were mellowed to a painter's wish4 ,my father and ,i strolled down the walk1 and took one or two turns almost in silence1 tasting all this too keenly at first to say much about it4 ,there were beauties near hand too4 ,the rose-trees had shaken out all their luxuriance1 and defied the eye to admire aught else4 ,yet1 but for them1 there was enough to be admired4 ,the pure ,campanulas looked modestly confident of attractions2 little ,gilias filled their place in the world passing well2 the sweet double pinks gave us a most good-humoured face as we went by2 the tall white lily-buds showed beautiful indications2 and some rare geraniums1 and my splendid ,english heart's-ease quietly disdained or declined competition4 ,and in that evening-light1 even the flowers of humbler name and lower pretension1 looked as if they cared not for it4 ,sprawling bachelor's-buttons1 and stiff sweet-williams1 and pert chrysanthemums1 all were pretty under the sun's blessing2 ,i think none were overlooked4 ,how much pleasure we take in at the eye6 said my father4 ,where the eye has been opened1 said ,i4 ,ay4 ,how many people go through the world with their eyes tight shut2--not certainly to every matter of practical utility1 but shut to all beautiful ends4 ,oh1 those practical eyes6--the eyes that have no vision but for the useful1--what wearisome things they are6 ,it is but a moderate portion of the useful that they see1 said my father2--it was not an empty gratuity that things were made 'pleasant to the eyes4' ,but how the eye needs to be educated1 said ,i4 ,rather the mind1 ,cary1 said my father4 ,let the mind be educated to bring its faculty and taste into full play1 and it will train its own spies fast enough4 ,it was that ,i meant1 papa1--that cultivation of taste2--,i was thinking1 before you spoke what a blessing it is4 ,why1 yes1 said my father2 with that piece to bring down game1 one is in less danger of mental starvation4 ,but hush2 here comes somebody that won't understand you4 ,and as he spoke1 ,i saw the trim little figure of ,mrs4 ,roberts1 one of our neighbours1 come in sight round a turn in the shrubbery4 ,what a lovely evening1 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 said ,i1 as we met4 ,delicious6--such charming weather for the grass and the dairy1 and everything4 ,it was so fine1 ,i told ,mr4 ,roberts ,i would just run down and see your mamma for a minute2 ,i wanted to ask her a question4 ,i shall find her at home1 shan't ,i8 ,i satisfied ,mrs4 ,roberts on that point1 and my father and ,i turned to walk back to the house with her1 thinking that our pleasure was over4 ,the roses are in great beauty now1 ,i remarked4 ,beautiful6--and what an immense quantity of them you have4 ,i don't know what ails our roses1 but we can't make them do1 somehow4 ,they seem to get a kind of blight when they're about half open1 and what are not blighted are full of bugs4 ,what do you do with the bugs8 ,i don't see that you have any4 ,i suggested the effectiveness of daily hand-picking4 ,oh1 but bless me6 it's so much trouble4 ,mr4 ,roberts would never let the time be taken for it4 ,how stout your grass is6 ,it's a great deal stouter than ours4 ,there's half as much again of it1 ,i'm sure4 ,and you're cutting it6 ,we haven't begun to cut yet2 ,mr4 ,roberts thought he'd let it stand as long as he could1 to give it a chance2 but ,i'm sure it's time4 ,what do you do with all your roses8--make rose-water8 ,i said no4 ,i never saw such a quantity6 ,i'll tell you what--if you'll send me a basket or two of 'em1 ,i'll make some rose-water1 and you shall have half of it4 ,oh1 what beautiful heart's-ease6 ,my dear ,caroline1 you must just give me one of those for my girls1 for a pattern2 you know they are making artificial flowers1 and they want some of these for their bonnets4 ,really1 they are quite equal to the ,french ones1 ,i think1 and--thank you6--that is superb4 ,now1 my dear ,caroline1 one more--that one with so much yellow in it2--want a little variety1 you know4 ,they will be delighted4 ,you know it is just the fashion4 ,i did not1 indeed1 ,mrs4 ,roberts4 ,didn't you8 ,they wear little open bonnets of some light straw--rice is the prettiest1 or some kind of open-work--and here1 at the side1 just here1 a bunch of heart's-ease1 right against the side of the head2--it is very elegant4 ,caroline has bad taste1 said my father gravely2 she never wears heart's-ease in a bonnet4 ,o no1 of course1 not these1--she is too careful of them--but you know false heart's-ease1 ,i mean4 ,no1 go on with your walk--you shall not come in--,i am not going to stay a minute4 ,and my father and ,i quietly turned about and went down the walk again4 ,false heart's-ease6 said my father4 ,what a different thing all this scene is to those eyes1 and to ours1 papa4 ,yes1 said my father4 ,poor woman6--she carries a portable kitchen and store-closet in her head1 ,i believe1 and everything she sees goes into the one or the other4 ,poor ,mrs4 ,roberts6 said ,i1 laughing4 ,now that is the want of cultivation1 papa4 ,not entirely1 perhaps4 ,there must be soil first to cultivate1 ,cary4 ,well1 her want is the same4 ,and how much is lost for that want6 ,lost8--what is lost8 said another voice behind us2 and turning1 we welcomed another and a very different neighbour1 in our old friend ,mr4 ,ricardo4 ,what is lost8 ,happiness1 said ,i4 ,for the want of what8 ,for the want of a cultivated taste4 ,pshaw6 said ,mr4 ,ricardo1 letting go my hand4 ,that has nothing to do with happiness4 ,do you think so1 sir8 ,certainly4 ,what can a cultivated taste do for you1 but create imaginary wants1 that you would do just as well without8 ,if you have not them1 you have not the exquisite pleasure of gratifying them4 ,well1 and what if you haven't8 ,how are you the worse off8 ,the want that is not known is not felt4 ,but the range of pleasure is a very different thing without them1 said ,i4 ,and character is a very different thing1 said my father4 ,character8 said ,mr4 ,ricardo4 ,yes1 said my father4 ,i should like to hear you make that out4 ,and so should ,i1 said ,i4 ,i was arguing only for enjoyment--,i did not venture so far as that4 ,well1 enjoyment1 said ,mr4 ,ricardo4 ,do you think you have more enjoyment here now1 than one of the plain sons of the soil1 who would see nothing in roses but roses1 and who would call ',viola tricolor' a ',johnny-jump-up8' ,in the first place1 learning is not taste2 and1 in the second place1 you do not mean what you say1 ,mr4 ,ricardo4 ,you know what ,dr4 ,johnson says of the quart pot and the pint pot--both may be equally full1 but the one holds twice as much as the other4 ,ah1 ,dr4 ,johnson6 said ,mr4 ,ricardo1 with an odd little flourishing wave of his hand2 you delude yourself6 ,the quart pot is twice as likely to be spilled4 ,if you have some pleasures that other people haven't1 you have pains of your own1 too1 that they are exempt from4 ,now ,i suppose a little mal-adjustment of proportions--a little deviating from the exquisite line of correctness in men or things--would overturn your whole cup of enjoyment1 while his or mine would stand as firm as ever4 ,but perhaps a sip of mine would be worth his entire cupful4 ,now1 said ,mr4 ,ricardo1 not minding me1 ,i fell in with a family once--it was at the ,west1 when ,i was travelling there4 ,they were good1 plain1 sensible1 excellent people1 happy in each other1 and contented with the rest of the world4 ,they had everything within themselves1 and lived in the greatest comfort1 and harmony1 and plenty4 ,i was with them several days1 and it occurred to me that people could not be happier than they were4 ,but for your bringing them up as instances1 ,i suppose their having 'everything within themselves' did not include the pleasures of a cultivated intelligence8 ,well1 ,i don't suppose they would have quoted ,dr4 ,johnson to me4 ,but now of what use to them would be all that extra cultivation8 ,of what use to you1 said my father1 is that window you had cut in your library this spring1 that looks to the west8 ,of very little use1 said ,mr4 ,ricardo1 for my wife sits in it all the time4 ,ah1 ,mr4 ,ricardo6 said ,i1 laughing4 ,well1 now1 said he1 but his face gave way a little1 how are you any better off than those people8 ,i don't wish to make myself an example1 sir2 but put them down here this evening1 and what would they see in all this that we have been enjoying8 ,they would see what you see1 ,i suppose4 ,they had reasonably good eyes--they were not microscopes or telescopes4 ,precisely1 said my father4 ,they would see what mere ordinary vision could take in1 without the quick discernment of finely trained sensibilities1 and without the far-reaching and wide views of a mind rich in knowledge and associations4 ,where cultivated senses find a rare mingling of flavours1 theirs would at best only perceive the difference of stronger or fainter--of more or less sweet4 ,senses literal or figurative1 do you mean8 ,both1 said my father4 ,you rarely find the one cultivated without the other4 ,you may find the other without the one1 said ,mr4 ,ricardo4 ,i knew a man once who had no aptness for anything but judging of wines1 and he was curious at that4 ,he did it mostly by the sense of smell1 too4 ,all the mind the man had seemed to reside in his nose4 ,that is an instance of morbid development1 said my father1 smiling1 not in point4 ,you would have thought it was in point1 if you had seen him1 said ,mr4 ,ricardo1 glancing at my father4 ,but the pleasures of a cultivated taste1 ,mr4 ,ricardo1 said ,i1 may be constantly enjoyed2 and they are some of the purest1 and most satisfying1 and most unmixed that we have4 ,and1 ,i maintain1 of the most useful1 said my father4 ,to the character1 said ,mr4 ,ricardo4 ,but ,i do not believe that1 where they most prevail1 are to be found in general the strongest minds or the most hopeful class of our population4 ,my good sir1 said my father1 do not confound things that have nothing to do with each other4 ,that may be true1 and it may be equally true of sundry other matters1 such as correct pronunciation and the usages of polite society1 ,mocha coffee and fine broadcloth1--none of which1 ,i hope1 have any deleterious effect upon mind4 ,well1 go on1 said ,mr4 ,ricardo1 without looking at him1 let us hear how you make out your case4 ,learning to draw nice distinctions1 to feel shades of difference1 becoming alive to the perception and enjoyment of most fine and delicate influences1 the mind acquires a habit of being which will discover itself in other matters than those of pure taste4 ,this faculty of nice discrimination and quick feeling cannot be in high exercise in one department alone1 without being applied more or less generally to other subjects4 ,it will develope itself in the ordinary intercourse and relations of social and domestic life1 and the tendency will be to the producing or perfecting of that nice sense of proprieties1 that quick feeling of what is due to or from others1 which we call tact4 ,but tact cannot be given1 papa1 said ,i4 ,and how is it useful if it could8 said ,mr4 ,ricardo4 ,useful8 said my father1 meditating--why1 sir1 the want of it is a death-blow to ,i know not what proportion of the efforts that are made after usefulness4 ,how many an appeal from the pulpit has been ruined1 simply by bringing in a coarse or unhappy figure1 which the speaker's want of cultivation did not allow him to appreciate6 ,how many a word1 intended for counsel or kindness1 has fallen to the ground1 because the kindly person did not know how to work out his intentions6 ,but1 you cannot give tact1 father1 ,i repeated4 ,no1 ,cary--that is true--tact cannot be given2 it is the growth only of minds endowed with peculiarly fine sensibilities2 but the mind trained to nice judging in one set of matters can exercise the same acumen upon others1 so soon as its attention is fairly called out to them4 ,taste is a thing of particular growth and cultivation in each separate branch2 but certainly the mind that has attained high excellence in one is finely prepared to take lessons in another4 ,there may be something in that1 said ,mr4 ,ricardo1 as if he thought there wasn't much4 ,but1 beyond that1 said my father1 the cultivation of taste opens truly a new world of enjoyment utterly closed to every one destitute of it4 ,nature's stores of beauty and wonder1 the fine analogies of moral truth that lie hidden under them1 the new setting forth of nature which is ,art's beautiful work1--how numberless1 how measureless the sources of pleasure to the mind once quickened to see and taste them6 ,once quickened1 it will not cease to rejoice in them1 and more and more4 ,and as the mind always assimilates itself to those objects with which it is very conversant1 and as these sources of pleasure are all pure1 it follows1 that not only a refined but a purifying influence also is at work in all this2 and the result should be1 if nothing untoward counteract1 that everything gross1 everything improper1 in the strict sense of the word1 everything unseemly1 unlovely1 impure1 becomes disgustful1 and more and more4 ,and whatever is the reverse of these meets with a juster appreciation1 a keener relish1 a truer love than could be felt for them by a mind not so cultivated4 ,this refining and purifying effect will be seen in the whole character4 ,it will make those solid qualities1 which are1 indeed1 more worth in themselves1 show with yet new lustre and tell with higher effect1 and not the outward attire only1 but the very inward graces of the mind will be worn with a more perfect adjustment4 ,hum--well1 said ,mr4 ,ricardo1 about a minute after my father had done speaking1 you have made a pretty fair case of it4 ,my father smiled1 and we all three paced up and down the walk in silence4 ,i thought we had done with the subject4 ,that's a beautiful sky6 said ,mr4 ,ricardo1 coming to a stand1 with his face to the west4 ,look down yonder1 said my father4 ,in the southwestern quarter lay a beautiful fleecy mass of cloud3 the under edges touched with exquisite rose-colour1 sailing slowly down the sky--pushed by that same faint north wind4 ,just over it--just over it1 sat a little star1 shining at us with its unchanging ray4 ,would your ,tennessee friends see enough there to hold their thoughts for half a minute8 said ,i1 when we had looked as long2 but ,mr4 ,ricardo did not answer me4 ,that painted cloud1 said my father1 is like the pleasures of earth--catching the eye with fair hues2 the star1 like the better pleasures1 that have their source above the earth4 ,that light fills1 indeed1 it may be1 a much smaller space in our eye1 or our fancy1 than the colours on the cloud2 but mark1--it is pure1 bright1 and undying1 while the other is a vapour1 that appeareth for a little time1 and then vanisheth away4 ,i looked at the star1 and ,i looked at my father1 and my heart was full4 ,i thought ,mr4 ,ricardo had got enough1 and ,i think he thought so too1 for when we reached the far end of the walk1 he left us1 with a very hearty shake of the hand1 indeed4 ,my father and ,i walked then1 without talking any more1 till glow after glow passed away and night had set in4 ,the little cloud had lost all its fair colours1 and had drifted far down into the southern sky1 a soft rack of gray vapour1 and the star was shining steadily and brightly as ever in the deepening blue4 ,illustration3 ,c4 ,schuessele del4 ,drawn by ,capt4 ,s4 ,eastman4 ,chromolith of ,p4 ,s4 ,duval ,phil4 ,,mission ,,chapel ,,of ,,san ,,jose1 ,,near ,,san ,,antonio1 ,,texas4 ,,the ,,mission ,,church ,,of ,,san ,,jos4#ai ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 ,not far from ,san ,antonio1 ,stands the ,church of ,san ,jos2 ,brightly its walls are gilded ,with the sun's departing ray4 ,the long grass twines the arches through1 ,and1 stirred by evening air1 ,wave gracefully the vine's dark leaves1 ,and bends the prickly pear4 ,high1 from its broken1 mouldering top1 ,the holy cross looks down1 ,while round the open portals stand ,figures of saints in stone4 ,and round its ancient spires1 ,in the turrets wide and high1 ,while you watch the night-birds flap their wings1 ,you hear their piercing cry4 ,and ever and anon the bats1 ,in clusters1 seek their homes1 ,as night1 with shrouding mantle1 ,on the ,mission ,chapel comes4 ,oh6 'twas not thus1 when ,jesuit priests ,their chaunt at evening sung1 ,as1 echoing o'er the river's shores1 ,the vesper bells were rung4 ,now1 while we linger round its walls1 ,its history would we learn8-- ,how ,san ,jos's walls and spires rose up8-- ,to its legends we must turn4 ,in learning high1 and cunning deep1 ,with wealth and numbers1 come-- ,christians to make the red men all-- ,these haughty priests of ,rome4 ,did they tell them they were brothers8 ,that every human heart ,was a link in love's great chain-- ,of salvation's scheme a part8 ,not they3 they bade them hew the stone1 ,and bear its heavy weight2 ,and1 while they used the ,indian's strength1 ,they gained his fiercest hate4 ,but towers1 and spires1 and steeples rise1 ,and the ,church of ,san ,jos ,arrests the traveller1 who kneels1 ,then passes on his way4 ,turning once more1 to bend before ,the ,virgin and her ,son1 ,the ,cherubim and ,seraphim ,from his strained gaze are gone4 ,no converts from the red men ,made these haughty priests of ,rome2 ,but still on ignorance and vice ,the holy cross looked down1 ,though ,jesus1 with the crown of thorns1 ,the offering made for sin1 ,and the vase of holy water1 ,borne by angels1 stood within4 ,rich tapestries1 and gilded signs1 ,and images stood forth1 ,and the patron saint1 ,san ,jos-- ,were all these nothing worth8 ,the red man's heart is adamant1 ,thus do the ,jesuits say2 ,unmoved they see these splendours-- ,unchanged they turn away4 ,not under stern and unjust rule ,the red man's heart will melt1 ,but by such gentle1 sorrowing love1 ,as ,christ for mortals felt4 ,oh6 that the star might shine for them1 ,that unto us is given1 ,to cheer our dreary path on earth1 ,and guide our steps to heaven4 ,let the ruins of her glory stand1 ,a monument to art2 ,but the temple of the ,living ,god ,should be the human heart2 ,while mouldering in tower and wall1 ,and bending in decay1 ,do we gaze upon this chapel fair1 ,the ,church of ,san ,jos4 ,footnote #ai3 ,san ,jos is the most interesting of the ruins of the mission chapels in ,texas4 ,there are five of them1--the chapel of the ,alamo1 at ,san ,antonio2 ,chapel of ,conception1 two miles from ,san ,antonio2 ,chapel of ,san ,jos1 five miles from ,san ,antonio2 ,chapel of ,san ,juan1 ten miles from the same place2 and one other near ,goliad4 ,these chapels were built by the ,jesuits1 at the time when they contemplated ,christianizing the ,indians of ,mexico4 ,the ,indians were obliged to assist in the labour4 ,the chapels are all in a state of ruin4 ,on the top of ,san ,jos1 near the large cross at its foot1 a peach tree grows4 ,occasionally there is some sort of service performed in them4 ,there is a great deal of carving about them1 and remains of former splendour2 but they have become refuges for the bats and owls1 which are for ever flying in and about them4 ,,hawking4 ,,by ,,edith ,,may4 ,she had drawn rein within the castle court ,under its arching gateway1 and there stood1 ,curbing the hot steed that1 with upreared hoofs1 ,bearing upon the gilded bit1 pressed forward4 ,her eyes had measured distance1 and her lips1 ,parted and eager1 seemed to drink the air ,now fresh with morning1 and her light form kept ,its throne exultingly4 ,a single plume ,waved from her hunting-cap1 and the quick wind ,close to the floating ringlets of her hair ,pressed down its snowy fringes4 ,but the folds ,of her rich dress hung motionless1 and its hem ,swept to the shaven turf4 ,near by1 a page ,held in a leash of greyhounds1 and a hawk ,sat hooded on the bend of her gloved wrist4 ,,hillside ,,cottage4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,julia ,c4 ,r4 ,,dorr4 ,there was no spot in all ,elmwood that we children so dearly loved to visit as ,hillside ,cottage4 ,no matter where our wanderings began--whether we started for the meadow1 in pursuit of the rich strawberry--for the thick woods1 where the wild flowers bloomed so luxuriantly1 and the bright scarlet clusters of the partridge-berry1 contrasting beautifully with its dark green leaves1 sprang up at our feet--for the brook1 to gather the shining pebbles1 or to watch the speckled trout1 as they darted swiftly through the water--no matter where our wanderings began1 it was a strange thing if they did not terminate somewhere about the sweet wild place where ,aunt ,mary lived4 ,now1 prythee1 gentle reader1 do not picture to your mind's eye a stately mansion with an unpretending name1 when you read of ,hillside ,cottage4 ,neither was it a cottage orne1 with piazzas1 and columns1 and ,venetian blinds4 ,it was a low-roofed dwelling1 and its walls had never been visited by a single touch of the painter's brush3 but the wild vines had sprung up around it1 until their interlacing tendrils formed a beautiful network nearly all over the little building2 and the moss upon the roof had been gathering there for many years1 growing thicker and greener after the snows of each succeeding winter had rested upon it4 ,it stood1 as the name given it by the villagers indicated1 upon the hillside1 just in the edge of the woods that nearly covered the rounded summit of the hill2 a little rivulet danced along1 almost beneath the very windows1 and at a short distance below fell over a ledge of rocks1 forming a small but beautiful cascade1 then1 tired of its gambols1 it flowed onwards as demurely as if it had never leaped gaily in the sunlight1 or frolicked1 like a child at play1 with every flower that bent to kiss its bright waters4 ,we thought there was no place where the birds sang half so sweetly1 or where the air was so laden with fragrance2 and sure am ,i there was no place where we were more cordially welcomed than in ,aunt ,mary's cottage4 ,i well remember ,aunt ,mary's first arrival in ,elmwood4 ,for two or three weeks it had been rumoured that the cottage on the hill was to receive a new tenant4 ,some slight repairs were going on1 and some one had seen a wagon1 loaded with furniture1 unladen at the door4 ,this was enough to excite village curiosity2 and when we assembled in the church1 the next ,sabbath1 ,i fear that more than one eye wandered from the pulpit to the door1 to catch the first glimpse of our new neighbour4 ,just as our old pastor was commencing the morning service1 a lady1 entirely unattended1 came slowly up the aisle1 and entered the pew designated by the sexton4 ,her tall and graceful figure was robed in deepest black1 and it was evident that grief1 rather than years1 had dimmed the brightness of her eye1 and driven the rich colouring of youth and health from her cheek4 ,but there was something in the quiet1 subdued glance of those large1 thoughtful eyes1 in the intellect that seemed throned upon her lofty forehead1 and in the sweet and tender expression that played around her small and delicately formed mouth1 that more than compensated for the absence of youthful bloom and freshness4 ,i did not think of these things then2 but1 child that ,i was1 after one glance ,i shrank back in my seat1 awe-struck and abashed by the dignity of her bearing4 ,yet when she rose from her knees1 and ,i caught another glimpse of her pale face1 my little heart seemed drawn towards her by some powerful spell2 and after service was concluded1 as we passed down the aisle side by side1 ,i timidly placed in her hand a wild rose ,i had gathered on my way to church4 ,she took it with a smile1 and in a sweet low voice thanked me for the simple gift4 ,our homes lay in the same direction1 and ere we reached my father's gate ,i imagined myself well acquainted with ,miss ,atherton4 ,from that hour my visits to ,hillside ,cottage were neither few nor far between4 ,my parents laughed at my enthusiastic praises of my new friend2 but they soon became assured that they were well grounded3 and it was not long before the answer1 ,oh1 she has only gone to see ,aunt ,mary1 was the most satisfactory one that could be given to the oft-repeated query1 ,where in the world has ,jessie gone now8 ,she lived almost the life of a recluse2 seldom mingling with the villagers1 save in the services of the sanctuary1 or when1 like a ministering angel1 she hovered around the couch of the dying4 ,formed to be an ornament to any circle1 and to attract admiration and attention wherever she moved1 she yet shrank from public notice1 and was rarely seen1 except by those who sought her society in her own little cottage4 ,to those few it was evident that her love of seclusion was rather the effect of some deep grief1 that had in early life cast its shadow over her pathway1 than the constitutional tendency of her mind4 ,hers was a character singularly lovely and symmetrical4 ,with a mind strong1 clear1 and discriminating1 she yet possessed all those finer shades of fancy and feeling1 all that confiding tenderness1 all those womanly sympathies1 and all that delicacy and refinement of thought and manner which1 in the opinion of many1 can rarely be found in woman1 combined with a high degree of talent4 ,love of the beautiful and sublime was with her almost a passion1 and conversing with her1 when animated by her favourite theme1 was like reading a page of rare poetry1 or gazing upon a series of paintings1 the work of a well-skilled hand4 ,years passed on4 ,the little village of ,elmwood had increased in size1 if not in comeliness3 the old church had given place to one of statelier mien and prouder vestments1 and the winding lane1 with its primroses and violets1 had become a busy street1 with tall rows of brick bordering it on either side4 ,but still the cottage on the hill remained quiet and peaceful as ever1 undisturbed by the changes that were at work beneath it4 ,a silver thread might now and then be traced amid the abundant raven tresses that were parted on ,aunt ,mary's forehead2 and my childish curls had grown darker1 and were arranged with more precision than of yore4 ,yet still the friendship of earlier years remained unbroken1 and a week seldom passed without finding me at ,hillside ,cottage4 ,my visits had of late been more frequent than ever1 for the time was drawing near when our intimacy must be interrupted4 ,i was soon to leave my father's roof1 for a new home in a far-off clime1 and to exchange the love and tenderness that had ever been lavished upon me there for a nearer and more engrossing attachment4 ,it was the evening before my bridal4 ,i had stolen away unperceived1 for ,i could not resist the temptation of one more quiet chat with ,aunt ,mary4 ,i scarcely expected you to-night1 my dear ,jessie1 said she1 as ,i entered1 but you are none the less welcome4 ,do you know ,i am very selfish to-night8 ,when ,i ought to be rejoicing in your happiness1 my heart is heavy1 because ,i feel that ,i can no longer be to you what ,i have been1 chief friend and confidant4 ,oh6 ,i shall indeed miss my little ,jessie4 ,you will always be to me just what you have been1 ,aunt ,mary1 ,i replied1 and tears filled my eyes1 as ,i threw myself upon a low seat at her feet4 ,you must not think that because ,i am a wife1 ,i shall love my old friends any the less3 and you of all others1 you who have been to me as a dear1 dear elder sister1--you who have instructed and counselled me1 and have shared all my thoughts and feelings since ,i was a little child2 oh6 do you think any one can come between our hearts8 ,we may not meet as frequently as we have done1 but you will ever find me just the same1 and ,i shall tell you all my thoughts1 and all my cares and sorrows1 and all my joys too1 just as ,i always have done4 ,no1 no1 ,jessie1 say not so4 ,that may not be4 ,you may love me just as well1 but you will love another more4 ,your heart cannot be open to me as it has been1 for it will belong to another4 ,its hopes1 its fears1 its joys1 its sorrows1 its cares1 its love1 will all be so intimately blended with those of another1 that they cannot be separated4 ,no wife1 provided the relations existing between her husband and herself are what they should be1 can be to any other friend exactly what she was before her marriage4 ,why1 ,aunt ,mary6--you surely do not mean to say that a wife should never have any confidential friends8 ,the history of woman1 dear ,jessie1 is generally simply a record of the workings of her own heart2 in ordinary cases1 she has little else to consider4 ',the world of the affections is her world1' and there finds she her appropriate sphere of action4 ,what ,i mean to say is1--not that a wife should have no friend save her husband1--but that1 if the hearts of the twain are as closely linked together as they should be1 if they always beat in perfect unison1 and if their thoughts and feelings harmonize as they ought to do1 it will be difficult for her to draw aside the veil from her own heart1 and lay it open to the gaze of any other being1 without1 in some degree1 betraying the confidence reposed in her by him who should be nearer and dearer than all the world beside4 ,the heart is like a temple1 ,jessie4 ,it has its outer and its inner court1 and it has also its holy of holies4 ,the outer court is full3 common acquaintances1--those that we call friends1 merely because they are not enemies1--are gathered there4 ,the inner court but few may enter1--the few who we feel love us1 and to whom we are united by the strong bonds of sympathy2 but the sanctum sanctorum1 the holy of holies1 that must never be profaned by alien footsteps1 or by the tread of any1 save him to whom the wife hath said1 ',whither thou goest ,i will go1 thy people shall be my people1 and thy ,god my ,god4' ,the deepening twilight hung over us1 wrapping all things in its sombre mantle1 and its solemn stillness fell with soft1 subduing power upon our hearts1 as we sat1 for many moments1 each lost in reverie1 ere ,i spoke again4 ,aunt ,mary1 why were you never married8 ,rather an abrupt question that1 my love4 ,what if ,i say1 in the words of the old song1 because 'nobody ever came wooing me8' ,nay1 nay1 ,aunt ,mary1 ,i know you have never passed through life unloved1 and ,i have sometimes fancied not unloving either4 ,but pardon me1 ,i fear my obtrusive curiosity has given you pain1 ,i added quickly1 as in the dim light ,i saw that her pale cheek was growing still paler1 and that deep1 though subdued1 anguish was stamped in legible characters upon her brow4 ,i have nought to pardon1 my child1 for our long familiarity has given you a right to ask the question2 and ,i wonder that you have never made the inquiry before1 rather than that you make it now4 ,the history of my early life is a sad one1 but you shall hear it1 and know why ,i am now such a lone and isolated being4 ,upon the early part of my life it will be necessary for me to dwell but slightly4 ,my childhood passed dreamily away1 marked by no event of sufficient importance to leave a very deep impression upon my mind4 ,an only child1 ,i was my father's idol1 and he loved me none the less tenderly1 because the destroying angel had snatched his young wife from his bosom1 and ,i was all that was left to him of her4 ,i was very young when my mother died--too young to appreciate the magnitude of my loss1 or to feel that ,i was motherless4 ,yet ,i have an indistinct recollection of a sweet1 girlish face1 that used to bend over my couch1 and of a melodious voice that was wont to lull me to my baby slumbers4 ,the remembrance is a very faint one1 but ,i have never thought of angels in my dreams1 or in my waking hours1 when the vision did not wear the semblance of my mother's face1 nor of angel voices without in fancy hearing again my mother's low1 soft tones4 ,as ,i grew older1 the best instructors in the country were procured for me1 and ,i was taught all the accomplishments of the day1 while1 at the same time1 ,i was not allowed to neglect any of the plainer1 but equally important branches of female education4 ,at last my education was completed1 and ',i came out' under auspices as flattering as those under which any young girl ever made her debut upon the stage of life4 ,the harsh fingers of ,time have wrought such changes upon my face and form1 that you may find it difficult to believe that in my youth ,i was called beautiful4 ,yet so it was1 and this1 together with my father's station in society and reputation for wealth1 drew a crowd of admirers around me4 ,one of my father's chief sources of delight1 was the exercise of an almost prodigal hospitality1 and he dearly loved to see me1 attired with all the elegance that his ample means could afford1 presiding at his table1 or moving among our guests1 in his fond eyes 'the star of the goodly companie4' ,it was by the bedside of his dying sister1 that ,i first met ,walter ,elmore4 ,effie had been a schoolmate of mine1 and an intimate friendship had sprung up between us4 ,sisterless as ,i was1 ,i had learned to cherish for her almost a sister's love4 ,soon after we left school1 her father removed his residence from a distant part of the country to the city near which mine resided1 and our girlish attachment was cemented and strengthened1 as we entered1 hand in hand1 upon the duties and pleasures of early womanhood4 ,effie's constitution was naturally weak1 and she had been subject from her childhood to a slight cough2 but her friends gave little heed to it1 as the buoyancy of her spirits and her unchanged demeanour seemed to preclude the idea of any seated complaint4 ,but the destroyer came1 and disease had made fearful havoc before we awoke to a sense of her danger4 ,i was with her day and night for a few weeks1 and then ,effie ,elmore1 in her youth and loveliness1 slept the 'sleep that knows no waking4' ,her brother1 of whom ,i had often heard her speak in terms of enthusiastic fondness1 had been abroad1 completing his studies1 and ,i never met him until we stood1 side by side1 gazing upon the calm1 still face of the beautiful being whom we both so tenderly loved4 ,it is needless for me to say that from that hour we met often4 ,at my father's house he became a frequent and a welcome guest2 and we met too1 at no distant intervals1 by ,effie's grave1 in her favourite walks1 and in every nook that had been made sacred by her presence4 ,we thought that it was our mutual love for the departed that drew us together2 we thought it was her memory1 and the recollection of the hour when first we met1 that made us seek each other's society1 and that rendered the moments we spent together so dear to us both2 but ah me6 but few months had rolled over our heads before we found that it was even a stronger tie2 that it was the mystic chain that binds heart to heart1 the deep love of congenial spirits4 ,and ,walter ,elmore was indeed one that any maiden might be proud of loving4 ,his face and figure were cast in nature's finest mould4 ,but that were nothing--it is of the nobleness of his character of which ,i would speak4 ,proud and high-spirited even to a fault1 he could not stoop to a mean or unworthy action4 ,generous and confiding1 his soul was filled with all true and noble impulses1 and his heart was the home of pure and elevated affections4 ,his intellectual powers were such as to win the admiration and esteem of all who knew him1 and he possessed also the rare gift of eloquence1--a gift that seldom fails to find its way to a woman's heart4 ,what wonder was it then that ,i yielded mine to him wholly and unreservedly1 and soon learned to listen for his footstep1 as ,i listened for no other8 ,my father smiled upon his suit1 and gave it his unqualified approbation4 ,elmore was not wealthy1 but his family was one of the first in the country1 and my father was proud of his brilliant talents and untarnished name4 ,i had wealth enough for both1 and it was decided that upon my twentieth birthday our nuptials should be celebrated4 ,alas6 how little know we of the future6 ,ere that day came1 ,i was penniless--,i had almost said a penniless orphan4 ,my father's capital was all invested in the business transactions of two of the oldest1 and1 it was supposed1 the wealthiest houses in ,new ,york4 ,two successive weeks brought news of the failure of both firms1 and he found himself1 when far advanced in life1 stripped of the fortune he had acquired by his own hard exertions in earlier years1 and utterly destitute4 ,he sank beneath the blow1 and for weeks ,i hung over his couch1 fearing each night that the next rising sun would see me an orphan4 ,he rose at length from that bed of suffering1 but oh1 how changed6 ,his hair1 which had before but lightly felt the touch of time1 was white as snow2 his once erect form was bent and trembling2 his eye had lost its lustre1 and what was far more sad than all1 his mental vigour had departed1 and he was as imbecile and feeble as a little child4 ,accustomed as ,i had ever been to lean upon his strong arm for support1 to look to him for guidance and direction in all things1 ,i was now obliged to summon all my fortitude1 and be to him in turn protector and guardian4 ,the whole of our property was gone1 our ruin was complete1 and for a time ,i was overwhelmed by the new and strange cares that were pressing so heavily upon me4 ,but ,i soon found that it was time for me to act rather than mourn1 and ,i began to look around me for some means by which to obtain a comfortable livelihood for my poor father4 ,i might have obtained a situation as governess1 where the labour would be light1 and the salary more than sufficient for my wants2 but in that case ,i must be separated from my parent1 and leave him to the tender mercies of strangers4 ,the same objection arose in my mind in connexion with almost every course that presented itself1 and ,i finally concluded upon renting a small house in a pleasant little village not far from the city1 where ,i could obtain a few pupils1 and still be able to watch over my feeble charge4 ,it was in the 'merry1 merry month of ,may1' that the news of our reverses came1 but it was late in ,october before we left our home1 that home rendered sacred by so many hallowed associations4 ,the intervening months had been spent by me in watching over the sick couch of my aged parent1 in striving to compose my own agitated spirits1 and to gain sufficient courage to gaze unshrinkingly upon the new and strange pathway ,i was about to tread4 ,slowly and wearily passed they away1 and the day at length dawned that was to witness our departure4 ,all was bright and joyous in the outer world4 ,the air was soft and balmy as a morning in ,june4 ,the trees were just changing their green summer robes for the gorgeous attire of autumn1 with its rich colouring and brilliant dyes2 and the sky was as cloudless as if the storm-king had been dethroned1 and his banners furled for ever4 ,the house1 and everything around it1 presented much the same appearance as in happier days2 for the gentleman who had purchased it had bought the furniture also1 with the exception of a few indispensable articles1 that the kindness of the creditors allowed us to retain for our new dwelling4 ,but oh1 the darkness of the inner world6 the gloom in which my own soul was wrapped1 when ,i awoke from a short and troubled sleep1 and the thought fell as a dull1 sickening weight upon my heart1 that ,i had slept for the last time in that quiet chamber6 ,i passed from room to room1 and every step but added to my grief4 ,here was the nursery and the little crib1 where ,i could just remember sleeping in my very babyhood2 here the retired study1 with its perfect stillness1 and the light coming in so stealthily through the stained glass2 here the library1 my father's favourite apartment1 and there1 in the recess with its bay window1 the arm-chair that had ever been his chosen resting-place2 and here the room where my mother had lain1 in her quiet beauty1 ere the coffin-lid was closed1 and she was borne hence for ever4 ,in a distant part of the grounds1 where the forest-trees had not yet fallen1 and where the hand of art had done little more than to clear away the tangled underbrush1 there was a small plot enclosed by a stone wall1 over which wild vines and running mosses had been trained until the gray stones were almost entirely hidden4 ,the grass in the enclosure was of the deepest green1 and shaded though it was by the overhanging trees1 there had not a faded leaf or a withered branch been suffered to rest upon it4 ,in the centre was a mound of earth1 and over it a slab of white marble1 upon which lay the sculptured image of a woman1 young and of surpassing loveliness4 ,she lay as if in sleep1 one rounded arm thrown over her head1 and the other dropping by her side2 while from the half-opened hand a white rose-bud had seemingly just fallen4 ,it was my mother's burial-place1 and ,i bent my steps thitherward that ,i might cast one farewell look upon it1 before it passed into the possession of strangers4 ,a tide of softening recollections swept over me as ,i stood by the grave1 and falling upon my knees1 ,i poured out my full heart in prayer4 ',oh1 when the heart is sad--when bitter thoughts ,are crowding thickly up for utterance1 ,and the poor1 common words of courtesy ,are such a bitter mocking--how much ,the bursting heart may pour itself in prayer6' ,i rose from my knees calmer than ,i had been for many weeks4 ,i was sad1 but not despairing1--and felt again1 what in my despondency ,i had well-nigh forgotten1 that ,i was in the hands of ,one who careth for ,his children4 ,when ,i returned to the house1 ,i found the vehicle that was to convey us away waiting at the door4 ,my father was already in his seat1 and ,i sprang quickly in1 not trusting myself to cast another look around me4 ,he--thanks to his weakness and imbecility--had partaken little of my dread or agony4 ,provided his daily wants were supplied1 it mattered little to him where his lot was cast4 ,but1 ,aunt ,mary1 where was ,walter ,elmore all this time8 ,i should have told you1 my love1 that business of vital importance called him to a distant part of the country a short time previous to our misfortunes1 and there detained him4 ,he was kept apprised by my letters1 however1 of all that had befallen us1 and hastened to my side as soon as he returned4 ,he vehemently opposed my pursuance of the course ,i had marked out for myself1 and with all the eloquence and earnestness of love1 besought me to become his wife at once1 and give him a right to protect and guard me4 ,but fervently as he prayed1 and strongly as my own heart seconded his entreaties1 ,i could not yield4 ,i had thought that it was to be my blessed privilege to aid and assist him ,i loved2 to place him where it would no longer be necessary for him to confine his noble mind to close and ceaseless drudgery1 and constant toil for his daily bread4 ,and how could ,i now consent to be a drawback upon his efforts1 and to burden him with the care of my helpless parent8 ',no1 no1 ,walter1' said ,i1 in reply to his oft-repeated solicitations2 'urge me no longer4 ,for the present our paths must be separated4 ,your task will be hard enough1 while you are taking the first steps towards acquiring a name and a competence1 even if you have no interests but your own to regard4 ,were ,i alone in the world1 ,i would joyfully link my fate with yours1 and we would toil together1 side by side4 ,but as it is1 it may not be4 ,my father cannot understand why he need be deprived of any of his accustomed luxuries4 ,be it my care that he misses them not4 ,i will labour for his sustenance and my own1 until you are so circumstanced that1 without detriment to your own prospects1 you can relieve me of the charge4 ,then come to me1 and the hand pledged to you in brighter days shall be yours6' ,a year passed not unhappily away in the earnest and faithful discharge of the new duties devolving upon me4 ,my school flourished beyond my expectations4 ,i had gained the esteem and confidence of those around me1 and ,i found no difficulty in supplying our daily wants4 ,elmore was in an adjacent city1 in the office of an eminent lawyer1 who1 it was imagined1 would ere long make him a partner in his business4 ,during the last few months his visits had been less frequent than of yore4 ,rumour told strange tales of a young and exceedingly beautiful girl1 the sister of his employer1 who was playing the mischief with the hearts and brains of half the young men in ,m----1 and more than hinted that my lover was among the number of her admirers4 ,things went on thus for some time4 ,i fancied that1 when we met1 which was rarely1 his manner was cold and reserved1 and that he seemed to shrink from my presence4 ,i now know that my own jealous fancies threw a false colouring over all his actions1 and that1 if there was any coldness in his demeanour1 it sprang from the unusual1 and1 in fact1 unintended reserve of mine4 ,at last ,i heard1 from the lips of one whose veracity and friendship ,i thought ,i could not question1 that his leisure hours were all spent in the society of my supposed rival1 and that1 when rallied by some of his associates with regard to myself1 he had denied our engagement1 and spoken lightly and contemptuously of the 'school-mistress4' ,a thousand contending passions were striving for the mastery in my breast1 when1 upon the evening of that day1 after its weary labours were over1 ,i threw myself upon a low seat in the room that served alike as school-room and parlour4 ,woman's pride--and who does not know that 'there is not a high thing out of heaven her pride o'er-mastereth not8'--was all aroused4 ,memory was wide awake1 bringing back the recollection of by-gone days1 when my hand had been sought by the proudest in the land4 ,then came thoughts of our early love--of the exquisite happiness that had filled my heart1 when ,i had so rejoiced that wealth was at my command1 and that ,i could place it all at the feet of one whom ,i deemed so noble and so pure--and of a later period1 when1 rather than place the slightest barrier in his way to fame and fortune1 ,i had resisted all his entreaties1 and confined myself to close and unremitting toil4 ,it was at this very moment when ,i was half maddened by the retrospect1 that the door opened1 and ,walter ,elmore entered4 ,hastily rising1 with every appearance of calmness1 ,i received him with a cold and stately courtesy1 surprising even to myself4 ',what means this1 ,mary8' said he2 and ,i could see that his lip quivered1 and the hand he had extended trembled4 ',why do you greet me thus coldly8' ',let your own heart answer the question1 ,mr4 ,elmore4 ,to that and to your own words ,i refer you for reasons why we must henceforth be strangers4' ',you speak enigmas to-night1 my dear ,mary4 ,my heart tells me no tale that can enable me to comprehend this unlooked-for change in you4 ,it will take more than your simple assertion that we are strangers1 to render us such2 and he again attempted to take my hand4 ,i drew back more haughtily than before1 and words that ,i cannot now repeat burst from my lips4 ,i can only tell you that they were harsh1 stinging words--words fraught with contempt and bitterness--words that a proud spirit like ,elmore's could not brook4 ,he sought no farther explanation4 ',be it as you will1' he said1 and his manner was as stern as my own2 ',i have asked you to account for this change1 and you refuse compliance1 couching that refusal in terms that ,i can hear twice from no one1 not even from yourself4 ,we meet no more2 but remember1 ,mary ,atherton1 the words you have this day uttered will ring in your ear until it is closed to all earthly sounds4 ,you have given heed to some idle tale of calumny1 and have wantonly flung away a heart that was filled but with your image--a heart that had centred upon you its every dream and wish for the far future--that lived but in the hope of one day calling you its own--and that looked forward to that period as to the commencement of a better and a happier existence4 ,the hour will come when you will feel that this is true1 and then will you bewail the step you have now taken6'--and without one farewell look he rushed from the room4 ,this prophecy was fulfilled almost before the echo of his departing footsteps had died away4 ,i felt that ,i was labouring under some strange delusion1 and bursting into tears1 ,i wept long and bitterly4 ,i would have given worlds to recall him2 but his fleet steed was bearing him from me1 as on the wings of the wind4 ,yet1 hope whispered3 ',we shall surely meet again4 ,my harsh words angered him2 but he has loved me so long and so fondly1 that he will not resign me thus easily4 ,all will yet be explained4' ,but day after day passed and he came not2 and my heart was as if an iron hand was resting upon it1 pressing it downward to the very earth4 ,the excitement of passion had died away1 and ,i could now see how greatly ,i had erred1 in not telling him frankly the tale that had reached my ears1 and thus giving him an opportunity to exculpate himself from the charge4 ,alas6 for pride and anger1 how often does the shadow of one unguarded moment darken our life-paths for ever6 ,two weeks had elapsed2 and one night1 after vain attempts to sleep1 ,i rose from my couch and threw open the lattice4 ,the glare of daylight was wanting2 but the moon poured forth such a flood of radiance that the minutest object was distinctly visible4 ,all heaven and earth were still2 the very leaves upon the trees hung motionless as those painted upon canvass4 ,the perfect silence was becoming painfully oppressive1 when a low sound1 like distant footsteps1 fell upon my ear4 ,nearer and still nearer it came1 and ,i could distinguish a faint murmur1 as of half-suppressed voices4 ,then a group of men approached4 ,they walked slowly and heavily1 and as they drew near ,i perceived that they bore a dark object4 ,soon1 by their reverential mien1 and by the unyielding1 uneven nature of their burden1 the stiff outlines of which were discernible beneath the mantle thrown over it1 ,i knew they were bearing the dead4 ,they were passing directly beneath my window1 when a sudden movement of the bearers disarranged the pall1 and the moonbeams fell clear and soft upon the uncovered features4 ,i leaned forward1 and--oh1 ,god6 it was the face of ,walter ,elmore6 ,with a shriek that rang out fearfully upon the night-air1 ,i rushed forth1 and threw myself upon the motionless form4 ,the men paused in astonishment2 but ,i heeded them not2 ,i lifted the wet1 dark locks from his forehead3 more than living beauty rested upon it2 but it was cold1 icy cold1--so cold that the touch chilled my very life-blood4 ,i placed my hand upon his heart3 but it beat no longer4 ,i kissed his pale lips again and again1 and wildly called him by name1 and prayed that he would speak to me once1 only once more2 but he answered not4 ,they thought ,i was mad1 and attempted to raise me1 and bear the body on2 but ,i clung to it with a frenzied clasp1 exclaiming3 ',you shall not separate us1--he is mine1--he is mine6' ,then1 suddenly1 in thunder tones1 a voice from the depths of my own spirit sounded in my ears3 ',he is not yours3 your own hand severed the ties that bound you4 ,what dost thou here8' and ,i fell senseless to the ground4 ,when ,i next awoke to consciousness1 the snow had rested for many weeks upon the grave of ,walter ,elmore4 ,i cannot dwell longer upon this theme4 ,years have fled since that name has passed my lips1 until this evening2 but my brain whirls1 even now1 when ,i recall the agony of that moment4 ,elmore had been crossing a narrow bridge1 when his foot slipped1 and he was precipitated into the water beneath4 ,the current was strong2 and his body was found1 by some travellers1 washed on shore some distance below4 ,i learned1 before many months had passed1 that the tale to which ,i had given credence was an entire fabrication1 having its origin solely in jealousy and malice4 ,he had never swerved from his fidelity1 even for one moment2 but ,i1--oh6 would to ,god that my spirit might but for once hold communion with his1 that ,i might humble myself before him1 and implore forgiveness for the injustice and coldness of our last interview6 ,little more remains to be told4 ,shortly after1 my father sank to his rest2 and the death of a distant relative placed me in possession of a small annuity1 which enabled me to purchase this cottage4 ,here ,i shall probably live until called to rejoin my loved ones in a happier clime4 ,aunt ,mary's story was ended4 ,my heart was too full for utterance1 and silently ,i pressed my lips upon her pale forehead1 and wended my way homewards4 ,the next morning ,i left ,elmwood4 ,when ,i again revisited my early home1 a plain slab of marble in the churchyard bore the name of ,mary ,atherton4 ,,sunset ,,on ,,the ,,river ,,delaware4 ,a ,,sonnet1 ,,to ,,sibyl4 ,,by ,j4 ,i4 ,,pease4 ,a day of storms6--,but1 at its latest close1 ,beyond the cloud1 comes forth the glowing sun1 ,kissing the waves to dimples1 one by one1 ,o'er which our homeward bark serenely goes4 ,the blue expanse with tremulous lustre glows1 ,as the warm hues of evening fade to dun2 ,and the still twilight hour comes softly down1 ,like blessed1 eyelids1 for the day's repose4 ,and thus our day6--,the heavy clouds rolled past1 ,the dark eclipse of doubt and fear is o'er2 ,the tides of life flow calmly as before1 ,and love's pure tranquil moon shines clear at last4 ,oh1 may this hour of beauty and of rest ,bring peace undreaming to thy troubled breast4 ,,faith1 ,,hope1 ,,and ,,charity4 ,,by ,s4 ,a4 ,h4 ,i saw a noble bark upon the angry main-- ,the foamy billows pressed upon her track2 ,now high1 now low1 ,i saw her timbers strain1 ,as forth she bounded o'er the waters black4 ,but ever1 as a deeper plunge she gave1 ,phosphoric brightness gleamed along the wave3 ,and thus1 ,i said1 wide o'er ,life's stormy sea1 ,glances the light of ,faith1 so pure and free4 ,i marked a threatening cloud hang o'er the western sky1 ,and throw its blackness o'er the landscape fair1 ,whence lightnings flashed1 whence pealed the thunder high1 ,and wide re-echoed through the trembling air4 ,the sun broke forth1 and all its dark array ,was gilded with the hues of parting day3 ,and thus1 ,i said1 can ,hope's bright rays illume1 ,and richly paint the darkest days of gloom4 ,i saw1 at twilight eve1 a snowy flower-- ,it closed its leaves and drooped its tender bud2 ,cold came the dew1 and blightingly the shower ,swept o'er the plant in swift destructive flood4 ,but1 bending o'er its tender charge its leaves1#bj ,bows the strong branch1 and needed shelter gives3 ,and thus1 ,i said1 does ,charity descend1 ,and proves to every drooping one a friend4 ,footnote #bj3 ,the tamarind plant1 which closes its leaves over its young fruit and flowers4 ,,castle-,,building4 ,,by ,,james ,t4 ,,mitchell4 ,at twilight1 when the deepening shades ,of humid night are closing fast1 ,when o'er bright fields and green arcades ,the dazzling beams of gold are cast1 ,another day its weary round ,of mingled joys and pains has run1 ,and clouds1 with golden fringes bound1 ,in beauty veil the setting sun1-- ,a silence1 pleasing1 calm1 profound1 ,falls soothing on the raptured brain2 ,the hum of busy life is drowned1 ,on crowded street and lonely plain2 ,the soul1 in dreamy reveries lost1 ,to shadowy realms far distant roves1 ,in stormy waves of ether tost1 ,then wandering wild in heavenly groves4 ,and cloud-built castles1 towering high1 ,o'er gorgeous scenes that fancy rears1 ,where laughing orbs illume the sky1 ,seem mansions for our future years2 ,and1 while the spirit gazing stands1 ,enwrapt with pleasure at the scenes ,which fill ,imagination's lands ,with palaces for fairy queens1 ,the view is changing--all is gone-- ,the castles1 fading slow away1 ,as misty shapes at early dawn1 ,vanish before the coming day2 ,and storm-clouds now are lowering round2 ,wild demon shapes are flitting by2 ,fierce flames are rising from the ground1 ,and lurid lightnings cleave the sky4 ,bleak snow-capped mountains o'er us frown1 ,while1 gray and grim1 through darkened air1 ,towers and turrets1 looking down ,from rocky heights o'erhanging there1 ,seem prisons for the wandering brain1 ,within whose deep and caverned walls ',tis doomed for ever to remain1 ',mid shrieks as from demoniac halls4 ,but pyramids above these rise1 ,whose summits1 gleaming gaily bright1 ,inspire with hope the fainting eyes1 ,as bathed they stand in golden light1 ,lifting their peaks high o'er the dark1 ,like shining spots1 that on the breast ,of darkened ,luna1 seem to mark ,some towering ,etna's blazing crest4 ,perched on these lofty granite piles1 ,rise adamantine domes of power1 ,secure from treachery1 force1 or wiles1 ,reared in ,ambition's happy hour1 ,when1 having left the storm behind1 ,of raging battles1 fears1 and hates1 ,he spurns their threats as empty wind1 ,himself the guardian of the gates4 ,here in these grand1 but lonely halls1-- ,unmingling with the crowd below1 ,and all unharmed by what befalls ,poor wanderers in this world of woe1-- ,ambition1 well-directed1 dwells1 ,while songs of sorrow1 care1 and grief1 ,give place to martial music's swells1 ,which proudly hail the victor chief4 ,yet not alone--without a friend ,to share his toil-bought honours great1 ,and by congenial spirit lend ,new splendour to his regal state-- ,celestial ,hope dwells ever near1 ,and ,happiness1 her sister gay2 ,and thus they live1 while year on year ,with rapid pinions rolls away4 ,but gazing from these lofty walls1 ,a landscape rises bright and fair1 ,where happy light serenely falls ,on scenes of gorgeous beauty there4 ,here crystal founts1 'mid orient flowers1 ,which radiant shine in varied hues1 ,flow joyous through an ,eden's bowers1 ,where perfume loads the falling dews2 ,while here and there1 these laughing streams1 ,dimpling and eddying ever gay1 ,rippling o'er golden sand1 that gleams ,like the ,golcondian diamond's ray1 ,leap headlong down a rocky dell1 ,and o'er the heaven's ethereal azure ,cast many a rainbow's glittering spell1 ,that chains the heart in silent pleasure4 ,and 'neath the heaven's o'erarching bow1 ,bloom laurels proud1 and violets low1 ,in fragrance sweet1 and beauty rare1 ,with graceful rose1 and lily fair2 ,the mirthful grape1 and crocus glad1 ,yet here and there1 geranium sad1 ,with hawthorn1 and ambrosia kind1 ,and 'mongst them all is ivy twined4 ,amid these blooming spirit-lands1 ,mid chaplets wreathed by ,love's own hands1 ,the glowing flowers of ,love are found ,with which his shining locks are crowned2 ,he sings a song1 through all the day long1 ,of joy1 and of gladness1 and glee1 ,and he sits so light1 on his throne so bright1 ,oh ever a conquering king is he6 ,but when the sunset's golden dyes ,have faded away from the western skies2 ,and these fairy gardens are seen by night4 ,over their moonlit waters bright1 ,on which1 as they're merrily flowing and dancing1 ,the light of the stars is twinkling and glancing1 ,there's a charm in that silent midnight hour1 ,they only can tell who have felt its power4 ,there's a mystic spell in its silence sweet1 ,and a magic thrill through all who meet1 ,where kindred thoughts together stray1 ,whispering beneath pale ,luna's ray2 ,then is the time for poet's song1 ,when his voice on the zephyr is borne along1 ,and slumbering echo1 like fairy fay1 ,murmurs the words of his wakening lay4 ,but the rosy beams of the coming morn ,tell us how fast the night has worn1 ,how far and free the soul has strayed1 ,wandering 'mong scenes in fancy laid2 ,and the heathcock's note1 or the matin bell1 ,as the morning breeze brings its pealing swell1 ,recalls the soul from its musings there1 ,to find its ,castles--built in air4 ,illustration3 ,c4 ,schuessele del4 ,drawn by ,capt4 ,s4 ,eastman4 ,chromolith of ,p4 ,s4 ,duval ,pha4 ,,wenona',s ,,leap4 ,,lake ,,pepin1 ,,miss4 ,,river4 ,,the ,,lover',s ,,leap3 ,,or1 ,,wenona',s ,,rock4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 ,love1 which rules the court1 the camp1 the grove1 is not without a share of influence in the wigwam4 ,it is true that in a polished and refined society1 woman is more likely to receive a just appreciation1 than where the intellect of man is like the one talent rolled in a napkin1 useless1 because neglected and unimproved4 ,in an enlightened country1 woman is not considered as being only created to perform the household duties of a wife and mother4 ,she is a companion1 in the highest sense of the word4 ,her aim1 like his1 may be towards the great purposes of life4 ,not unmindful of her first duties1 those which lie in her province alone1 she can go on towards that exalted state of perfection of which the soul is capable1 though not to be attained here4 ,religion1 that teaches her that the price of a virtuous woman is far above rubies1 also commends her that she openeth her mouth with wisdom4 ,we find her in the sacred history not only the friend1 the mother1 and the wife1 but the poet1 the heroine1 the prophetess1 and even the judge4 ,but among ,indian nations we find her position more than equivocal4 ,her influence is undoubted in the domestic relations1 but she is still a slave4 ,she was born to labour--what merit then in her strongest efforts6 ,she is an inferior--how then can she hope for justice8 ,among the ,sioux1 the men appear indeed to be a superior class of beings4 ,they are noble-looking1 while the women are often repelling in appearance4 ,the difficulties with which they must contend in the harsh climate of their country2 their poverty increasing year after year2 their frequent and long fastings3 these all make the men more hardy1 more capable of a continued struggle1 but they have a different effect upon the women4 ,they are compelled to remain in the lodge2 the care of their children obliges them to forego the excitement of seeking for food1 and thus sickness and even death is often brought upon them that could otherwise have been avoided4 ,they are often found buried in the snow in winter1 prevented by sickness from making such efforts as saved the lives of their husbands and brothers4 ,but their noble courage1 where the emotions of the heart are concerned1 gives them the first place in the romantic traditions of their country4 ,the ,sioux will soon have taken a farewell look of the lands which the ,great ,spirit gave them in the olden time4 ,the lodge and its occupants are vanishing away4 ,the occasional war-whoop will soon be forgotten where it has been heard in unrecorded ages4 ,the scenes of many a romantic tradition will be forgotten by those who succeed the valiant but doomed people1 who must look upon them no more4 ,the hunter and his wild steed depart1 and the white man1 the axe1 the plough1 and the powder-horn take their place4#ba ,the fairy-rings#bb on the prairie must be trodden down4 ,spirits will no more assemble where are heard the noise and excitement of advancing civilization4 ,the same sun gilds the hills1 the same breezes play upon the waters--but the red man must go4 ,he must1 with his heart full of patriotism and sorrow1 find another site for his lodge1 another country for his hunting-grounds4 ,the wakeen-stone to which he was sacrificed is no longer his4 ,the graves of his ancestors reproach him as he departs4 ,the illustration of ,wenona's ,rock presents one of the most striking and beautiful scenes in ,indian country4 ,even were there no tradition connected with it1 its wonderful beauty must give it interest4 ,one must indeed feel that ,god made it4 ,that huge rock with its worn and broken sides--the lake that reflects it in her placid bosom--the everlasting hills stretching out before the eye1--these would show the ,creator's handiwork4 ,but there is an additional interest in viewing it when we recall the tale of sorrow and passion connected with it4 ,when we recollect that here a young heart throbbed its last emotions--that from that high eminence the sweet notes of woman's voice pealed forth their last music4 ,that here her arms were raised to heaven1 appealing for that justice which earth had denied her4 ,illustration3 ,c4 ,s4 ,schuessele del4 ,drawn by ,capt4 ,s4 ,eastman4 ,chromolith of ,p4 ,s4 ,duval ,pha4 ,,marriage ,,custom ,,of ,,the ,,indians4 ,but it is not only on ,wenona's ,rock that the devotion of an ,indian woman's love is recorded4 ,go among them and hear the traditions of each band2 how many have loved and died4 ,learn of the sacrifices that only woman can make--of the devotion that only woman can feel--of the sorrows that only woman can endure4 ,you may see one1 who1 though past her youth1 still attracts you by the full and expressive glances of her dark and brilliant eyes4 ,her hair 7a marvel among ,indians71 waves along her forehead--and when damp from heat or bathing1 divides itself into locks1 that would with any pains be formed into ringlets4 ,her smile lights up her countenance1 for her white teeth shine1 and her mouth1 though large1 is expressive4 ,she will not open her heart to a stranger1 but to one she loves1 she told all4 ,she had seen but fourteen summers when she left her mother to go to her husband's lodge4 ,she loved to dwell upon that time1 for no bride ever boasted greater adornment1 and her marriage was celebrated according to the old and venerated customs4#bc ,she was a whole morning preparing herself1 for her mother loved her1 and was proud of her4 ,she had obtained from the traders gay beads of every colour1 and brooches in numbers1 too4 ,her father was a favourite of the traders4 ,he carried them so many beautiful furs--for he was a great hunter--that they gave him trinkets for her in abundance4 ,they gave him1 besides1 fire-water2 and then she and her mother used to leave the wigwam and hide1 for fear he would kill her4 ,when she was ready to go to her husband's lodge1 her father and two of her brothers attended her4 ,her cousin1 ,whistling ,wind1 came to meet her1 and1 taking her upon his back1 carried her in and placed her by her husband's side4 ,she was very happy at first1 for her husband loved her2 but many moons passed away1 and she had no child4 ,her husband reproached her1 and she could only weep--and no infant's voice was heard in their lodge4 ,at last her husband brought home another wife1 and she was forgotten4 ,soon she watched him as he carved the thunder-bird on his son's cradle2 and the second wife laughed at her1 because she could not be a happy mother like herself4 ,he has beaten her sometimes--for he drinks fire-water too4 ,she might return to her mother1 for her family is a powerful one1 but she cannot leave her husband4 ,she cannot forget the love of her early youth4 ,she stays by him1 for he is often sick1 and she can take better care of him than his other wife1 who has many young children4 ,wherever is man1 with his proud1 exacting spirit1 there is woman1 with her devoted and enduring love4 ,there are many instances of heroic affection1 not recorded in the traditionary annals of the ,sioux2 but ,wenona's ,rock will stand1 as long as the world lasts1 a monument in memory of woman's love4 ,footnote #ba3 ,the ,seal of ,minesota1 adopted in #ahej1 represents an ,indian warrior departing on his steed3 while a husbandman is in the foreground1 surrounded by the implements of civilization1--the plough1 axe1 and rifle4 ,the scene is located at ,anthony's ,falls4 ,footnote #bb3 ,on the prairies we frequently observe what the ,sioux call ,fairy-rings4 ,these are circles1 occasioned by the grass growing in this form1 higher and of a darker colour than that around it4 ,medicine-,bottle1 an inferior chief1 living now about twenty miles from ,fort ,snelling1 says that they are the paths in which their ancestors danced their war-dances2 the ,indians at ,lac qui ,parle say the same thing4 ,in confirmation of this opinion1 it may be stated1 that these circles of dark grass vary about as much from true circles as do the paths in which the ,sioux dance at the present time4 ,chequered ,cloud1 a medicine-woman1 much esteemed among the ,sioux1 says that these circles were made1 in the first instance1 by one of their gods1 ,unk tomi sapa tonka1 the large black spider1 for the warriors to dance in4 ,i will observe that ,dr4 ,williamson1 a missionary among the ,sioux1 requested from the two ,indians mentioned their opinion on this subject1 telling them ,i had asked it4 ,dr4 ,williamson gives his own opinion1 or rather observation1 thus3--,it seems to me1 from the appearance of these circles1 that they enlarge every year3 and ,i have thought it probable that they originated from the death of some large animal1 or other like cause1 destroying the common grass of the prairie and enriching the ground1 thus starting grass of another kind1 or weeds which grow rankly in this manner1 and overshadowing1 and to some extent destroying the surrounding grass1 the next year taking possession of the ground from which the common grass has been destroyed1 c4 ,on mentioning this and your letter to ,mr4 ,g4 ,h4 ,pond1 ,dr4 ,w4 continues1 he said1 ,lieut4 ,mather1 the geologist1 who visited this country 7,minesota7 with ,featherstonhaugh1 many years ago1 had advanced the same opinion4 ,in confirmation of it1 ,i would observe1 that in the large prairies up the ,st4 ,peter's ,river1 ,i have often seen buffalo bones in these circles4 ,mr4 ,pond1 the ,doctor adds1 did not think these circles originated in this way3 saying1 some supposed they were caused by a mineral in the soil1 and that he had observed1 that when cattle came on or near these circles1 they always eat the dark grass in the ring close to the ground1 neglecting or passing over that growing elsewhere4 ,footnote #bc3 ,the marriage custom of the ,sioux is given in ,dacota1 or ,legends of the ,sioux4 ,the ancient form1 as represented in the illustration1 is still venerated1 and frequently1 though not always celebrated4 ,,the ,,indian ,,mother1 ,,and ,,the ,,song ,,of ,,the ,,wind4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 ,softly the ,indian mother#bd sings-- ,woman's heart is strong1 ,when she works for those she loves1 ,through the summer's day so long4 ,hark6 to the wind's wild voice1 my babe-- ,what may its story be1 ,stirring thy cradle-bed1 securely laid ,in the arms of the forest tree8 ,we have travelled afar1 but we come again2 ,we have passed o'er the couch of weakness and pain2 ,we have seen the gifted from earth depart2 ,we have fanned the brow of the broken heart2 ,we have fled from the shrieks of the mighty in death1 ,from the battle's rage and the victor's breath2 ,we have been at the grave--at the infant's birth2 ,we know all the cares of the children of earth4 ,our wail is heard o'er the mighty deep1 ,in whose breast the loved and lost ones sleep1 ,when1 sweeping in rage1 the hurricane blast ,tosses to heaven the waters vast4 ,when we bear o'er the foaming and dashing main ,the voices that ne'er will be heard again2 ,yet we come and go at ,his will1 who said ,to the sea ',be still6' and its waves obeyed4 ,the air was still as we stayed our breath1 ,while the mother wept o'er her young child's death-- ,a fatherless child2 'twas peacefully laid1 ,so placid and calm1 'neath the curtain's shade4 ,yet1 pressing the clay to her throbbing breast1 ',oh6 when1' she cried1 'will ,i be at rest8' ,we sang for the child a requiem low1 ,and the mother's to sing on our way we go4 ,but why should we chaunt of sorrow and gloom1 ,of night and the tempest1 of tears and the tomb8 ,those who are parted shall meet again-- ,the sea yield her victims1 the earth her slain2 ,our mission we haste o'er ocean to bear2 ,we tell of his glory whose servants we are4 ,we quell with our tidings the idol's dark power1 ,that the cries of its victims be heard never more4 ,we raise from the earth the spirit crushed2 ,at the sight of the cross its murmurs are hushed4 ,our voice is heard1 and the wandering son ,in spirit turns to his long-left home4 ,he remembers his father's voice in prayer1 ,and he kneels by the side of his mother there2 ,and he cries1 while his steps are homeward trod1 ',oh6 be thou mine1 my father's ,god6' ,alike is the charge and the mission given ,to the faithful heart and the winds of heaven1 ,to tell how the ,saviour came to earth1 ,how poor he was from the hour of his birth3 ,his own griefs unheeded1 for others he sighed2 ,of the life that he lived1 of the death that he died4 ,to earth's farthest shore these tidings we bear-- ,all glory to ,him whose servants we are4 ,again the ,indian mother sings-- ,woman's heart is strong1 ,when she works for those she loves1 ,through the summer's day so long4 ,i would know what the wild winds said1 my babe-- ,what could their story be1 ,stirring thy cradle-bed1 securely laid ,in the arms of the forest tree8 ,footnote #bd3 ,indian women take great interest in listening to instruction connected with religious subjects4 ,they often deplore the difference in their position from that of the white woman1 desiring for themselves and their children the thousand comforts and advantages they observe the wives and children of the white man possess4 ,only can they ever hope to enjoy them when their nation becomes a ,christian one4 ,,the ,,wood ,,spirits ,,and ,,the ,,maiden4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 ,those who have lived among the ,indians are accustomed to their faith in the protecting power of the ,spirits of ,nature4 ,especially powerful is the god of the woods and forests4 ,day with its gorgeous light passes away1 ,shadows of coming night darken the way4 ,who is the wanderer ,with the long braided hair8 ',mid the tall evergreens1 ,she like a fairy seems2 ,know ye the maiden young1 ,wood ,spirits1 say8 ,know we the maiden young--mark well her form1 ,like the tall pine tree1 when rages the storm4 ,how like the dark bird's wing ,glistens her braided hair4 ,when watching o'er her birth1 ,sang we a song of earth1 ,we were her guardians made1 ,she was our child4 ,soon o'er her body cold1 chaunt we her funeral hymn1 ,wild branches1 torn and old1 timing the requiem4 ,why does she wander here1 ,with the long braided hair8 ,why is the maiden pale-- ,why does her breathing fail8 ,now1 by the moonbeams fair1 ,see her dimmed eye4 ,she loved as maiden loves1 she wept as woman weeps4 ,soon will her restless frame sleep where her lover sleeps4 ,then to our far-off groves ,will we her spirit hear4 ,when heaves her parting sigh1 ,when closed her lustrous eye1 ,we will her guardians be1-- ,she is our child4 ,,alice ,,hill4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,m4 ,e4 ,w4 ,,alexander4 ,fast by a brook1 whose murmuring streams ,reflected heaven in angel dreams1 ,embosomed in a quiet wood1 ,an old and storm-rent school-house stood4 ,all brown with age and worn by rains1 ,rude winter shook the shattered panes1 ,that shivered in their casements light1 ,like goblins' teeth on windy night4 ,but when the sun shone down the hill1 ,on smiling field and gushing rill1 ,and by the school-house danced the brook1 ,through hidden course or leafy nook1 ,on shattered panes in casement light ,its summer rays streamed clear and bright4 ,of pleasant ways and knowledge fair1 ,blithe ,alice ,hill reigned mistress there1-- ,nor birchen rod nor oaken rule ,in terror held this woodland school2 ,love awed the spirits bold and wild1 ,love won the most rebellious child1-- ,o1 ,alice ,hill6 just sweet sixteen1 ,of pleasant ways and courteous mien1 ,with glowing cheeks and eyes of blue1 ,and glossy hair of golden hue1 ,o ,god6 that ,i should ever live1 ,such sad account of thee to give6 ,in ,moreland vale brown ,autumn's tilth1 ,impatient waits the reaper's scythe3 ,where1 scattered with a bounteous hand1 ,luxuriant harvests thickly stand4 ,the sunlight bathes the waving grain1 ,that sweetly smiles to sun again2 ,the landscape lies in green and gold1 ,and purple clouds in ether rolled1 ,or gentle blue now smile above ,this earthly scene of ,eden love4 ,with dashing wheels and flying steed1 ,nor whip nor spur to urge their speed1 ,to view his land ,fitch ,moreland came1 ,the eldest of his honoured name1 ,and heir of all1 the green-crowned wood1 ,in which the low-roofed school-house stood1 ,the wide-spread fields1 the meadows broad1 ,the fruitful land and grassy sward1 ,and near embraced with roses wild ,the old brown house that through them smiled1 ,where ,alice ,hill had passed her days ,unnoticed by a flatterer's gaze2 ,and ,rudolph ,hill1 a farmer skilled1 ,the fields had reaped1 the lands had tilled1 ,fitch ,moreland's tenant1 prompt to pay ,his rent and taxes gathering day4 ,just free from school1 with shout and song1 ,fitch ,moreland met a joyous throng1 ,and joined their sports1 with heart as gay1 ,as boyhood had not passed away2 ,till seated in a fairy glade1 ,beneath an elm tree's grateful shade1 ,sweet ,alice ,hill fell on his sight1 ,with glowing cheeks and eyes of light3 ,around her neck1 her hair unbound1 ,in floating tresses swept the ground1 ,and pupils kneeling at her side1 ,wild flowers in graceful garlands tied1 ,a coronal as fresh and gay ,as ever crowned the ,queen of ,may4 ,with courteous words and city mien1 ,fitch ,moreland joined the rustic scene4 ,quick beat the heart of ,alice ,hill1 ,her pulses woke a music thrill3 ,her glowing cheek with crimson flushed1 ,and in her heart tumultuous gushed ,a spring of thought1 so sweet and rare1 ,it might have claimed the name of air1 ,its unseen visions came so bright1 ,to shed on life a holier light4 ,o ye who wear love's gentle spell1 ,and bless the bondage1 can ye tell ,blithe ,alice ,hill if this was ,love1-- ,that like a homeless1 wandering dove1 ,beat at her fluttering heart1 and sought ,an altar for his blissful thought8 ,no longer now1 like placid streams1 ,life passes by in quiet dreams2 ,but hurried1 feverish pulses shake ,the beating heart they may not break1-- ,hope1 fear1 desire1 and all that stored ,the spring of life1 hung on his word3 ,there was no life without his smile1 ,nor dreamed she that a heart of guile ,beat in so fair and smooth a shrine1 ,that other eyes for him might shine1 ,and softer voices breathe his name6 ,o1 ,alice ,hill1 love's vestal flame ,hath many a false1 misguiding light1 ,to cheat young hearts1 with promise bright4 ,and strew life's shores with dearer wrecks ,than perish from our wave-washed decks4 ,the fowler laid a cunning snare3 ,the timid bird was fluttering there1 ,and paused on half-suspended wing1 ,to hear the subtle charmer sing2 ,close to the brink1 with dizzy sense1 ,she hung upon his eloquence2 ,lured by the magic of his eye1 ,she quite forgot her power to fly1 ,till reeling1 powerless with the spell1 ,she lost her fragile hold and fell4 ,the fowler saw his lovely spoil ,entangled in the dazzling toil1 ,a few frail threads of woven gauze1 ,but deadly as the lion's jaws4 ,not till her golden wings were shorn1 ,the timid bird escaped forlorn-- ,to soar with flocks of grosser mould1 ,an alien from the heavenly fold1 ,the timid bird1 a human heart-- ,the snare1 a smooth seducer's art-- ,how can my pitying pen rehearse ,the burden of its mournful verse1 ,since he who triumphed in his power ,to crush so meek and low a flower1 ,contemptuous spurned it from his path1 ,to die a lone neglected death1 ,and to the winds his bauble tost-- ,left ,alice ,hill1 betrayed and lost4 ,and1 ,alice ,hill1 his haughty name ,will never hide thy maiden shame-- ,and though he swear it on his life1 ,thou'lt never be ,fitch ,moreland's wife6 ,farewell1 my own1 my waiting bride6 ,though ,i am wandering from thy side1 ,and from these favourite haunts afar1 ,i see thine eyes in every star1 ,i hear thy voice in every breeze1 ,that floats through summer's radiant trees2 ,and thou shalt wear our bridal ring1 ,and wear it as a holy thing1 ,till1 to the sacred altar led1 ,it be the seal by which we wed4 ,years rolled down ,time's resistless tides ,where ,time1 ,eternity divides2 ,fitch ,moreland1 high in hall and state1 ,cared not that by the elm tree sate ,poor ,alice ,hill1 to reason lost1 ,like oarless bark on ocean tost2 ,not wildly crazed to tear her hair1 ,but mute and sad1 as if despair ,had worn away life's tuneful strings1 ,and sealed to ,thought its gushing springs4 ,but on that ring mute ,alice ,hill ,for ever looks1 as if a thrill ,of reason shot across her brain1 ,and darted gleams of mental pain4 ,bold ,winter lay on ,moreland ,vale4 ,his bearded crown of ice and hail1 ,and columns wreathed in feathery snow1 ,how childhood dreams of glory show4 ,fast by these piles1 on reeking steed1 ,a post-boy checked his furious speed1 ,and whispered to a gaping wight1 ,fitch ,moreland takes a wife to-night4 ,mute ,alice ,hill the echo caught1-- ,with stealthy steps the town she sought1 ,that three leagues off in beauty lay ,along ,wamphassock's lovely bay-- ,with hair arranged and graceful dress1 ,none would have dreamed such loveliness ,concealed a heart to reason lost1 ,like oarless bark on ocean tost4 ,light1 glorious light1 streamed clear and wide1 ,through the proud dome of ,moreland's bride1 ,and mirth and music chid the hours ,lost in a maze of thornless flowers4 ,his eye erect in manly pride1 ,fitch ,moreland stood beside his bride1 ,nor dreamed he that his ,eden bough ,hung on a false and perjured vow4 ,the holy priest in scarf and bands ,with holy words had joined their hands1 ,and as to make more strong an oath1 ,when each had pledged their plighted troth1 ,a gleaming ring in diamonds set1 ,that hid a lock of glossy jet1 ,the fragile finger graceful pressed1 ,as sunlight lies on ocean's crest4 ,a maddened brain1 a spirit strong1 ,has pressed aside that startled throng4 ,with glaring eyes and purple cheeks1 ,fitch ,moreland's side a woman seeks1 ,while o'er her half-ethereal frame ,the altar sheds its holy flame4 ,the grasp on ,moreland's arm was light1 ,but those wild eyes1 so wildly bright1 ,his craven soul with terror fill1 ,for now he knows crazed ,alice ,hill4 ,a ring she from her finger drew1 ,and held it forth to ,moreland's view1 ,and murmured low1 in tones that thrilled ,his thickly throbbing pulse1 and stilled ,the awe-struck guests1 as if a breath ,had touched them from the wing of death3 ,four times twelve months have quickly fled-- ,this be the seal by which we wed1 ,and in this light empyreal bow1 ,to consecrate1 our bridal vow6 ,i sit beneath the elm alone ,since thou1 my own1 my love1 art gone4 ,where hast thou trifled on the way1 ,like truant-boy forbid to stay8 ,but hush1 my heart1 thou needst not chide3 ,fitch ,moreland claims his waiting bride6 ,my beating heart1 what raptures thrill1 ,tumultuous heart1 be still6 be still6 ,a sturdy arm grasped ,alice ,hill1 ,who struggling fiercely1 shrieking shrill1 ,out from the door was rudely cast1 ,though storms were out and tide and blast4 ,there shivering on the pavement cold ,sat ,alice ,hill1 with spirit bold1 ,roused by a blow1 revenge to claim ,for reason lost and peace and name4 ,the holy priest completes his task1 ,and bride and groom his blessing ask4 ,what benediction can reverse ,a wronged and ruined woman's curse8 ,with fettered hands and ringlets shorn1 ,poor ,alice ,hill1 a maniac1 borne ,on to the mad-house's gloomy walls1 ,for ever on ,fitch ,moreland calls1-- ,i am not mad6 ,unloose these bands6 ,see here my tortured1 bleeding hands6 ,on ,moreland's ring a crimson stain3 ,it shall not plead my wrongs in vain2 ,for in my heart revenge lies deep-- ,its glassy eyes shall never sleep1 ,till at the altar1 live or dead1 ,this be the seal by which we wed6 ,a pallet1 undisturbed by night1 ,fell on the careful matron's sight4 ,and ,alice ,hill from thence had fled1 ,with shoeless feet and naked head4 ,long was the search1 and every track ,pursued to bring crazed ,alice back4 ,but vain pursuit1 reward in vain1 ,to bring crazed ,alice back again4 ,wrapped in a cloak of faded red1 ,with shoeless feet and naked head1 ,and ringlets shorn1 a woman stood ,half muttering1 in a crazy mood1 ,and watched with glazed and jealous eye ,a gorgeous equipage move by4 ,reined in the light of glaring lamps ,the restless steed his bridle champs4 ,a form alights with agile bound1 ,but reeling1 totters to the ground4 ,they said1 who passed1 a weapon's gleam ,danced in the moonlight's silvery beam4 ,crowds gathered round1 a crimson tide ,was slowly ebbing from his side1 ,when on their sight a weapon flashed1 ,and feet that living current plashed1 ,till bending o'er his shivering frame ,a woman wildly shrieked his name4 ,turn on me now your treacherous eyes6 ,speak1 lying lips1 while perjury dies1 ,see what a work a falsehood wrought1 ,my love with life were dearly bought1 ,but peace and reason with it fled-- ,eternal curses on your head6 ,you stole my love1 an artless child ,by sacred promises beguiled1 ,then left me to a blighted name1 ,to add new laurels to your fame2-- ,to death's avenging altar led1 ,this be the seal by which we wed4 ,upraised1 the weapon gleamed again ,on coward hearts and awe-struck men3 ,beside ,fitch ,moreland1 fainting1 dead1 ,lay ,alice ,hill1 their spirits wed ,in that eternal1 dreamless sleep1 ,where souls their solemn bridals keep4 ,,dr4 ,,vandorsen ,,and ,,the ,,young ,,widow4 ,,by ,,ann ,e4 ,,porter4 ,to assure my readers that ,i am telling them what is truth1 and not drawing upon the treasury of fancy for a sketch1 ,i will first relate to them in what manner ,i became acquainted with the ,doctor and the ,widow4 ,i was once a teacher3 yes1 for seven years ,i held sway in the school-room1 and learned by severe discipline the art of self-government1 and to bear in secret many a sorrow of which the cherished daughter in the domestic circle remains in blissful ignorance4 ,whenever ,i see a young lady1 at the close of school-hours1 turning with a weary step to her solitary room in some boarding-house1 my first impulse is to go and ask her to share my own fireside1 sit down at my table1 and forget for a while1 in my little family circle1 that she is away from the loved ones of her own home4 ,i shall never forget my first preparations for leaving home4 ,i was to go eight hundred miles1--a long journey in the days of stages and canal-boats4 ,my little purse grew thin and lank under the unusual exertion4 ,i had a trunk and a large bandbox 7the latter article ,i have since learned to dispense with73 in this was placed all the varieties of my wardrobe1 as ,parson ,milton would call them2 or the accessories to strengthen the arsenal1 as ,bonaparte termed the feminine requisites to the toilet4 ,my little store of collarets1 ribbons1 and cravats1 my lace capes and fancy handkerchiefs were all folded in one box1 and placed inside the larger one4 ,they were few in number2 but what girl of eighteen does not cherish her own small hoard of treasures8 ,i was to go as far as ,pittsburg in the company of a lady and her brother1 a boy of sixteen4 ,three days and nights we were to travel by stage1 stopping only for meals1 and occasionally an hour for rest1 besides the intervals caused by changing horses4 ,two strangers1 young gentlemen from ,philadelphia1 joined us at the latter city1 and remained with the party to ,pittsburg4 ,nothing1 perhaps1 makes people better acquainted with the disposition of their companions1 than the old-fashioned mode of coach-travelling2 the petty troubles and peculiar annoyances excite the mirth of some1 but elicit only the grumbling of others1 so that for days together we are entertained by the fun of laughter-loving girls1 and gallant young gentlemen1 with growling interludes from some gouty old man1 or the groans of an epicure1 who talks only to condemn the dinner1 and curse the cooks4 ,i had never spent a whole night out of my bed before1 and though the excitement kept me up at first1 ,i found myself so exhausted by the middle of the second night1 that it was with difficulty ,i could retain my seat4 ,one of the passengers1 perceiving my situation1 and alarmed by my almost deadly paleness1 requested the driver to stop1 and ordered a cup of tea4 ,this1 and a resting-place for my poor head1 relieved me a little2 but with what joy did we hail1 the next day at evening1 the smoky city of ,pittsburg4 ,ladies1 shall we have the pleasure of meeting all our little party together in the parlour this evening8 said one of the gentlemen4 ,the next morning we were to separate1 taking three different routes4 ,we therefore cheerfully acquiesced1 and ,miss ,s4 and myself repaired to our rooms to dress4 ,what was my astonishment to find my treasures gone1 and with them a valuable breastpin1 the gift of my grandfather1 shortly before his death6 ,i was weary1 sick1 and sad2 but at the earnest request of my companion1 ,i put on a black silk dress1 and felt not a little refreshed by my bath1 and the privilege of using thoroughly the brush and comb1 which1 denied me for two days and nights1 had given to my head1 with its exuberance of hair1 a most moppish appearance on the outside1 while the brain within seemed to share the entanglement without4 ,but the efforts of my companions could not chase away the homesickness of the heart4 ,the morning would find me alone in the world4 ,sixty miles of my journey were yet to be travelled3 and1 wearied in body and faint in spirit1 ,i longed to see my dear father1 and be at home again under his protection4 ,i shrunk1 too1 from the duties before me3 they seemed more arduous and difficult as ,i approached them2 and with a sad feeling of my own incompetency and the lack of personal charms1 which might prepossess my employers1 ,i laid my head upon my pillow that night and watered it with my tears4 ,sleep6 blessed1 blessed ,sleep6 ,thou dost take the burdens from the weary and fling them into the waters of oblivion2 the infant1 in its guileless rest1 is pillowed on thy lap1 and the aged lean lovingly on thy shoulder4 ,merciful was the great ,father of all1 that he did permit thee to follow ,adam from ,paradise1 and travel with his children in this world of guilt1--thus are we permitted to forget1 for a while1 at least1 our sorrows and our sins4 ,early the next morning ,i went on board a steamboat for ,wheeling1 and though shrinking and timid1 ,i still found protection and kindness when needed2 but when we arrived1 at midnight1 in the village of ,p41 and ,i found myself alone in a large1 desolate-looking room of the hotel1 all the former feeling of sadness came over me1 and with them an indefinable dread of the future4 ,i must send word to the patrons of the school that ,i had arrived3 and fearful that their expectations would be disappointed1 ,i could not sleep4 ,the next morning ,i despatched a messenger1 and two of the trustees called4 ,they were polite1 but said little1 excepting what related to business2 but when they left me1 remarked1 ,we will procure a more agreeable home for you than this4 ,i thanked them with my lips1 but they little comprehended how earnestly the heart craved for a home again4 ,the day passed1 and ,i saw no one till the twilight shadows were creeping into that lonely room1 and with them also dim visions of home and friends1 bringing with them that sad heart-longing which the young feel during their first absence from home1 when ,i was startled from my reverie by a gentle knock at my door4 ,i opened it1 and an old lady stood before me1 so kind1 so motherly in her appearance1 and so plainly yet tastefully dressed1 that my heart clung to her at first sight4 ,if my ,father in heaven had sent an angel to me1 ,i should certainly have chosen just such a face and garb1 in my present condition1 rather than the white robes and bright-winged cherubs of ,raphael's glorious fancy4 ,why1 my dear child1 said she1 as if struck at once by my girlish figure and pallid face1 you must have been lonely here to-day1 and you need a mother to nurse and take care of you after your long journey4 ,my name is ,warner1 and ,i am going to take you home with me1 if you will go4 ,my brother called this morning1 and my husband would have accompanied me1 but he was very busy2 and ,i was so fearful that you would be homesick1 that ,i thought ,i would come and introduce myself4 ,my heart bounded with delight1 and ,i could hardly speak for gratitude2 and ,i said so little1 and that in such a blundering way1 that ,i was afraid she would not know how much relief she had brought me4 ,come1 my dear1 get your bonnet1 said she pleasantly1 and ,i will send for your baggage4 ,i obeyed1 and in a few minutes we stopped at a large but neat residence1 almost hid in a profusion of shrubbery4 ,the climbing multiflora rose covered one side of the house1 and1 with welcome intrusiveness1 peeped into the chamber windows1 while a honeysuckle and woodbine threw their mantle of green over the door1 and mingled their blossoms with those of a tall snowball tree1 which had grown high1 and1 clinging to the house1 showered a white welcome upon every corner4 ,a few steps from the house1 on the right side1 but in the same enclosure1 was a small brick office2--on the other side a cottage1 shaded by two large beech trees1 children of the forest1 spared by some merciful woodman when the land was cleared4 ,such was the outward appearance of my new home--a word as to its inmates4 ,my companion ushered me into a small sitting-room1 prettily furnished1 and occupied at the time by two persons1--one a tall1 white-haired old gentleman1 with spectacles on nose1 reading the newspaper--the other ,mrs4 ,travis1 a young widow1 the daughter of ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,warner1 who had returned again to the home of her youth4 ,she was sewing as we entered1 but1 laying aside her work1 rose to greet us4 ,her countenance was plain1 but a pair of sparkling black eyes gave animation and expression to her features2 and1 as ,i returned her salutation1 ,i thought her welcome not quite so cordial as her mother's4 ,it seemed to express this--,whether you and ,i like each other will depend on circumstances4 ,but the old gentleman looked at me for an instant over his spectacles2 then1 laying them aside with his paper1 rose1 and taking my hand1 welcomed me to the ,west with a hearty greeting2 then1 placing a chair near to his own1 begged me to be seated4 ,his whole countenance was expressive of goodness2 and1 as ,i sat down by his side in all the timidity of a girlish stranger1 ,i felt1 for the first time since leaving home1 a delicious sense of security and peace4 ,it seemed as if the wing of some guardian angel was over me1 and a refuge opened in time of sorrow4 ,and here1 en passant1 ,i must add1 those first impressions never changed2 and1 from that hour till the day when that blessed spirit was carried by angels to its own pure home in heaven1 ,i always found consolation in trouble1 advice in perplexity1 and gentle reproof in error1 by the side of the good old man4 ,how sweet was the fragrance of his daily life1 and how precious the kiss he imprinted upon my forehead1 and the blessing he implored upon my head when ,i bade him farewell6 ,oh6 the hopeless darkness of atheism1 which draws the veil of oblivion between us and all further intercourse with such spirits6 ,no1 no6--let us rather say with ,st4 ,paul1 ,i know in whom ,i have believed2 and with ,job1 ,i shall live again4 ,but my limits forbid any extended notice of the members of the family1 though the years ,i spent under that charmed roof are marked in my life with a white stone4 ,there ,i emerged from the bashful1 timid girl1 into the more active1 energetic woman2 and under the blessed influence of love ,i trust ,i grew wiser and happier4 ,when1 at nine o'clock1 the family ,bible was opened1 and father ,read a portion with judicious care1 ,and ',let us worship ,god1' he said with solemn air2 and all knelt at the family altar in prayer1 my own heart was full1 and ,i was thankful that no eye could see my face4 ,soon afterwards the old lady said1 ,you look tired1 and must retire2 ,i will show you to your room4 ,then1 leading me through a small entry1 she opened the door of a commodious room1 saying1 as she did so1 ,this will be yours4 ,it was carpeted1 a centre-table was in the middle of the room1 an open stove with its grate1 ready at any chilly hour for coal1 and a nice1 cosy-looking bed in one corner of the apartment4 ,the old lady lighted a candle1 and bade me good night4 ,did she1 or did she not1 think ,i was a cold-hearted little thing1 that ,i said good night in such a low1 tremulous tone8 ,i know not2 but this ,i do know1 that1 as soon as she had left the room1 ,i sat down1 and1 laying my head on the table1 burst into tears4 ,they were tears of thankfulness and joy1 and they refreshed the heart1 as a summer shower the parched earth4 ,i seemed a child again1 and1 with my childhood's prayer upon my lips1 ,i dropped to sleep that night4 ,i would love to sit and write till night about my after-life there1 but ,i have limited myself to one little episode1 and to that ,i will proceed4 ,i had been there some months2 ,elizabeth had learned that we were so unlike that we could love1 and neither be enemies nor rivals4 ,her high1 ambitious1 buoyant spirit had nothing to fear from the timid1 yielding1 sensitive girl who was to be her companion4 ,not a single trait in the character of each came in collision4 ,one was self-reliant1 could keep her own secrets1 extricate herself from her own difficulties1 feared none but ,god1 cared little for the opinion of others1 loved deeply1 hated cordially4 ,the other had an inordinate love of approbation1 lacked hope and courage1 but1 supported by a stronger arm1 could endure the bitterest trial even to the end4 ,the one was proud to uphold1 the other loved to trust4 ,and thus we moved on1 loved and loving1 whereas1 had we resembled each other more closely1 bitter heart-burnings and jealousies might have been the result4 ,one day we sat together in the little sitting-room4 ,we were reading ,deerbrook1 by ,miss ,martineau1 and wondering that such want of trust and faith should ever take place between sisters1 when the door-bell rang1 and a young gentleman1 a total stranger to us1 was ushered in4 ,he was a tall young man1 with a fresh countenance1 a somewhat diffident manner1 and gray eyes1 which had a downcast expression4 ,it was difficult for him to observe that simple rule of politeness1 ,look directly at the person to whom you speak4 ,mr4 ,warner endeavoured to make him more at his ease by casual remarks upon the weather1 and other topics of the day2 but he elicited little besides ,yes1 sir1 ,no1 sir1 ,i agree with you perfectly1 sir1 and suchlike replies4 ,at last he drew a card from his pocket1 and handed it to ,mr4 ,warner1 saying1 ,i have been in town some days1 and am looking out for an office4 ,learning that the one near your house is unoccupied1 ,i have made an early application4 ,i will think of it1 said the old gentleman4 ,this is ,dr4 ,vandorsen1 ladies1 come to take up his residence in our village4 ,this somewhat awkward introduction over1 ,i took the opportunity to slip out of the room1 just as they commenced talking upon the terms of rent and other business matters4 ,well1 now1 said ,elizabeth1 as she came hastily into my room1 an hour afterwards2 what do you think of the ,doctor8 ,why1 ,i haven't thought of him since ,i left the room2 ,i have been preparing my lesson in ,butler's ,analogy1 and ,i assure you it requires all the strength of my feeble brain to grasp his arguments and make them clear to my class4 ,a truce to such work6 ,i thought you had been studying the young stranger's physiognomy1 and were prepared to give me an analysis of his character4 ,let me see1 ,i said2 ,i cannot give you his character1 but ,i believe his personal appearance ,i can remember2 cheeks like your rusty-coat apples1 rusty brown with a touch of red1 foxy eyes1 slick1 very slick hair1 as the ,yankees say1 an inflexible spine1 and in one respect only like ,st4 ,paul4 ,pray what is that8 ,brethren1 ,i came unto you in much weakness of speech4 ,lizzy's eyes snapped1 and she looked1 for a moment1 almost angry4 ,then1 said she1 ,i really thought you had some penetration of character1 but ,i must be mistaken4 ,did you not see the evidence of fine feelings beneath that bashful exterior8 ,and then he was so modest and unassuming2 why ,i no sooner heard his errand than my fancy drew a beautiful picture in perspective4 ,he seemed so much like yourself1--you that we are beginning to love so much1 that ,i thought it would be love at first sight4 ,father will let him have the office1 and then here's the cottage3 a nice1 snug place it would be for you1 and we could have you always with us1 and a doctor handy to cure 'the ills to which flesh is heir4' ,you have a vivid imagination1 truly2 but let me tell you that you are right in supposing that ,i have very little penetration of character4 ,i have none2 but sometimes1 though ,i cannot account for it1 ,i have a strong aversion to a person on the first meeting2 and when it is so1 ,i never overcome it4 ,nonsense1 said ,lizzy1 that is all imagination2 a belief without reason1 but it cannot be so in this case4 ,we will leave this for the present1 ,i said2 and ,i will take more particular notice of the ,doctor the next time4 ,if you like him1 ,i have no doubt ,i shall also4 ,but why so disinterested8 why not take the good ,doctor yourself1 and then the office and cottage will follow as a life possession for him8 ,why1 don't you know1 my dear child1 he is not the man for me8 ,i should be the death of so amiable a personage in two years4 ,if ,i marry again1 it must be a man of boldness and spirit4 ,i care not if he have the temper of ,bonaparte1 if he have his courage and spirit4 ,and could you endure like ,josephine8 ,you forget the broken vows and crushed hopes4 ,a shade passed over her countenance a moment4 ,let us not talk about marriage now1 said she4 ,agreed1 ,i replied4 ,i must study1 and bury all other aspirations for the present in my school4 ,the next day the ,doctor took possession of the office1 and long rows of vials and boxes of bones usurped the place of law books and deeds4 ,the boy pounded medicines in the morning1 and the ,doctor played on his flute at night4 ,he was neighbourly1 and very attentive to both the young ladies1 evidently studying to make no difference in his attentions4 ,to be sure1 he talked most with myself1 and ,i noticed whenever an opportunity occurred1 ,lizzy would direct the conversation to some subject in which ,i was especially interested4 ,every ,wednesday evening we went to a lecture1 and he was usually present to accompany the family4 ,the whole family seemed interested in him1 and good old ,mr4 ,warner too1 especially as he now spoke of his intention to join the church4 ,when that event did take place1 ,i found some excuse for staying at home4 ,the more ,i tried to overcome it1 the stronger my aversion became4 ,i thought it must be groundless--the rest of the family had more experience and wisdom than myself1--why then should ,i feel such an unaccountable prejudice towards an innocent young gentleman who had done me no harm8 ,i determined to overcome it1 and most severely did ,i blame myself for suspecting that any other than holy motives led to this public act of consecration4 ,the next evening1 when he proposed to me that we should take a short walk1 ,i cheerfully consented4 ,as we passed a large flouring mill1 he said1 ,this1 ,i believe1 is ,mr4 ,warner's8 ,yes1 ,i replied4 ,it seems1 to be a very valuable one4 ,one of the most so in the region4 ,the old gentleman came to this country many years ago4 ,like ,abraham1 he went forth1 not knowing whither he went1 and like him has he been prospered4 ,he has flocks and herds1 houses and lands1 and1 what shall ,i call those8 ,i asked1 as a drove of swine marked by him came grunting along with their snub noses in the gutter4 ,oh1 that is but one species of property1 he remarked1 and has its value4 ,the good old man seems to be very worthy4 ,worthy6 ,i repeated to myself--what harm in that1 and yet ,i didn't like the question1 or rather the tone of the remark4 ,he is one of the excellent of the earth--belonging to that species of salt which never loses its savour4 ,they seem to be a very affectionate family1 no wonder they feel almost idolatry for their interesting daughter4 ,did you know her husband8 ,not at all1 ,i replied1 and by my silence indicated that ,i had no wish to continue this conversation4 ,the very next morning ,i had occasion to go into the private room or study of the old gentleman1 to deposit in his hands a sum of money1 the proceeds of my labour1 and for which he gave me good interest and security4 ,i found the old lady there1 and as ,i opened the door she remarked1 ,oh yes1 husband1 lend him freely if he needs2 he is young1 and a hundred dollars may aid him greatly now2 ,i have perfect confidence in the ,doctor4 ,i bit my lip1 for ,i found myself inclined to smile1 and did not wish to be observed4 ,but the old gentleman remarked the expression of my face1 and looking over his spectacles archly said1 ,ay1 ay1 my little schoolma'am6 and so you don't think so highly of the ,doctor as the rest of us1 or do you sail under false colours just now8 ,i have no cause for that1 ,i replied1 and if ,i had1 your penetration would find it out2 so honesty is really my best policy1 for no other reason than because ,i can have no other4 ,well1 time works wonders2 ,i only desire that you settle among us1 and ,i must say1 prudence would hardly advise the ,doctor at present2 so take good care of yourself and all will come right1 so giving me my receipt and a kiss on the cheek1 ,i left the good couple in the act of counting out a hundred dollars for the ,doctor4 ,weeks passed1 and ,lizzy1 delighted at every new patient the ,doctor had and at the increasing reputation she thought he was gaining1 always had some interesting fact to relate to me when ,i returned from school at night4 ,at one time he had refused all pay from a sick old woman1 one of ,lizzy's protgs1 whom he visited daily4 ,at another time1 he had spent half a day in the garden with her good mother1 budding1 trimming1 and tying up her bushes2 again1 he had gone into the field and mowed for three hours1 to help her father1 when there was a prospect of rain4 ,and wouldn't he make a good husband1 ,sissy dear8 she said4 ,yes1 love1 if he was only a little more fiery1 like ,bonaparte1 and had the courage and spirit of a hero4 ,lizzy looked annoyed4 ,in the mean time1 common report had1 to my great vexation1 coupled the ,doctor's name with mine2 but to attempt to stem the current of village gossip is like using ,dame ,partington's broom to sweep the sea4 ,firmness and patience are the only salves for such annoyances4 ,happily1 a vacation of a week occurred1 and ,i was to spend it with one of my pupils4 ,on my return1 it was a pleasant summer's evening1 the doors were open1 and the same vines and trees which the year before looked so inviting to the little homesick girl1 were again loaded with blossoms4 ,the old folks sat just inside the door enjoying the mild air1 and ,lizzy on an ottoman1 which stood on the broad step4 ,the ,doctor1 with a hideous black patch on the side of his forehead1 and one arm in a sling1 stood leaning in a picturesque attitude by her side4 ,lizzy's eyes looked milder than ,i ever saw them before1 and when she turned them upon the ,doctor1 there was an expression of interest and sympathy which ,i had never noticed before4 ,the victory is won1 ,i said to myself1 and then1 like a shadow on my heart1 came those first impressions1 which no after acquaintance had removed4 ,mr4 ,warner came forward to welcome me1 and wait upon me into the house1 saying to the ,doctor1 with a smile1 ,we will excuse all want of gallantry this evening4 ,and excuse me1 also1 he replied1 ,i will do myself the pleasure of calling on ,miss ,porter to-morrow1 he said4 ,what in the name of wonder has happened8 ,i said to ,lizzy1 who had flown to my side as the ,doctor left4 ,oh1 it is quite a story1 ,i assure you2 but ,i ought not to tell you1 for ,i shall spoil it for the ,doctor to-morrow4 ,he tells it so well2 you'll find that your stammering ,st4 ,paul can speak with the tongue of an angel sometimes4 ,but my curiosity would not allow me to wait3 and in truth1 neither would ,lizzy's enthusiasm permit her to do the same2 so she gave the outlines1 promising that the ,doctor should fill them up in the morning4 ,would you believe it1 she commenced1 the ,doctor has been robbed and shot at1 and-- ,shot at1 and then robbed1 ,sis1 said the old gentleman4 ,there1 ,i knew ,i should spoil the story4 ,never mind1 do go on1 ,i said1 where1 pray8 ,why1 on the turnpike road to ,mc,connelsville2 don't you remember a piece of woods there8 ,why1 yes2 but honest black ,gassoway's house is near about half way as you pass the woods4 ,i came from there on horseback1 at eight o'clock in the evening1 only two weeks ago4 ,you must never go there again1 my child1 said ,mrs4 ,warner1 in a sort of sepulchral tone2 it may be the death of you4 ,just as the ,doctor came to where the woods commenced1 two horrible-looking ruffians with masks came out of the woods1 and while one seized the horse's bridle1 the other pointed a pistol to his heart1 and demanded his money4 ,he had two hundred dollars by him1 which he was then taking to a man he owed4 ,it was all the spare money he had2 you know the ,doctor is just commencing his profession1 and he does not wish to urge his debtors too hard at present4 ,but he was too brave to yield at once2 he knocked the pistol aside1 but it went off1 grazing his arm2 but after a hard fight with his opponents1 he found they were too much for him1 and after resigning all his money he came back home4 ,isn't it too bad1 so industrious and prudent as he seems to be8 ,it is a hard case surely2 but for the life of me ,i cannot imagine how robbers dared come so near the town2 the pistol-shot must have been heard at ,gassoway's4 ,no1 it was midnight1 and they were sound asleep1 probably4 ,i wish they had heard and gone in pursuit4 ,the next day was ,sunday1 and1 as usual1 ,i went to meeting in the evening4 ,lizzy complained of slight indisposition1 and did not accompany us2 but when we returned we found the two invalids together1 and one at least looking very agreeable1 though ,lizzy's face expressed embarrassment whenever she caught my eye4 ,the next morning the good old lady called me into her room a little while before the hour of school1 and1 bidding me sit down by her side1 said affectionately1 but seriously1 ,my child1 do you love the ,doctor8 ,though not naturally mirthful1 ,i could scarce refrain from laughing in the old lady's face4 ,respect forbade1 and ,i answered1 with all the seriousness ,i could command1 ,dear ,aunty1 because you and ,lizzy wished it1 ,i have tried hard to do so2 but ,i do not love him1 and ,i am convinced ,i never can4 ,the good woman looked relieved1 and said1 ,i am glad it is so2 you are far away from home and friends1 and ,i should be sorry to have you in trouble while with us4 ,come to me at all times with your sorrows1 and ,i will try and be a mother to you4 ,the smiles were now exchanged for tears4 ,what in the world does any one wish to cry for1 when they are grateful8 ,but some seem to have that unfortunate propensity4 ,i was only to add1 said the old lady1 that the ,doctor loves ,lizzy2 and ,i feared1 she said1 it might make one heart sad4 ,we fancied you felt more interest in the ,doctor than you are willing to acknowledge4 ,i now give you a solemn promise1 ,i said1 and it was sealed with a kiss1 that ,i will always speak the truth to yourself4 ,this conversation only gave me new cause for regret4 ,i could not see my dear ,lizzy married to the ,doctor1 so long as ,i was unable to shake off my own dislike to him1 and my own mouth was fettered by the suspicions concerning myself4 ,for two days ,i was pondering in my own mind what could be done2 and learning that ,mr4 ,warner would permit no engagement to take place at present1 concluded that time and patience would bring all right4 ,thus ,i mused1 with my book open1 but my mind wandering1 when ,lizzy burst into the room4 ,heigh-ho6 my little hypocrite1 you never can keep a secret1 you say4 ,is that the truth8 ,and she held a card towards me4 ,i never had any secrets to keep1 ,lizzy1 so ,i don't know how much strength ,i possess4 ,well here1 then--',joseph ,dushey1 ,st4 ,louis1 ,mo4' ,upon my word1 ,lizzy1 ,i know no more about this gentleman than yourself4 ,does he wish to see me8 ,that he does1 and is waiting your ladyship's presence in the parlour4 ,some business relating to the school1 ,i said4 ,i must not keep him waiting4 ,so to the parlour ,i went1 and soon found myself in the presence of a gentleman upon whom nature had put her unmistakeable sign of nobility4 ,his address and manner were those of one accustomed to refined society1 and his ease and suavity quite overcame my own timidity4 ,but1 after a few minutes' general conversation1 it was his turn to become embarrassed2 and1 after apologizing for interference in my private affairs1 he said that1 hearing that an engagement of marriage existed between myself and ,dr4 ,vandorsen1 he had felt it his duty to expose the character of the ,doctor4 ,it was painful1 but it seemed to him an act of justice and mercy4 ,he then related the history of this adventurer--a reckless swindler1 ingratiating himself into the favour of others1 and then repaying kindness with black ingratitude4 ,i have often1 he said1 from regard to his father1 helped him to money4 ,he is owing me now2 and1 learning that ,i was in the vicinity1 he invented the account of the sham robbery1 which he says took place on ,saturday evening4 ,he then placed in my hands the papers containing proofs of that which he had asserted1 and again1 with much delicacy1 apologized for his intrusion4 ,i thanked him most sincerely for what he had done1 and assuring him that no such engagement existed between us1 yet these papers were valuable as guarding against future trouble for others4 ,he allowed me to retain them4 ,on going to my room ,i sat down and examined them carefully1 and blessed ,god that ,i had it in my power to save ,lizzy from a dreadful sacrifice4 ,i laid them aside1 determined to place them in the hands of ,mr4 ,warner in the morning4 ,when morning came1 the ,doctor's office was found deserted2 the key hung upon the outside1 his valuables were removed1 and from that time to this ,i have heard nothing from ,dr4 ,vandorsen1 nor has my good mother ,warner or her family4 ,neither have the two hundred dollars1 which they at different times loaned him1 ever been returned4 ,lizzy is most delightfully situated1 and ,i know of but one drawback to her perfect happiness1 viz41 that her husband is one of the most amiable of men1 never allowing his temper to conquer his reason1 and never likely to allow ambition to overpower the deep affection he bears his wife4 ,a ,,cenotaph4 ,,august1 #aggf4 ,,by ,,erastus ,w4 ,,ellsworth4 ,it was a notion of the ancients1 that if one perished at sea1 or where his body could not be found1 the only way to procure repose for him was to build an empty tomb1 and by certain rites and invocations1 call his spirit to the habitation prepared for it4 ,,eschenburg4 ,i4 #a4 ,the memory of ,nathan ,hale1 ,who1 in the days of strife1 ,for freedom of our native land1 ,laid down his noble life4 ,lord ,howe1 ,cornwallis1 ,percy earl ,were come in wide array1 ,and from ,long ,island to ,new ,york ,had pushed our guns away4 ,our ,father looked across the ,sound1 ,disaster groaned behind1 ,and many dubious1 anxious thoughts ,were labouring in his mind4 ,knowlton1 said he1 ,i need a man1 ,such as is hard to meet1 ,a trusty1 brave1 and loyal man1 ,and skilful in deceit4 ,the ,british1 now in ,brooklyn lodged1 ,may divers plans pursue3 ,find me a man to go and spy ,what ,howe intends to do4 ,said ,knowlton1 ,sir1 ,i make no doubt ,many apt men have we4 ,he went4 ,at nightfall he returned ,with ,hale in company4 #b4 ,young friend1 said ,washington to ,hale1 ,it much imports to know ,what mischief ,howe is brooding on2 ,which way intends to go4 ,but though you might1 with help of ,grace1 ,unmask his schemes of ill1 ,i will not risk your generous blood ,without your perfect will4 ,grave ,sir1 said ,hale1 ,i left my home1 ,not for the love of strife1 ,but for my country's cause resolved1 ,knowing ,i risked my life4 ,between my duty and my will1 ,in service light or sore1 ,it is not now for me to choose1 ,for that was done before4 ,let not your ,excellency poise ,what may to me ensue2 ,but weigh the service to be done1 ,and judge my power to do4 ,well said2 then briefly thus3--,put on ,some other self-disguise-- ,and by to-morrow morning be ,among our enemies4 ,go safely curious how you will1 ,and spy whate'er you may1 ,of how their troops have borne the bruise ,they gave us yesterday4 ,and deeper else--our chief concern1 ,and study at this hour-- ,find if their guns are hither aimed2 ,or1 with divided power1 ,cleft from the rearward of their force1 ,while we stand here attent2 ,or farther south1 or farther north1 ,they mean to make descent4 ,brooklyn to them is vantage-ground4 ,find what you can4 ,to know ,the mischief in a foeman's thought ,is half to foil a foe4 ,the moon goes down--,by nine1 said ,hale4 ,said ,knowlton3 ,nay1 at ten4 ,can you be off so soon as that8 ,i hardly think by then3 ,nor would--for let me plead that ,i1 ,herein1 may yield my breath2 ,and mine affairs ,i would devise ,as if before my death4 ,god knows what hearts may crack for this4 ,but failure1 or no fail1 ,to-morrow morning ,i'll be there1 ,as ,i am ,nathan ,hale4 ,bravely1 my boy6 ,such soul as this ,is better than a host4 ,to dare is little1 if to dare ,unmindful of the cost4 #c4 ,the night was broadly overcast1 ,and the scant moon and stars1 ,from the dim dungeons of the clouds1 ,looked through their iron bars4 ,my worthy lad1 said ,washington1 ,we seek without despair1 ,although we find1 in all yon arch1 ,no sign of morning there4 ,and know whose gracious hand it is ,that times the darkest sky1 ,said ,hale4 ,adieu6 said ,washington1 ,god keep you1--go1--good-bye6 ,,ii4 #a4 ,the flitting ,hours1 with golden brands ,once more adorned with flame1 ,beheld our land in busy act1 ,where war was all the game4 ,out of his cups of deep carouse1 ,that reeled till morning shine1 ,the ,provost of the ,lion camp ,came forth the tented line4 ,an ugly man1--a tiger soul1 ,lodged in a human house1-- ,with whiskey fuming from his hide1 ,and hair about his brows4 ,and ,hale had hid his skiff1 and now ,was coming by the shore1 ,thinking of many serious things ,he never thought before4 ,he mused of all the hard assays ,of this our mortal state2 ,the bitter bruise1 and bloody blows ,of ,virtue matched with ,fate4 ,he heard the larks and robins sing1 ,and tears came in his eyes1 ,to think how man1 and man alone1 ,was cast from ,paradise4 #b4 ,well ,hodge1 how's turnips8 ,what's in this8 ,now who be you8 said ,hale1 ,i aint no ,hodge1--taint turnips1--stop1-- ,let go1--this here's for sale4 ,powder and grog6 be quiet1 lad4 ,tobacco6 by my soul6 ,rebel1 we've come to take the land1-- ,hands off6--,i seize the whole4 ,the ,provost wheeled towards the camp4 ,hale followed with a cry3 ,give me my pack--now--come--you sir6 ,clod-shoes1 get home6--not ,i4 ,but epaulettes were on the road4-- ,the trick was getting worse4 ,the ,provost dumped the pack aside1 ,with a substantial curse4 ,wa'al1 mister1 that's the han'some thing6 ,that are tobaker's prime4 ,i knowed you didn't mean to grab1-- ,i knowed it all the time4 ,i'm goin' to peddle1 up to camp1 ,and if you only would ,go snacks1 and help me sell1 you might4 ,come1 ,i should say you could4 ,yorky1 pick up your pack1 hook on1 ,hook on1 we'll make it even4 ,the lines were passed1 the countersign1-- ,whither away1--was given4 ,i see1 said ,hale1 within himself1 ,this man's internal shape1-- ,the ,devil can do a gracious turn1 ,to shy a graceless scrape4 #c4 ,gay was the camp with liveried men2 ,some trimmed the gun and blade1 ,some chatted in the morning sun1 ,some slept along the shade4 ,and some bore out the soldier dead ,on his unfollowed bier-- ,the soldier dead1 the hapless dead1 ,who died without a tear4 ,so lately wept from ,england's shore1 ,and winged with prayers afar1 ,to feel the piercing thunder-shock1 ,gored by the horns of ,war4 #d4 ,cried ,hale1 ,who buys8 who buys8 who buys8 ,hearts6 ,boys6 ,my lads6 ,hooraw6 ,thrippence a junk1 ,britannia rule-- ,don't any of you chaw8 ,and all the while his wily eye ,was taking curious notes ,of men1 and arms1 and sheeted carts1 ,and guns with stoppered throats4 ,boys1 what you goin' to doin' on8 ,hello6--this way that beer4 ,you goin' to captivate ,new ,york8 ,pine-shillin' piece--look here-- ,sing us a song4 ',bout what8 said ,hale4 ,sing us ',all in the ,doons'-- ',britannia ,rule'--',god save the ,king'-- ,said ,hale1 ,don't know the tunes4 ,cornwallis now came walking by1-- ,the ,capting1 hey8 ,it is4 ,hale folded up an ample slice3 ,d'ye s'pose he'd 'xcept of this8 ,mad with the thought1 to see the clown ,break his own pate with fun1 ,do it1 said they4 ,said ,hale1 ,i will4 ,jerry's respects--'twas done4 ,and back he came with open grin2 ,took it like ile6 said he4 ,i swow6 ,i done the handsome thing-- ,he done it1 too1 to me4 ,,iii4 #a4 ,sins are like waters in a gap2 ,like flames to leap a check2 ,if cable ,conscience crack a strand1 ,a man may go to wreck4 ,sins never shut the doors of hearts ,that give good cheer to sin1 ,but always leave them open wide1 ,for others to come in4 ,disdaining ours1 for ,england's camp1 ,there lurked a man about1 ,who1 flushed with shame and rage of heart1 ,like ,judas1 had gone out4 ,he left us1 and he swore revenge1 ,and vengeance did not fail4 ,the courteous fiend1 who led his steps1 ,conducted him to ,hale-- ,his kinsman--one whose generous hand1 ,impelled by bold desire1 ,had saved him once1 and still endured ,the seal of it in fire4 ,he met him coming from the camp2 ,he saw--he knew the hand-- ,he saw the whole--and in the road ,he made a sudden stand4 ,hum6 ha6--,it's ,captain ,hale1 ,i think4 ,nathan1 how do you do8 ,sorry ,i am to see you here-- ,sorry ,i am for you4 ,off from the sudden heart of ,hale ,all his disguises fell3 ,cousin6 good ,god6--go back with me4 ,and all shall yet be well4 ,it cannot be4 ,you came to dare1 ,and you must take the rod4 ,said ,hale1 ,this hand1 at ,judgment day1 ,will fan the wrath of ,god4 ,speak not of ,god1 the traitor said2 ,a good ,french faith have ,i-- ',no man hath seen ,him1' ,scripture saith1 ,and 'all is vanity4' ,hale1 finding how the scoundrel feared ,nor ,god's nor man's award1 ,looked for a handy stick or stone1 ,to quicken his regard4 ,but1 tiger-soon1 the renegade ,had gripped his arms around3 ,ah1 ha6--yes1 yes--help6 help6 he cried1 ,and crushed him to the ground4 #b4 ,fettered on straw1 with soldier guards1 ,the tent-lamp trembling low1 ,the morrow was his day of doom1 ,that night a night of woe4 ,and half the night the gallows sound ,of hammers filled his ears1 ,like strokes upon a passing-bell1 ,telling his numbered years4 ,his numbered years--alas6 how brief6 ,and ,memory searched them back1 ,like one who searches1 with a light1 ,upon a midnight track4 ,the fields1 the woods1 the humming school1 ,the idly-pondered lore1 ,and the fair-fingered girl that shared ,his dinner at the door2 ,his room1 beneath the homestead eaves1 ,wherein he laid his head2 ,his mother1 come to take the light1 ,and see him warm in bed4 ,these1 and their like1 distinct and bright1 ,came back1 and fired his brain ,with visions1 all whose sweetness now ,was but exalted pain4 ,,iv4 #a4 ,ere silence droops her fluttering wing1 ,the pang may all be past2 ,and oft1 of good men's latter hours1 ,the easiest is their last4 ,the morn was up1 the flickering morn ,of summer1 towards the fall4 ,bravely is all1 the guardsman said2 ,said ,hale1 ,god's grace is all4 ,and now the ,provost-,marshal came ,with soldiers--all was ripe2 ,but out of ,hale's tobacco1 first1 ,he filled and smoked a pipe4 ,forth passed the man1 through all disguise1 ,with look so sweet and high2 ,he showed no sort of dread1 at all1 ,of what it was to die4 ,come to the cart1 whose doleful planks ,beneath his feet did creak1 ,he bowed1 and looked about1 and stood ,in attitude to speak4 ,holloa6 hoa6 drummer1 bring your drum1 ,play ,yankee ,doodle here-- ,play1 while we crack the rebel's neck4 ,earl ,percy then drew near3 ,provost1 said he1 ,i shame at this4 ,let the lad have his say1 ,or you shall find who rules the camp2 ,and so he walked away4 #b4 ,soldiers1 said ,hale1 you see a man ,whom ,death must have and keep2 ,and things there are1 if ,i should think1 ,i could not help but weep4 ,but since in darkness1 evermore1 ,god's providences hide1 ,the bravely good1 in every age1 ,by faith have bravely died4 ,that man who scorns his present case1 ,for glorious things to be1 ,i hold that in his scorn he shows ,his soul's nobility4 ,though ,george the ,third completely scourge ,our groaning lives away1 ,it cannot1 shall not be in vain ,that ,i stand here to-day4 ,oh take the wings of noble thought6 ,run out the shapes of ,time1 ,to where these clouds shall lift1 nor leave ,a stain upon the clime4 ,behold the crown of ages gone1 ,sublime and self-possessed2 ,in empire of the floods and shores ,none so completely blest4 ,this land shall come to vast estate1 ,in freedom vastly grow1 ,and ,i shall have a name to live1 ,who helped to build it so4 ,ye patriots1 true and sorely tried1 ,when the dark days assail1 ,i seem to see what tears ye shed1 ,at thought of ,nathan ,hale4 ,where is that man among ye all1 ,who come to see me die1 ,that would not glory in his soul1 ,if he had done as ,i8 ,judge1 then1 how ,i have wrecked my life4 ,and in what cause begun4 ,i sorrow but in one regret1 ,that ,i can lose but one4 ,in ,thee1 ,o ,christ6 ,i now repose-- ,thou art my ,all to me2 ,and unto ,thee1 thou ,triune ,god-- ,oh make my country free6 ,then turning to a guard1 who wept ,like sudden ,april rain1 ,and scattered from his generous eyes ,the drops of holy pain4 ,unto your honest tears ,i trust ,these letters to convey4 ,then1 to the ,provost-,marshal1 ,hale ,did mildly turn1 and say3 ,before from underneath my feet ,the fatal cart is gone1 ,i fain would hear the chaplain pray2 ,sir ,provost have you none8 ,as when a dreadful lion roams ,the torrid sands1 and sees ,a fawn among the valleys drink1 ,beneath the tuneful trees2 ,if1 'chance1 he sees the tender hind ,just move behind an oak1 ,he snaps his teeth1 and snaps his tail1 ,and makes the desert smoke4 ,so1 when the ,provost witnessed ,hale ,to softer hands convey ,his parting love1 and heard him ask ,to hear the chaplain pray1 ,he jumped like mad1 he danced about1 ,did dance1 and roar1 and swear-- ,the furies in his furnace eyes1 ,and in his rampant hair4 ,dog of a thief6 ere you shall have ,priest1 book1 or passing-bell1 ,your rebel hide shall rot in air1 ,your soul shall roast in hell6 ,god's will be done6 said ,nathan ,hale3 ,farewell to life and light6 ,they pulled the cloth about his eyes1 ,and the slack cord was tight4 ,v4 #a4 ,once more the rack1 along the ,sound1 ,curled to the mounting sun1 ,that kissed1 with mercy's beams1 a world ,where such strange things are done4 ,along our lines the sentry walked2 ,the dew was on his hair2 ,he felt the night in every limb1 ,but kept his station there2 ,and watched the shimmering spires1 and saw ,the swallows slide away2 ,when1 o'er the fields1 there came a man1 ,rough1 and in rough array4 ,holla1 you ,yankee scout6 said he1 ,they've caught your ,captain ,hale1 ,and choked him for a traitor spy1 ,dead as a dead door-nail4 ,run--use your rebel soldier legs-- ,tell ,general ,washington4 ,don't wait--you'll be promoted for't-- ,i'll stand and hold your gun4 ,out spake the guard--,you ,british crow1 ,curse on your croaking head6 ,move off1 or else1 ,i swear1 you'll get ,the cartridge and the lead4 #b4 ,full of his news1 the sentry soon ,to ,knowlton told the same4 ,knowlton1 with tears in either eye1 ,to the head-quarters came1 ,and told to ,general ,washington ,poor ,hale's unhappy case4 ,nought answered he1 but bowed awhile1 ,with hands upon his face4 ,then rising1 steadfast and serene1 ,the same great master still-- ,curbing a noble sorrow down ,with a more noble will-- ,bring me1 said he1 my writing-desk1 ,and maps last night begun2 ,send hither ,putnam1 ,lee1 and ,greene1 ,for much is to be done4 ,so perished ,nathan ,hale4 ,god grant ,us not to die as he2 ,but1 for the glorious ,stripes and ,stars1 ,such iron loyalty4 ,,note4--,nathan ,hale was a native of the town of ,coventry1 in ,connecticut2 and graduated at ,yale ,college1 in #aggc4 ,he entered the army of the ,revolution at an early period1 as a captain in a light infantry regiment1 under command of ,colonel ,knowlton4 ,after the defeat of the #bgth ,august1 #aggf1 and the retreat of the ,americans from ,long ,island1 ,washington became exceedingly desirous to gain some information respecting the future operations of the enemy1 and applied to ,colonel ,knowlton1 through whom ,hale was introduced1 and volunteered his services4 ,he disguised himself1 crossed to ,long ,island1 procured admission to the ,british camp1 obtained the information desired1 and was about leaving the ,island1 when a refugee and a relative recognised1 and betrayed him4 ,the case was clear4 ,hale confessed2 and ,sir ,william ,howe ordered him hung the next morning4 ,he suffered like a patriot and a ,christian4 ,i lament1 said he1 that ,i have but one life to lose for my country4 ,the provost-marshal1 who superintended the execution1 was a savage-hearted man1 and refused him the attendance of a clergyman1 and the use of a ,bible1 and destroyed letters which he had written to his mother1 and other friends1 making the remark1 that the rebels should not know that they had a man in their army who could die with so much firmness4 ,an aged physician1 recently deceased1 was accustomed to relate an anecdote that is worthy of preservation4 ,the ,doctor1 when a small boy1 attended a school taught by ,hale in the town of ,east ,windsor1 ,connecticut4 ,one day ,hale was standing at his desk1 in a deep study1 when certain wide-awake boys began to take advantage of his inattention4 ,the narrator thereupon went softly to his side1 touched him1 and pointed to the scene of mischief4 ,hale1 without turning his head1 dropped a look#be upon the little informer--a mild look1 but full of rebuke1--,go back to your seat1 said he4 ,the boy slunk away1 and neither misunderstood nor forgot this rebuke of the ungenerous and disloyal1 from his true-hearted teacher2 and associated as the incident became with the subsequent fate of ,hale1 it made a deep and affecting impression upon his memory4 ,footnote #be3 ,the ,doctor described ,hale as having had remarkably fine and expressive blue eyes4 ,,the ,,dreamer4 ,,by ,,mary ,e4 ,,hewitt4 ,last night he kissed me1--kissed me in my dream6 ,he unto whom ,i with pure flame aspire1-- ,his eyes poured down on mine love's kindling beam1-- ,through all my being ran the immortal fire1 ,i felt cold doubt within my breast expire1-- ,i felt his clasp1 as gently he enwound me2 ,i felt his heart beat1 as he closer bound me2 ,he kissed me6 measure of my soul's desire2 ,he kissed my down-drooped eyelids1--kissed my brow2 ,felt he no thrill1 my well beloved one1 ,while passed the vision that enchains me now8 ,ah1 no6 the ecstasy was mine alone2 ,and1 while the memory on my spirit lies1 ,i fear1 lest he should read my dream within my eyes4 ,illustration3 ,c4 ,schuessele del4 ,drawn by ,capt4 ,s4 ,eastman4 ,chromolith of ,p4 ,s4 ,duval ,phil4 ,,falls ,,of ,s,t4 ,,anthony ,,white ,,moon ,,and ,,fiery ,,man4 ,a ,,legend ,,of ,,the ,,falls ,,of ,,st4 ,,anthony4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,mary ,,eastman4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,the glowing noonday's sun was resting over the rocks that lay and the waters that dashed in the region of ,st4 ,anthony's ,falls4 ,the long row of hills in the distance was tinged with gold1 which mixed gaudily with their purple hues4 ,the dark green of the trees that grew on the opposite shore interposed between the brightness of the hills beyond and the white glare of the foaming waters4 ,above the ,falls1 large trees lay fixed in the river1 notwithstanding the efforts the waves appeared to be making to remove every obstacle that lay in their way1 which led to the edge of the precipice1 where they threw themselves into the abyss below4 ,large and small fragments of rocks dotted the water in every direction1 and in the centre of the ,falls lay a number of rocks reposing against each other1 with rich1 luxuriant shrubs and trees rising from among them4 ,notwithstanding the noise of the falling waters1 and the roaring of the boiling waves below1 there was great beauty mingled with the grandeur of the scene4 ,the width of the river at this point made the height of the ,falls appear less than it really was4 ,the association connected with the death of ,wenona1#bf the injured1 but loving wife1 gave a romantic cast to the red man's thoughts1 as he rested from the toils of the chase near this beautiful scene4 ,he could identify the very spot where she raised her arms1 while the notes of her death-song pealed above all other sounds1 as her slight canoe bent towards her child's and her own grave4 ,he marvelled that the boiling of the waters did not appal her1 or that the voice of her husband did not rouse her from her fatal purpose4 ,but now there is no person near1 to take from the solitary beauty of the scene4 ,if the screaming of the loon were heard1 it was immediately followed by the flapping of her wings1 as she passed to the spirit lakes1 over whose quiet surface she loved better to rest4 ,the deer were all far distant2--the shade of the forest trees was more acceptable now than the rays of the summer's sun4 ,whatever might be the burden of the song of the waters1 it was unheard1 save by the spirits that are ever assembled in numbers around this hallowed spot4 ,when the intense heat had passed away1 a fresh1 invigorating wind was felt among the rocks and waves4 ,evening was unfolding her mantle1 and her breath was playing over the bright flowers that even here enjoy their short season of life4 ,the flitting clouds were gathering towards the horizon1 constantly changing their hues1 and resting in golden lines above the hills4 ,large fish1 the bass1 and the pike1 moved at their ease in the restless waters1 as if there were no fear of being bearded in this their stronghold4 ,the beautiful red deer1 too1 has been tempted to come and be refreshed1--ever on their guard1 though1 as might be seen by the tossing of their heads when the winds rose and whispered over the earth4 ,now they start and flee like lightning1 for the light sound of woman's step is heard2 and in the very spot where one of them rested1 looking over the waves1 stands a slight figure1 bearing in her face and form the marks of youth1 while her short and richly embroidered skirt1 and the crimson okendokenda1 that partly covered her arms and chest1 showed her to belong to a family at least not unimportant among her people4 ,she stood still for some moments in a listening attitude1 her face pale1 and every feature fixed in intense thought4 ,she carried a bundle of small size3 this she seemed to think of value1 for she grasped it as if her life depended on the preservation of what it contained4 ,turning towards the course of the rocks by the river's edge1 she surveyed their way2 then1 bending where she stood1 she looked unappalled at the waters becoming dark by the shadows of evening4 ,there was but little current where she stood1 for the position of the rocks prevented this1 though quite near them the impetuous stream hurried on like one tired of existence1 eager only to reach and be lost in the great ocean of forgetfulness4 ,there was evidently some great difficulty in her position1 for her colour flushed and left her1 and she pressed her hands across her bosom1 without quelling its tumult3 yet it was equally evident her object was self-preservation4 ,life was dear to the young and active blood that animated her veins4 ,there was too much brightness in the depths of those dark eyes to be quenched by death4 ,she looked all around her2 and well might she have asked if the red man's heaven boasted a more beautiful picture than the one now before her4 ,the sound of voices has recalled her from her meditations4 ,loud1 stern voices1 speaking in tones of anger and disappointment4 ,they were not yet very near1 but she knew them well4 ,the language was her own1 but the lips that spoke it were threatening death to her4 ,she recognised his voice--her husband's--he was the pursuer4 ,and she smiled a bitter smile as she listened to the harsh sounds4 ,notwithstanding the perils that surrounded her1 she was as calm as when she sat by her mother's door1 in the far-off home of the ,indians1 who live by ,le ,lac qui ,parle4 ,all her terror1 all her restlessness was forgotten4 ,she raised her arm to its greatest height1 and elevating her lithe frame too1 she threw her bundle as far as her strength enabled her2 listening till the voices sounded nearer1 and the steps could be distinguished in the dead leaves that lay in their path1 she swayed her form to and fro1 and sprung1 laughing as she did so1 from the rocks4 ,then swimming round them1 disappeared1 concealed by the overhanging precipices1 as well as by the thick foliage that grew close to the water's edge4 ,hardly was she out of sight when her place was again occupied4 ,a large1 fierce-looking ,sioux stood where she had been standing4 ,he looked round as if the object of his search might be hid among the rocks and bushes4 ,the waters laughed just as she had1 as he complained of fatigue and disappointment4 ,he looked like a fiend who had forced himself where but a moment ago some gentle spirit had been resting4 ,the passions in their prime worked in his haughty face4 ,stripes of different-coloured paint lay across his cheeks and around his eyes4 ,his broad chest and brawny arms were uncovered--he raised his hand1 and moving it in a half circle1 as he turned towards his companions1 ,i have looked for her until ,i am tired1 he said2 perhaps she has killed herself2 if she is living1 my vengeance shall yet reach her1--,i will tear her heart from her breast4 ,then turning1 wearied and angered beyond endurance1 he strode back towards his home4 ,his giant figure rose far above his companions4 ,his eye flashed like the lion's deprived of his prey4 ,well might they call him the ,fiery ,man4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,we must go back two days before this incident occurred4 ,in a large wigwam were two persons4 ,the one1 a young1 pale woman1 seated on a mat4 ,the white lips and the black shadows beneath the eyes1 told of watchings and despair4 ,no tear moistened the colourless eyelids1 no sigh relieved the overburdened heart4 ,still as death itself1 the young mother gazed on the unconscious cause of her agony4 ,there it lay1 peaceful and calm1 against her throbbing heart4 ,there it lay1 as it was wont1 when seated on the high rocks by the ,mississippi1 it heard the sweet tones of a mother's voice4 ,there it lay1 never to hear even them again4 ,absorbed in her grief1 the mother knew not that there was another in the wigwam4 ,she was recalling1 as she gazed on the crushed flower thus rudely torn from her love1 the many and strange changes of the past year4 ,she had once looked forward to the future1 as the young always do4 ,she loved and was promised to the one she loved4 ,fiery ,man came from afar1 with his powerful1 athletic frame1 and his deep and piercing eyes1 and his voice so low and solemn4 ,he stopped at her father's village1 returning from a successful expedition against the ,sacs2 and he was full of proud boastings4 ,he said he was a great warrior1 and hunter too1 for his lodge was always full of game2 that he had taken more scalps than any brave of his band2 that when he held his enemies1 they were like children in his large hand4 ,in an evil hour his eye fell upon ,white ,moon4 ,he loved her because she was the opposite of himself4 ,he fancied the gentle and submissive way in which she received the directions of her parents4 ,when he saw her eyes droop and her cheek mantle when the warriors danced--when he watched her and marked that she only looked at one--when he inquired1 and learned that to that one was she destined1 then did he mark her for his own2 he was as cool and determined as if he had been aiming his arrow at the frightened grouse2 as sure of his prey as if the bird lay already bleeding at his feet4 ,he went to her mother1 and showed her the rich crimson cloth he had received from the traders on his way4 ,other presents he laid before her1 very valuable then2 for traders were just coming in the country1 and articles for use or adorning were rare among the ,sioux4 ,the mother told him her child was promised1--that ,white ,moon loved the noble young warrior she was to marry1 and she could not break her daughter's heart4 ,the father came in1 and ,fiery ,man showed him his new gun1--they were scarce then1 and were deemed wakun 7supernatural74 ,fiery ,man enlarged upon its merits1 and he pressed on the foolish old man the advantages of securing him as a friend1 by giving him his daughter in marriage4 ,white ,moon's mother interfered1 saying1 her daughter was a good girl1 and deserved to be happy4 ,she was not like the other girls1 always running away to look among the rocks in the water for young beavers2 but she was steady and industrious1 and should make herself happy by marrying the man she loved4 ,fiery ,man stamped1 and his eyes were bloodshot with rage4 ,he showed the parents his medicine-bag2 he would make them know what it was to refuse a medicine-man2 he would charm them2 he would dry up the red rivers of life2 he would make their steps feeble4 ,already would ,white ,moon have trembled1 had she been present4 ,fiery ,man saw his advantage1 and continued3 he was the friend of ,chat-o-tee-dah1 the forest god1 and he could go where no other ,indian could1 protected by this powerful friend4 ,he was strong and brave1 and it was well for the woman who married him1 and for her family too4 ,the old man had kept his eyes fixed on the gun4 ,fiery ,man told him to follow him2 he did so1 but could hardly keep pace with the strides of the tall warrior4 ,fiery ,man led him towards the lowlands1 where1 among the trees1 the woodcock were in numbers4 ,they seated themselves on a mound1 the work of their more enlightened ancestors2 they were quiet at first1 only listening to the passing of the birds through the low trees4 ,fiery ,man pointed the gun1 and fired2 the birds fell to the ground4 ,the old man laughed1 and ,fiery ,man showed him the powder and shot4 ,he took the gun and explained to his companion the mode of preparing it to fire4 ,ha6 said he1 you cannot shoot as well as ,i2 but try and bring down one4 ,the old man pointed1 and fired2 his aim was sure3 again a bird fell before his astonished gaze4 ,it is yours1 said ,fiery ,man1 and the girl is mine4 ,we will go back and tell her mother what we have agreed upon4 ,again he led the way1 and the old man followed him back to the wigwam4 ,there they found mother and daughter4 ,there were tears upon the cheek of the latter2 she was soon to know how vainly they were shed4 ,she turned away from the gaze of her tall lover1 and hid her face against her mother's bosom4 ,tell her1 said ,fiery ,man to ,white ,moon's father2 but the old man knew of the bitter dregs he would stir up in the fountain of life before him3 he could not find words to tell the young maiden her doom4 ,fiery ,man could not brook the delay4 ,he laid his brawny hand on the young head that had not yet been lifted from its refuge-place4 ,she is mine1 he said to the mother2 ,i have bought her4 ,that wakun gun is her father's1 that red cloth is yours4 ,white ,moon must go with me to my lodge3 she must give me warriors like myself for sons4 ,she will be obedient and happy1 because her husband is powerful1 and feared4 ,white ,moon raised her head and looked in his face2 for hope8 as well might she have asked it in the glancing of the tomahawk of a ,chippeway4 ,that dark1 stern face was softened1 it is true3 but it was from the contemplation of her attractive features2 pride was changed to satisfaction3 but it was because he knew that the graceful figure which clung to her mother for protection would soon lean only on him4 ,she sighed and turned away her face2 she trembled and sank upon the mat with weakness2 no hope--all her bright visions changed3 darkness and gloom had come where day had presided in all her brightness4 ,a short time saw ,fiery ,man lead to his wigwam his sad young wife1 wearied to death with her long journey4 ,could love have consoled her1 she had been happy3 for she was as dear as life to the heart of the passionate1 overbearing man4 ,as he led her into the wigwam1 he pointed to its present occupant4 ,he said she was his sister1 but the first glance did the same4 ,there was the tall1 gaunt figure2 the fierce1 flashing eye2 the passionate1 commanding countenance2 but far more repelling in her than in him4 ,white ,moon read her own fate2 she was to endure hatred as well as love4 ,she could see no shelter from the storm that was settling over her head4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,the sister of ,fiery ,man stood unnoticed1 we have said1 in the lodge where ,white ,moon sat with her dead child4 ,on her back she carried a large bundle of wood4 ,as she threw it to the ground1 the noise roused ,white ,moon from her dreams4 ,she rose from her mat1 clasping the child yet more closely to her breast4 ,giving one look towards her sister1 in which was concentrated all the passion and all the harshness of which she was capable1 she left the lodge4 ,the crimson flush soon died away from her face1 and she was calm and pale as before4 ,assisted by several of the women1 she proceeded to place her child upon its last resting-place4 ,it was at some distance from the lodge1 yet in sight4 ,she returned1 and carried to the place of burial the cradle and some little trinkets belonging to the child1 and hung them in reach of the infant's hand1 on the scaffolding4 ,all day she sat on the ground near it4 ,she wept there1 as only a mother can weep1 for her first and only child4 ,she refused the food the women offered her2 she had not eaten since its death4 ,even when night came1 she was still there1 through its long watches giving vent to her violent grief4 ,the breaking of the morn found her sleeping for a short interval on the ground2 on awakening1 she remembered there were duties that still claimed her care4 ,her new buffalo-skin lodge was still unfinished1 and she had promised her husband she would be in it on her return4 ,the one they were living in was her sister's2 it was an old one1 torn1 and admitting the rain1 so that it was not comfortable4 ,some of the women had assisted her in making it1 and she had still to finish and set it up before the evening4 ,on the day of the child's death she had been obliged to leave her work1 to go out at some little distance to cut wood4 ,she did not1 as usual1 take her child with her3 it was asleep in its carved board cradle1 and she left it in charge of a girl1 the child of one of her friends4 ,fiery ,man's sister had gone out1 telling ,white ,moon she should be away all day4 ,so great was her dread of this proud woman--so fearful was she that she would revenge on her child the hatred she felt towards herself--that otherwise she would not have left the infant at home4 ,the anticipations of ,white ,moon at her first interview with her husband's sister were all realized4 ,this woman possessed all the bad qualities of ,fiery ,man1 without any of his redeeming ones4 ,she had been married1 and was a widow4 ,both of her children were dead3 there was no avenue by which kindness could find its way to her heart4 ,she disliked ,white ,moon1 because she had so won her brother's love4 ,but there needed to assign no reason1 for she disliked all who were better off than she4 ,it is not only in civilized life that the dread passion of envy has full sway3 the human heart1 the same by nature1 varies only by association and circumstance4 ,had it not been for the unhappy disposition of ,fiery ,man's sister1 ,white ,moon had been happy4 ,she could not but be proud of her husband1 and of his affection for her3 it was not in the nature of a ,sioux woman to see unmoved the many trophies of his skill and bravery4 ,but the curse of envy was about her2 and when ,white ,moon smiled over her boy1 and ,fiery ,man exulted in the pride and affection of a ,sioux father for his son1 his sister could not rejoice with them--she envied and hated them4 ,fiery ,man exacted the most implicit obedience from his wife1 and from all around him4 ,he would not have brooked the slightest contradiction from her2 but she did not attempt it4 ,in most cases an ,indian wife is little more than a serving-woman to her husband4 ,to this ,white ,moon was accustomed from observation1 and from her short experience4 ,she trembled at her husband's voice1 though against her it had never been raised in anger4 ,but the violent passions1 the abusive language1 the frequent blows--these1 coming from one who ought to have no power over her1 made her often wish for death4 ,yet so great was the likeness of brother and sister1 that she bowed to the tyranny of the one1 from having done so to the other4 ,her spirit1 too1 was broken4 ,she could easily submit1 but not forget4 ,when she left her child in the wigwam it was quietly sleeping2 when she returned it still slept4 ,she had been a long time away1 and yet the rest of the infant appeared to have been unbroken4 ,she missed the girl who had promised to remain with the child4 ,she had brought a heavy burden of wood to her lodge1 and she sat down by the child to rest1 and to watch its awakening4 ,its unusual paleness alarmed her2 she held her own breath that she might distinguish the breathing of the child1 but in vain4 ,she placed her hand before its parted lips2 the warm breath of infancy did not play upon it4 ,she thought it strange2 but death did not present itself to her mind4 ,going to the door of the lodge1 she looked around1 and saw her sister gazing1 with fixed attention1 towards the wigwam4 ,this alarmed her1 and she returned to her child2 again she listened for its breath3 she pressed its small and clammy hand4 ,then did the real truth flash across her4 ,she took in her arms the infant and rushed with it into the open air4 ,as she stood outside calling for help1 the ,indians collected around her4 ,her sister1 calm and unconcerned1 approached with them and looked on4 ,the ,indian doctors were there1 and ,white ,moon1 under their direction1 carried her child back to the lodge4 ,she placed it on a buffalo-robe1 which was folded on the floor4 ,red ,head1 the great medicine-man1 seated himself near it4 ,he held the sacred rattle1 shaking it1 and chaunting in a loud voice4 ,he shouted to the women to stand off1 for near him1 on the ground1 he had laid his pipe and medicine-bag4 ,white ,moon alternately wept and hoped2 she knew ,red ,head was a powerful medicine-man3 but still her baby showed no signs of life4 ,despairing1 at last1 and frantic with grief1 she broke in upon his incantations4 ,she raised her child1 and placed its little face against her breast4 ,she knew this test would be decisive4 ,there was no motion1 on its part1 to receive the offered sustenance4 ,she raised her despairing eyes1 and they met the cold glances of her sister4 ,then she told ,red ,head there was no hope4 ,she asked to be left alone with her dead2 she wept until the power of weeping was gone3 and then1 until the time was come to place it in its cradle grave1 she held it to her heart4 ,she did not dare reflect on the passionate grief of the father1 when he should return1 and ask of her his son4 ,she could not rouse herself to say1 what she believed to be the case1 that his sister had destroyed it4 ,there was no mark1--no apparent cause for its sudden death4 ,on returning to the wigwam1 after the burial of the child1 she found her sister there1 more than usually bent upon an altercation4 ,she endeavoured to avoid it by employing herself in silence4 ,she eat for the first time since her child's death1 and then applied herself to the task of finishing her lodge4 ,her bereaved condition might have excited the pity of her companion2 but there was no sympathy in that breast4 ,for a time1 ,white ,moon would not reply to her taunts4 ,this the more enraged the other1 who at length charged the heart-broken mother with the murder of her child6 ,white ,moon heard her in stupified horror and amazement4 ,that a mother could destroy her infant1--no such sentiment could reach her understanding or her heart4 ,yet again and again did her sister repeat the charge1 dwelling upon the impossibility of the child's dying without a cause4 ,no one1 she said1 had been with the infant during her absence2 the young girl1 who had promised to take care of it1 having gone off soon after ,white ,moon left4 ,she then insisted1 that as ,white ,moon had been forced to marry her brother1 she had thus resented upon him her wrong4 ,she had killed his child1 forgetting it was her own4 ,the despairing woman was roused by a sense of the injustice done her4 ,she saw1 too1 her position1--the danger in which she stood4 ,she felt1 in anticipation1 the reproaches1 the hot anger of her husband4 ,she was roused even to madness4 ,her many wrongs stood up in witness against the woman who1 in her deep sorrow1 thus goaded her4 ,her slight frame expanded2 the gentle and obedient wife1 the submissive woman1 had become a murderer2 her knife lay in the heart of her husband's sister1--the strong had bowed before the weak6 ,the act was so instantaneous1 that ,white ,moon stood alone to behold the consequences of her passion4 ,it was during the hottest part of the day1 and their lodge stood apart from the rest4 ,most of the men were on the hunt with ,fiery ,man2 the women1 some sleeping away the sultry hours1 others off at their different employments4 ,the hoarse groans of the dying woman were not heard outside the lodge1 so that ,white ,moon was not detected4 ,on one of the mats lay the embroidered dress of a young warrior that ,fiery ,man's sister had just finished4 ,she immediately determined upon making her escape1 and taking these clothes with her as a disguise4 ,she made them into a bundle before the eyes of the dying woman1 and resolved upon flying from her husband's resentment4 ,how often she had called for death1 yet how closely she now clung to life4 ,the violent excitement through which she had passed had brought again the colour to her cheek4 ,brightness had succeeded to the expression of languor in her eyes4 ,there was no tie to keep her in her husband's home4 ,she now only thought of him as the avenger of his sister's blood4 ,she left the lodge without even a glance towards the cause of her misery and her sin4 ,she turned from the places which would now know her no more4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,fiery ,man and the large party of hunters came in sight of their home on the evening of the same day4 ,they had brought a large number of buffalo1 and were glad to reach the vicinity of their village1 where their wives and other women came forward to relieve them of their burden4 ,merry work it was to them on this occasion1 until they learned some of the hunters were missing4 ,fiery ,man looked to see his wife and child among them1 and was disappointed and irritated at not seeing them2 but he remembered ,white ,moon was always backward in joining these noisy parties1 and thus he accounted for her absence4 ,his tall figure was slightly clad1 for the weather was warm--in his right hand he held a spear1 and on its top was a scalp recently taken4 ,he strode on without waiting to explain the occasion of this1 only thinking of his wife and son4 ,he did not miss his sister1 though he might well have done so1 for she was always ready with her strong arm to assist the hunters1 and her loud voice to give directions to the women4 ,there was a great deal of confusion as they entered the village1 for the absence of the three hunters had been accounted for1 though not by ,fiery ,man1 who had passed forward towards his lodge4 ,the hunters1 enthusiastic with their success1 7for the number of buffalo they had killed was unusually great17 were surprised by a party of ,iroquois1 and in the sudden terror three of the ,sioux1 who had laid down their arms1 intending to sleep1 were killed and scalped4 ,these ,iroquois had come from a great distance2 their villages were in the western part of ,new ,york4 ,they were then in the height of their power1 and constantly performed exploits that astonished other ,indian nations4 ,but that a small party should have travelled four hundred leagues1 living by chance1 surrounded by their enemies2 that they should venture among so powerful a people with such an object1 is indeed remarkable2 that they should have been successful1 is still more so4 ,they lost one of their party4 ,fiery ,man pursued them1 with some others1 as they endeavoured to make their escape1 and killed one1 whose scalp adorned his spear4 ,the lamentations of the families whose relatives had been killed1 their affectionate but melancholy reception of their dead bodies--for they had been wrapped in skins and brought home--the loud talking of those engaged in caring for the immense quantities of buffalo-meat and the valuable skins1--all these were unnoticed and indeed unheard by ,fiery ,man4 ,even his stout heart quailed before the silent and gloomy appearance of his lodge4 ,there was not even an evidence of habitation4 ,the lodge on which ,white ,moon had been engaged lay heaped up near it2 but there was no one there to welcome him4 ,he threw up the door and looked in2 then started almost affrighted at what he saw4 ,his sister lay dead--and the only creature near her was the small dog that had been always by her side during life4 ,he could not mistake the horrible symptoms1--the fallen jaw1 the dark-looking blood1 the face calm and composed in its expression1 as it never had been in life4 ,he turned again from the lodge to seek his wife and child1--the former with her timid and almost fearful salutation1 the latter with his merry infant laugh1 as he reached forth his hands to be taken close to his father's heart4 ,he looked around among the groups talking here and there4 ,they were gazing at him1 with doubt and consternation in every countenance2 for who would dare tell him of all8--who would expose himself to the violence of his wrath8--who but feared to see that iron frame bowed with the tale of horror he must hear8 ,he hastened towards them1 and shook ,harpstinah roughly by the arm4 ,where is my wife8--my child8 ,speak6 he said1 as the woman1 in her fright1 seemed to have lost the power of speech4 ,an old man1 who had not accompanied the hunting party1 on account of his age1 came forward4 ,there is your son1 he said1 pointing to the burial-ground4 ,your wife left him asleep1 and your sister-- ,harpstinah1 having recovered herself1 interrupted him3 he had but a confused notion of the state of things4 ,she told ,fiery ,man all the circumstances1 even to her going to the lodge1 drawn thither by the continual crying of the dog1 and finding his sister there in her death-pangs4 ,she had tried to make ,harpstinah comprehend a message to her brother1 but had expired with the effort4 ,previous to that she had told several persons that ,white ,moon had killed her child1 but no one believed it4 ,the affectionate care of the mother was too well known2 besides1 the girl who had been left in charge of her1 said the infant had awakened a short time after ,white ,moon had left1 and had then fallen asleep again4 ,white ,moon had been seen as she hurried from the village1 but no one had seen her return4 ,harpstinah had heard angry words passing between them1 but did not know that anything more serious had occurred1 until some time after1 when she entered the lodge1 as she had before described4 ,all presumed it must have been the act of ,white ,moon1 as she had expressed previously her intention of remaining at home1 in order to finish her lodge4 ,this was the substance of the intelligence1 to which ,fiery ,man listened with an ashy countenance and a trembling frame4 ,his wife1 whom he had so loved--his boy1 the noble1 healthy child1 whose growth he had watched day by day6 ,as he bent forward to listen1 large tears rested on his cheek4 ,the women moved off affrighted at the spectacle1 that tears1 such as women shed1 should be seen there4 ,there was one who still remained beside him4 ,fiery ,man had not heard the charge brought against his wife of the murder of her child4 ,so stricken was he1 that he only heard and felt that they were gone4 ,the ,fawn still remained beside him3 she had loved ,fiery ,man1 and had hoped to be his wife4 ,she waited to speak when he should arouse from the first stupor of his grief4 ,he turned to go1 he knew not where2 he heard his name called1 and saw the ,fawn beside him4 ,your sister said that ,white ,moon had never loved you1 and was now revenged2 that you had torn her from all she had loved2 that even her old mother had wept1 and asked you to leave her with her1 but in vain2 and it was for this ,white ,moon had killed your child1 that you might have sorrow too4 ,then came back the colour to the bronzed cheek of ,fiery ,man1 and the flashing to his eye4 ,then did he stand erect1 like one that had never known grief--then did love change to bitter hatred4 ,the wife of his bosom was his worst enemy4 ,there were no more tears1 but loud threats of vengeance--no trembling1 but firm purposes of revenge4 ,he went again to the lodge1 to look at his sister's body4 ,he left her1 and stood by the grave of his child4 ,he laid his hand upon the little body1 and stood thus while he decided what to do4 ,he shouted for the young men1 and told them to go and hunt for his wife1 and bring her back to him4 ,it was fearful to see the paroxysms of his hot anger4 ,he lay down on the grass near his child2 he rested1 but not with sleep4 ,he sought his wife through the night1 but in vain4 ,he went into the thick forests2 he remembered ,chat-o-tee-dah1 the god of the woods1 was his friend2 he prayed to the god2 he sacrificed to the wakeen-stone2 but still he was unsuccessful4 ,he knew neither sleep nor rest until the evening of the next day1 when he was forced to yield to his overtaxed condition4 ,there did he stand1 by the ,laughing ,waters1 where she had stood4 ,the ,white ,moon was making her way1 slowly and sadly1 but clinging to life--full of grief1 but fearing the avenger--living on the berries of the woods1 and sleeping where the red deer and its young lie down to rest4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,a short time after the events we have noticed1 a young and slight-looking ,sioux warrior entered one of the villages of that nation4 ,he was a stranger and alone4 ,this was enough to insure him a hospitable reception4 ,on approaching the lodges which were nearest him1 he seemed to hesitate as to what course he should pursue as regards making himself known4 ,in the mean time his appearance had attracted a good deal of attention4 ,his limbs were slight but well formed1 his figure denoting agility rather than strength4 ,his dress was new and handsomely ornamented2 his leggins were of very fine deer-skin1 dressed so as to be white and soft1 and these1 as well as his coat1 were richly embroidered with porcupine quills4 ,he had no blanket1 nor were there any war-eagle feathers in his head2 his pipe1 made of an earthen material1 was large and heavy4 ,he was without arms of any kind3 this was the most remarkable feature in his appearance4 ,he was pale1 as if he had been ill1 and there was at times an expression of wildness1 almost amounting to ferocity1 in his appearance4 ,he advanced towards a lodge outside of which stood the family2 they spoke to him at once1 telling him to sit down and rest himself4 ,one of the women seeing his mocassin was torn1 untied it1 saying she would mend it4 ,before asking him his name or errand1 they insisted upon his eating1 knowing from his features and dress he was a ,sioux4 ,his feet they found blistered and inflamed4 ,the women of the lodge got some herbs1 laid them in cold water1 and applied them to the inflamed parts4 ,they gave him wild rice1 in an earthen bowl of a kind manufactured by themselves1 the art being now lost4 ,they were then destitute of metallic vessels of any kind4 ,the young warrior1 after he had eaten1 proceeded to give an account of himself4 ,he said he had come a great distance in search of an uncle who had suddenly disappeared from among them4 ,he was a very important man among them1 famous for his wisdom1 and for knowing all the history of their people1 the ,mendewakantonwau ,dacotas4 ,he could always tell them the year when buffalo would be the most plentiful2 he could direct them to the very spot where the largest herds could be found4 ,his people1 he said1 lived on the banks of the ,minesota2 the mouth of this river1 his uncle said1 lay immediately over the centre of the earth1 and under the centre of the heavens3 the ,great ,spirit had ordered this1 that they might know they were his favourite people1 superior to all other nations4 ,all these things his uncle had learned in dreams2 and often he spoke of them to the young people1 that they might be proud of their country1 and might remember who was their ,great ,father and friend4 ,on one occasion he had assembled the young people1 and told them of the bloody battles they had fought with the ,sacs and ,foxes and other nations4 ,some of the ,dacota bands had been destroyed by them1 but they had been saved because they were under the centre of the heavens1 and the eye of the ,great ,spirit was always upon them4 ,they knew more too than the other bands1 and were in consequence much better off4 ,on that occasion he had talked nearly all night1 and after that they all retired to rest4 ,on awaking1 the old warrior had disappeared1 and since then had never been seen4 ,whether ,unk-ta-he had drawn him into the deep1 or ,chat-o-tee-dah1 the god of the woods1 had drawn him under the earth1 or the ,great ,spirit had taken him1 no one knew4 ,he was no more among them4 ,the young man went on to say he had had a dream1 in which he was told to array himself in new clothing1 and to go in search of his uncle4 ,he was forbidden to take arms or provisions of any kind2 and in a short time he would have an interview with his uncle4 ,this he had done in spite of the objections of his friends1 who urged him at least to take his bow and arrows1 but he had refused to do so1 preferring to follow implicitly the directions he had received in his dream4 ,he had been in the woods a long time1 and was almost despairing1 when one night he fell into a deep sleep1 and his uncle stood before him2 not old and wrinkled and time-worn1 as he remembered him1 but erect and firm4 ,his voice was strong too1 and he could have been heard a long way off1 he spoke so loud and distinctly4 ,he said that the ,sioux need not any more look for his return1 for that in the far-off country where he lived1 he had none of those weaknesses and pains to contend with1 which are constantly among the aged on earth3 he had wanted to try the bravery of his young nephew1 to see whether or not he would have courage to do as he was told4 ,he was glad he had done so1 for now he would be a favourite of the gods1 who delighted in courageous acts4 ,he directed him as to what route he should take1 telling him of everything that would happen to him on his way to the village1 and charged him to say to them1 that he should be furnished with a lance1 bow1 and arrows1 and also have given to him a comrade1 and be allowed to stay in the band4 ,the ,indians were overcome with admiration at the courage shown in these adventures1 and they immediately presented him with the arms he required1 and in every other way gratified his wishes4 ,he accepted these things proudly1 as a right1 rather than a favour2 this bearing made him still more popular with his new friends4 ,one of them came forward and told him he should have his oldest daughter--pointing to the well-pleased maiden--for a wife3 the stranger said he had promised his uncle he would not marry until he had killed three ,winnebagoes1 and wore the feathers of honour he had thus earned4 ,he continued to grow in their favour1 and was preparing to accompany some of their braves on a war-party1 when1 one morning1 a party of ,sioux approached the village4 ,one of the men was much taller and larger than all the rest1 his eagle feathers towering above their heads4 ,the hospitable people pressed forward to welcome them3 and when they were rested1 and had eaten and smoked1 the chief missed their stranger friend4 ,he was not to be seen2 when they found he did not return to them1 they told his strange story to ,fiery ,man and his band4 ,the wretched man knew it was his wife who had thus baffled him4 ,he went on his way1 but some evil spirit stood between him and the accomplishment of his purpose4 ,she was not to be given to his vengeance or his love4 ,there was happiness yet in store for ,white ,moon4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,chat-o-tee-dah1 the god of the woods and forests1 holds a high rank among the ,sioux2 by some he is considered even greater than the ,thunder-,bird4 ,were it not for the great number of ,thunder-,birds1 that race would long since have been extinct2 so many battles have they had1 and so powerful is the god whose home is in the dark woods1 whose guardians and servants are every bird that rests itself in the branches of the trees1 whose notes welcome the coming of the day4 ,chat-o-tee-dah passes by the shrubbery of the lowlands1 and makes his home on the largest tree on the highest eminence of the forest2 his dwelling is in the root of the tree4 ,he is not confined to this part of it1 but comes out when occasion may require4 ,is he hungry8 he takes his seat upon the branch of the tree1 and1 by his power of attraction1 he is soon surrounded by the winged messengers of the forest1 ready to do his bidding4 ,while he is thus holding his court1 the limb of the tree on which he is seated becomes smooth as glass4 ,chat-o-tee-dah and the ,thunder-,bird1 as ,i have said1 are enemies3 and many hard battles have been fought between them1 the god of the woods being generally the victor4 ,this is to be ascribed1 in a great measure1 to the attachment and vigilance of his body-guard1 the birds of the forest4 ,at the slightest commotion in the heavens1 whose stormy portents indicate the coming of the ,thunder-,bird1 ,chat-o-tee-dah is roused from his sleep1 or whatever occupation may engage him at the time1 by his servants2 he has thus ample time to make his arrangements4 ,while the clouds roll swiftly and angrily towards the habitation of the water god1 and streaked lightning plays in vivid flashes on the earth1 ,chat-o-tee-dah is coolly making his preparations for the work of death1 assured1 by his very calmness1 of victory4 ,the little birds1 hid in the dark branches of the trees1 are faithful sentinels1 momentarily making their report1 while the god of the woods keeps safely hid in the root of the tree1 his stronghold in time of danger4 ,the ,thunder-,bird resorts to cunning4 ,he takes the form of a large bird1 but his disguise is always penetrated by the smallest forest-bird2 they know him1 and1 like faithful servants1 keep near their lord4 ,again and again the thunder rolls1 and the lightning plays about the branches of the tree4 ,the waters swell and rise up to anger the ,thunder-,bird1 and to tempt him to do battle1 but he has too many quarrels to resent against the forest gods1 and the day of his vengeance is come4 ,it is not often that he has courage to tempt the forest god to battle1 for he knows his power2 but now he will show him his own strength1 when he is roused4 ,there is a stillness of the elements1 and now again the deafening sound is heard1 and the lightning pierces the home of the forest god2 but ,chat-o-tee-dah is safe1 for there is a communication with the roots of the tree and the waters1 and he passes through it safely1 hearing the while the noise of the elements1 while he descends to the great waters below4 ,again the earth shakes1 for the ,thunder-,bird has cast forth his lightning1 and pierced the root of the tree2 but he is again defeated by the cunning of the god1 who has found a refuge in the dominions of ,unk-ta-he4 ,but at last the forest god is angry1 and he has determined to come forth from his watery retreat1 and beard the ,thunder-,bird with his own weapons4 ,he hurls back at him the lightning2--in an instant the daring invader is dead at his feet4 ,the battles of their gods are unending themes of adventure among the ,sioux4 ,conversing upon them1 the hours are whiled away from evening until midnight1 and often from midnight to morn4 ,the intellect must have occupation4 ,how many a noble mind has thus gone to waste6 ,we may judge1 from the importance attached to these fanciful stories1 how hard must be the work of the ,indian missionary4 ,what a system of error to uproot6 ,we may also look into our own hearts3--which is the greater absurdity1 the worship of ,chat-o-tee-dah or mammon8--the bowing down to the glorious works of the hand of ,god1 or devotions paid to the gilded idol of this world8 ,fiery ,man no more boasted of his intercourse with the gods2 they seemed to have forgotten they were his friends4 ,he had sought far and near for his wife4 ,at times his heart was full of revenge3 that she should have destroyed his son was the bitterest reflection of all4 ,his sister's blood seemed still to be flowing before him2 vengeance was called for on her who had made his lodge dark for ever4 ,then a different mood would affect him4 ,she would stand before him1 obedient1 docile1 and timid1 with her soft1 fearful voice1 so different from the loud tones of his sister's4 ,he could remember her so distinctly1 as she held up her child for him to see1 as he left the lodge to go with the hunting party4 ,her long1 braided hair1 falling about her shoulders1 as her infant's cheek lay pressed against hers4 ,for the first time he thought she looked sad at parting with him1 and he had treasured the thought4 ,he knew then she never raised her hand against her child4 ,he would have crushed his evil-minded sister for the suggestion1 had she stood before him in life4 ,he would sit buried in thought1 the storms of passion breaking away from his heart2 but this did not last1 and woe to the man who came before him in his fierce mood4 ,he died in battle2 but the ,indians said he gave his life away1 for he met his enemy as if he were in a dream1 and shouted no cry as he was wont4 ,they brought his body back and buried it by the side of his son3 and even death did not break the spell of awe connected with him1 for the women were afraid to sit and plait grass near his grave4 ,harpstinah moved her lodge from where it stood1 saying1 she must live farther off from the graves1 that she might not hear ,fiery ,man in the night calling for vengeance on his wife1 who had deserted him1 and murdered his child4 ,no one could tell the fate of ,white ,moon4 ,her parents died soon after her disappearance4 ,but the ,black ,eagle1 who some years after visited the ,sioux who live among the thousand isles at the head of ,rum ,river1 said1 that when he arrived there1 ,white ,moon's old lover took him to his lodge1 and that his wife helped him off with his snow-shoes1 and made him broth1 for he was nearly perished with cold and hunger1 having been at one time covered with snow for several days and nights1 as his only chance of life4 ,when he told them he had come for some of the stone that lay on the shores of that river1 to make knives1 the war-chief asked him what band he belonged to1 and that while he was answering1 the woman ceased her employment1 listening intently to him4 ,that the war-chief asked him what had become of that tall chief called the ,fiery ,man2 and that while he was telling of his death1 and of his strange condition before it1 the woman laughed1 and said that after all ,chat-o-tee-dah had not been as true a friend as the warrior thought1 for a weak woman had escaped from his fiercest anger2 and that when he asked her if she had ever known ,fiery ,man1 her husband was angry1 and told her to hush1 saying1 women always talked too much1 and that it was time she had done his leggins1 which he wanted to wear in the morning1 when he met the wise men of their band in council2 that when she returned to her work1 as she was told1 that he was reminded of the quiet obedience with which ,white ,moon ever listened to the commands of her husband1 that tall warrior1 ,fiery ,man1 who had gone to that country where thousands of warriors assemble and shout through the heavens their song1 as they celebrate the medicine feast4 ,footnote #bf3 ,the story of ,wenona is given in ,dacota1 or ,legends of the ,sioux1 in almost the words of the ,sioux themselves4 ,it has been often told by travellers1 and there is no doubt but it actually occurred4 ,n4 ,b4 ,this tradition1 as given in a letter from ,miss ,bremer to myself1 during her visit to the ,falls of ,st4 ,anthony1 will be found at the end of this story4--,j4 ,s4 ,h4 ,,note4 ,a ,,tradition ,,of ,,the ,,falls ,,of ,,st4 ,,anthony4--,there is a little island1 just below the ,falls1 surrounded by their spray1 with picturesque rocks and dark cedars1 looking lonely and romantic1 more attractive than the ,falls1 through its peculiar looks1 and its story1 connected with the ,falls and with the people which still hovers around them1 on the territory of ,minesota1 raising tents of one night soon to depart1 kindling fires soon to be quenched4 ,it is called the ,spirit ,island1 and its tale is that of many an ,indian woman1--is in fact the poetic truth of woman's fate among the red men4 ,it tells3 ,there was once a hunter of the tribe of the ,dacotas 7or ,sioux7 living near the ,falls of ,st4 ,anthony4 ,he had but one wife1 and loved her and was loved by her so well1 that the union and the happiness of the hunter and his wife1 ,ampota ,sampa1 was talked of among the tribe as wonderful4 ,they had two children1 and lived lonely and happy for several years4 ,but as he became known as a great hunter1 and grew rich1 several families came and raised their tipis 7lodges7 near that of the happy pair4 ,and words and whispers came to the young man that he ought to have more wives1 so that he might enjoy more happiness4 ,he listened to the tempters1 and soon made a choice among the daughters of his new friends4 ,but when he had to tell his first wife thereof1 his heart smote him1 and1 to make the news less painful to her1 he began by telling her that he had bethought himself that she had too many household cares1 and that she wanted somebody to help her in them1 and so he would bring her that help in the form of a young girl1 who was to be his second wife4 ,ampota ,sampa answered ,no6 ,she had not too many cares4 ,she was happy to have them for him and his children4 ,she prayed and besought him1 by their former love and happy life1 by every tender tie1 by the love of their little ones1 not to bring a new love1 a new wife1 to the lodge4 ,he said nothing4 ,but this same night he brought home to the lodge his new wife4 ,early next morning a death-song was heard on the waters of the ,mississippi1 and a canoe was seen gliding swiftly down the rapids1 above the ,falls of ,st4 ,anthony1 and in the canoe was sitting a young woman with two little children folded to her bosom4 ,it was ,ampota ,sampa2 and in her song she told the cause of her despair1 of her death1 of her departure for the spirit-land4 ,so she sat1 singing her death-song1 swiftly borne onward by the rapids to the edge of the rocks4 ,her husband1 her friends1 heard her and saw her1 but too late4 ,in a few moments the canoe was at the top of the ,falls2 there it paused a second1 and then1 borne on by the rush of the waters1 down it dashed1 and the roaring waves covered the victims with their white foam4 ,their bodies were never seen again2 but tradition says that on misty mornings1 the spirit of the ,indian wife1 with the children folded to her bosom1 is seen gliding in the canoe through the rising spray about the ,spirit ,island1 and that the sound of her death-song is heard moaning in the wind and in the roar of the ,falls of ,st4 ,anthony4 ,such is the legend of the ,indian wife4--,,fredrika ,,bremer4 ,,the ,,rain-,,drop4 ,,by ,,miss ,e4 ,w4 ,,barnes4 ,it quivered on a bended spray-- ,a rain-drop1 bright and clear-- ,though beautiful1 it waked sad thoughts1 ',twas so like sorrow's tear4 ,and on its crystal surface lay ,reflected1 calm as heaven1 ,the glories of the summer sky1 ,with purple tints of even2 ,and earth's transcendent loveliness ,was also on its breast1 ,as with her dewy smiles she made ,the parting sunbeam blest4 ,i loved the rain-drop1 as it hung ,so trustingly the while-- ,the verdant earth1 the glowing heaven ,reflected in its smile4 ,a symbol seemed it to mine eye ,of the loving human heart1 ,that lives but in the smile of ,god1 ,which earth and heaven impart4 ,i gazed into its tiny sphere-- ,in miniature it lay1 ,a world of beauty1 trembling there1 ,and soon to pass away-- ,to pass from earth1 and leave no trace1 ,but the memory divine ,of beauty1 which1 within the heart1 ,erects its own pure shrine4 ,the breeze passed by2 it swayed the bough ,where the sweet gem was hung2 ,but1 with tenacious grasp1 it still ,fondly and closely clung4 ,nor1 till with a resistless power ,the mighty wind swept by1 ,did the frail thing1 so beautiful1 ,in shattered fragments lie4 ,and thus1 though moved by every breeze ,that sweeps along our way1 ,our hearts still cling to life1 and still ,the world asserts its sway4 ,but1 like the rain-drop1 pure and clear1 ,that hangs upon the bough1 ,oh6 soul of mine1 give back earth's light1 ,reflect its glories1 thou6 ,give back the summer's rosy tints1 ,the verdant tree1 the flower2 ,give back the mountain and the mead1 ,the summer sun and shower4 ,but ah6 in thy far deeper depths ,may heaven reflected lie2 ,its holy calm--its voiceless wave1 ,serene as yon soft sky4 ,unruffled be those silent depths-- ,calm1 though the tempest lower4 ,my ,saviour6 walk thou on the wave1 ,and let it feel thy power4 ,speak to the troubled waters1 ,peace1 ,and passion ne'er shall rise1 ,nor doubt1 nor care1 to dim the light ,that greets me from the skies4 ,a ,,plea ,,for ,a ,,choice ,,picture4 ,,to ,a ,,gentleman ,,who ,,undervalued ,,it4 ,,by ,,miss ,l4 ,s4 ,,hall4 ,nay1 do not say my favourite is tame-- ,her soul lies dreaming in its tranquil depths1 ,and 'tis not every passive breeze can wake ,the slumberer from her peaceful reverie4 ,the sheltering wings of ,faith1 and ,hope1 and ,love ,are folded round the temple of her heart1 ,perpetual guardians of its altar place2 ,and they1 of wingd feet1 who go and come1 ,must pass beneath their penetrating gaze2 ,unhallowed sentiments may enter not1-- ,where these stand sentinels1 'tis hallowed ground4 ,speak but a thrilling word1 and you shall meet ,in those so dreamy eyes1 that heed you not1 ,the shadow of your own ecstatic thoughts1-- ,those lips1 so passive now1 shall echo back ,the earnest tones of your own eloquence4 ,but do not measure her internal strength ,by any standard of man's magnitude4 ,nor think to fathom what no eye can reach1-- ,she hath a woman's heart1 and it hath been ,the constant struggle of her watchful life1 ,to curb her will1 and bend her energies1 ,and train her nature for her destiny2 ,and conscious that she hath a marshalled host1 ,obedient to the mandates of her soul1 ,she wears a placid brow1 and dreads no foe4 ,a thoughtless word upon affection's tongue1 ,a look of coldness from a cherished friend1 ,a hardened thought1 that wrongs her of her due1 ,and makes her seem what she would scorn to be1 ,imputing motives she would blush to own1-- ,her spirit1 safe from storms and rude alarms1 ,is too susceptible to wounds like these2 ,but that calm face will ne'er reveal to thee1 ,nay1 from her dearest friends she'll most conceal1 ,the bitter anguish they can measure not4 ,then do not say her tranquil brow is tame4 ,a passive soul hath ne'er the dignity ,that sits1 a queen1 upon her passive face2 ',tis nobler far to rule the spirit realm1 ,than gather laurels from the battle-field4 ,,lost ,,and ,,won4 ,,by ,,caroline ,,eustis4 ,lost the freshness of life's morning2 ,lost the tints of rosy light1 ,which like daylight1 perfect dawning1 ,covered all with glory bright2 ,lost the golden locks which shaded ,brow so smooth1 and eyes so blue1 ,and the happy smile has faded ,round those lips of rosy hue4 ,i have lost1--but ,i have won4 ,lost the kind oblivious sleeping1 ,which enshrouds the little child1 ,like the holy angels keeping ,saintly watches1--calm and mild4 ,lost the dreams of sunny hours1 ,where no terror dare intrude2 ,lost the dreams of love and flowers1 ,of the beautiful and good4 ,i have lost1--but ,i have won4 ,lost6--oh1 most of all the losses6-- ,lost the childlike1 earnest faith1 ,loving on mid joys and crosses1 ,thankful still for all it hath4 ,i have lost youth's simple pleasures1 ,each departed1 one by one2 ,but--oh1 blessing without measure6-- ,i have lost1--but ,i have won4 ,i have won1 through earnest striving1 ,guerdons above all the loss1 ,hopes once faded1 now reviving ,twining round the sacred ,cross3 ,sorrow pale hath been my teacher2 ,hopes bereft1 my gentle friends2 ,graves of the loved1 my silent preacher1 ,where dust with dust so sadly blends4 ,i have lost1--but ,i have won4 ,i have won1 through tribulation1 ,title to a heavenly home1 ,working out my own salvation ,through the blood of ,christ alone4 ,oh1 my future brightest seemeth1 ,eye of faith1 exchanged for sight1 ,with celestial splendour beameth ,on through darkness into light4 ,i have lost1--but ,i have won4 ,i have won bright hopes immortal ,of a heaven of peace and rest2 ,e'en now ,i linger at the portal1 ,as a kindly bidden guest4 ,lost and won6--oh earth6 oh heaven6 ,hark6--,i list the angels' strain1 ,voices in the silence even6 ,small the loss1 and great the gain6 ,i have lost1--but ,i have won4 ,,the ,,mistrusted ,,guide4 ,a ,,western ,,sketch4 ,,by ,a ,,missionary4 ,it was the close of a cloudy afternoon1 about sunset1 in ,february1 #ahah1 and ,i began to think it high time to seek a lodging-place4 ,the prairie--the first ,i had seen1 unless it might have been a patch of a few acres1 the day before--was covered with snow2 and1 although a good many bushes grew on it1 and it was somewhat rolling--,i hope my readers know what that is--,i confess its aspect was to me1 just then1 more dreary than picturesque4 ,our road is best described by the term which designated it1 ,the old ,rocky ,trace1 by which may be understood the blazed road usually travelled from ,shawneetown to ,kaskaskia4 ,the dwellings were not very numerous--indeed1 we had the privilege of considerable exercise in passing from one to another4 ,now and then a block-house1 in good condition1 showed the rather recent ,indian troubles1 which had frequently compelled the inhabitants to fort4 ,the sight of a cabin1 after a while1 was quite cheering4 ,my wife was somewhat tired of carrying the babe all day1 and was glad to see a prospect of rest and shelter4 ,we drove up1 and inquired1 as usual1 if we could get to stay1 not doubting an affirmative answer4 ,and so we had2 yet there was difficulty in the case4 ,i'm afeard1 stranger1 you'll have to go furder4 ,our childer's got the hoopin'-cough1 and maybe you moughtn't like yourn to go whar it mought git it--'less it's had it4 ,you may stop1 ef you're a mind to resk it1 for ,i don't never turn anybody away2 but ,i didn't like to let you carry your baby in without lettin' you know4 ,here was a difficulty4 ,we had had the child vaccinated at ,pittsburg1 on our way1 but had used no precautionary measure against hooping-cough1 and in the dead of winter there was some hazard in it4 ,i looked at my wife3 she looked troubled4 ,our friend--for he was friendly--told us there was a house on the ,turkey ,hill ,road1 a mile or two ahead2 but it was a smart little bit on the ,rocky ,trace1 afore we'd git any place to stop4 ,the roads forked just where we stood1 and we might choose either1 to go to ,st4 ,louis2 but some circumstance made it necessary for me to go through ,kaskaskia4 ,what shall we do1 wife8 ,i really don't know what to advise4 ,i am afraid to expose ,amy to the hooping-cough1 and ,i am afraid to go on far4 ,it will soon be dark4 ,i was irresolute and anxious4 ,we would have timber1 and probably a stream to cross2 and1 with my little dearborn1 it might be somewhat hazardous in the dark4 ,the man sympathized with us--told us we were welcome to stay1 ef we'd a mind to resk it2 but then1 if we did stay1 we would have to be huddled in the same room with the family1 and ,i don't know how many of the childer had the dreaded disease4 ,all this while my wife was sitting in the wagon1 and1 if not freezing1 was sufficiently cold to wish for a good fire4 ,we had hardly observed another man standing near1 with whom the man of the house had been talking4 ,he listened in silence for a considerable time1 but at length spoke4 ,ef you'll put up with sech as ,i have--it's tol'able poor--you can go to my house and stay4 ,i looked now at the speaker1 and discovered an elderly man1 in a mixed jeans hunting-shirt--it was not the fashion to call it a blouse then--tied round the waist1 a 'coon-skin cap1 and trousers accordin'4 ,he had a rifle1 or an axe--though ,i think it was the latter--lying across his arm1 and looked wrinkled1 and rough1 and all drawn up with the cold4 ,the twinkle of his deep-set eyes might be merry1 or it might be sinister4 ,i inquired where he lived4 ,why1 it's rayther on the ,turkey ,hill ,road1 and about a mile from t'other2 but ,i can go in the mornin' and show you the way4 ,it's mighty easy gittin' over from thar to yon road4 ,it occurred to me that his neighbour had not once referred to him to solve the difficulty1 and ,i wondered why2 but he now rather intimated that ,i might as well take up with the old man's offer4 ,i did so1 without consulting my wife's opinion4 ,he trudged on1 and ,i trudged after him1 leading my horse1--which ,i did much of the way across the ,state1--through the snow4 ,after a little while ,i discovered that we left the road1 and were winding through a sort of ravine1 or rather depression of the prairie1 almost deserving the name of valley4 ,the snow-covered ground--the brown1 or bare bushes--the bleak1 though diminutive hills--all looked cold1 and wild1 and dreary4 ,my guide still trudged on1 seldom looking round2 and we seemed to be travelling without a road to nowhere4 ,my wife called me to her4 ,her looks gave token of alarm4 ,do you think it safe to go on with that old man8 ,i don't like his looks1 and this is a wild place4 ,hadn't we better go back1 or try some other way8 ,i feel afraid4 ,i laughed at her1 but her fears troubled me4 ,she was not given to false alarms2 or1 if she ever felt them1 she never annoyed me with them4 ,i cannot say that ,i participated in her fears now4 ,indeed ,i did not4 ,the old man looked anything but terrible4 ,i thought his countenance mild rather than austere4 ,still1 these backwoodsmen were famous for a quiet ferociousness that could do a brave or terrible deed without the least fuss4 ,i did not know what to think4 ,but what to do seemed to admit of but one answer--,i must go on with him1 and trust ,providence1 who had brought us safely some fifteen hundred miles4 ,my wife shuddered1 perhaps trembled1 and hugged the child closer2 but she submitted quietly--,i may say trustfully4 ,she certainly gave him no hint of her fears4 ,at length--for the time did not seem very short to me1 and doubtless stretched out much longer to my wife--but at length1 after a long and very gradual slope down a hollow1 such as ,i have failed to describe1 we saw the habitation of our guide4 ,it was a cabin of the rudest sort and smallest size1 in what had perhaps in crap time been an enclosure on the ascent of a slope beyond a little wet weather brook4 ,i took notice--for it was an interesting fact to me--that for the accommodation of my horse there was a rail-pen1 though1 whether it was covered with straw1 or shucks1 or prairie hay1 or the cloudy sky1 ,i do not now remember2 for ,i have seen more such many a time since then2 but there was cawn in another rail-pen close by4 ,so my horse was supplied4 ,but my wife and child must be got into the house first2 and in we went4 ,reader1 in that little dearborn-wagon was all ,i had in this world1 or of it2 and though1 to say the truth1 all1 except the wife and child1 might have been well sold for a very few hundred dollars--and probably that is an enormous over-estimate--yet it was precious to me1 for much of their comfort depended on its preservation4 ,and a few hundred dollars--nay1 a few dollars--would make quite an addition to the comforts of the habitation we entered1 and of those who dwelt in it4 ,there was neither table nor chair4 ,the puncheon floor was not air-tight nor a dead level4 ,the stick chimney and hearth were covered with clay2 but there was a fire in it4 ,the bed--but we have not got to the bed yet4 ,i suppose it happened very well that we had our provisions with us1 for ,i saw no cooking nor anything to cook4 ,i forgot to say1 that the inmates when we arrived were a boy1 dressed something like his father1 and a girl1 whose single garment--we judged from appearances--was a home-spun cotton frock1 not white1 though ,i think it had never been dyed4 ,both were barefoot4 ,they might be twelve and fourteen years old4 ,whar's yer mammy8 ,mom's went over to ,jake ,smith's2 and she haint never come home yit4 ,i reckon she's agwine to stay all night4 ,i don't know what made me think so1 but ,i remember ,i did rather surmise that it was just as well for us4 ,something made me think of a shrew4 ,presently1 while my wife was spreading the table 7i4e4 a short bench1 usually a seat7 for our supper1 ,i observed the old man seated on something1 with a plate on his knees1 plying his hunting-knife on some cold meat and corn bread for his4 ,i suppose the children had eaten before our arrival4 ,we had1 ,i believe1 our provision-box and an inverted half bushel for seats1 and ate our supper with commendable appetites2 for by this time ,i think my wife's fears were sensibly abated4 ,at length bedtime came1 and what should be done8 ,there was a bed1 or something like one1 in a corner1 but that would hardly accommodate all five of us and the baby4 ,soon1 however1 that doubt was solved4 ,the girl spread a pallet on the floor1 taking the straw bed for the purpose2 and the feather bed--yes1 feather bed--was made up on the bedstead for us4 ,that bedstead would be a curious affair1 doubtless1 in a ,philadelphia furniture store4 ,i will endeavour to describe it4 ,it consisted of one post and three rails2 or rather1 what was intended to correspond with those parts of a bedstead4 ,the post aforesaid was a round pole1 with the bark on1 reaching from the floor to the joist or rafter1 inserted at top and bottom into auger-holes4 ,at a convenient height1 a branch cut off not quite close on each of two sides1 formed a rest for two of the poles that served for a side and foot rail1 the other end being inserted in auger-holes in the logs which constituted the wall of the house4 ,one end of the other side-rail rested on the foot-rail4 ,across the two longest poles1 or side-rails1 split clapboards rested2 and on the scaffold thus formed1 the bed was made4 ,i remember that it was comparatively clean2 and the bedstead being quite elastic1 and my wife's fears now entirely removed by the cheerful consent of our host to unite in family devotion1 we slept well and soundly3 while the family reposed no doubt quite as sweetly on their bed on the floor4 ,after we had breakfasted1 our host1 for whom we saw no more preparation than on the night before1 piloted us through a grove of tall trees to the ,kaskaskia ,road1 and pointed out our course2 when we went on our way rejoicing1 and saw that day1 for the first time1 a herd of seven wild deer together4 ,but the old man6 ,what became of him8 ,didn't you pay him8 ,he turned homeward1 and we saw him no more4 ,we did pay him his full charge1 amounting to twenty-five cents6 ,i do not think my wife was ever afraid of a man after that1 because he looked rough in his dress4 ,as for ,amy1 she had the hooping-cough2 ,i don't remember how soon1 but she survived it2 and has weaned her eighth baby4 ,does the reader want an apology for a dull story8 ,story--,god bless you1 ,i have none to tell4 ,i could have made one1 embellished with various incidents2 could have had a rifle pointed1 or frozen all our hands and feet at least1 or anything else that's agreeable2 but it would not then have been1 as it is now1 the simple truth4 ,a ,,night ,,in ,,nazareth4 ,,by ,,mary ,,young4 ,but while he thought on these things1 behold1 the angel of the ,lord appeared unto him in a dream1 saying1 ,joseph1 thou son of ,david1 fear not to take unto thee ,mary thy wife2 for that which is conceived in her is of the ,holy ,ghost4--,,matthew i4 #bj4 ,stern passions rose1 and won wild mastery ,in ,joseph's breast4 ,he wandered darkly on1 ,from the calm fountain and the olive grove1 ,toward the wilderness1 as he would find ,room for the ocean tumult of his thoughts4 ,long had he loved her with a matchless love1 ,deep as his nature1 truthful as his truth2 ,and she was his--by every sacred tie-- ,his own1 espoused2 though ever still had dwelt ,on ,mary's thoughtful brow a chastening spell1 ,that shamed to stillness all life's throbbing pulses3 ,or1 if his words grew passion1 there would steal ,to her large1 azure eye a startled glance ,of sad1 deep questioning1 and she would turn ,appealingly to heaven1 with trembling tears-- ,yet was it she--the very same he saw1 ,writ o'er with all the foul name of a wanton4 ,one fearful word broke from the quivering lips ,of the young ,hebrew1 as at last alone1 ,by the dark base of a high1 shadowy rock1 ,he sank in agony2 and then he bent ,his forehead down to the cool1 mossy turf1 ,and lay there silently4 ,light1 creeping plants1 ,and one long spray of the white thornless rose1 ,stooped low1 and swayed above him2 a soft sound ,of far1 sweet1 breezy whisperings wooed his ear1 ,till gentler thoughts stole to him1 and he wept4 ,ere long his ear heard not3 all things around1 ,the present and the past--the painful past-- ,became as though they were not4 ,joseph lay1 ,with eyes closed calmly1 and a strange full peace ,breathed to his spirit's depths2 for there was one1 ,fairer and nobler than the sons of earth1 ,bending in kindness o'er him4 ,calmly still1 ,although to ecstasy his being drank1 ,the fathomless1 pure music of the voice ,heard in that visioned hour1 as once again ,he stood by the low portal of the home ,of ,mary4 ,he passed in with noiseless step4 ,through the dim vine-leaves of the lattice ,not a moonbeam fell1 and yet a softer ray ,than ever streamed from alabaster lamps1 ,lit the white vesture and the upturned face ,of her who knelt in meekness there4 ,her lips ,were motionless1 and the slight clasping hands ,pressed lightly on her bosom1 but a high ,seraphic bliss spoke in the fervent hush ,of the pure1 radiant features2 for she held ,unsoiled communion with her spirit's lord4 ,slowly away faded that glorious trance1 ,and the white lids lifted as though reluctant4 ,she looked on ,joseph1 and a faint1 quick flush ,swept shadowingly her forehead4 ,woman still1 ,she felt1 and painfully1 that at the bar ,of manhood's pride1 earth had for her no witness4 ,but the calm mien1 and broad1 uncovered brow ,of ,joseph1 told no anger4 ,he drew near1 ,and knelt beside her2 and the hand she gave ,in greeting was pressed close and silently1 ,with reverent tenderness1 upon his heart4 ,,tears4 ,,by ,,charles ,d4 ,,gardette1 ,m4,d4 ',tis said1 affliction's deepest sting ,some token of its pain will bring ,in tears of bitter flow2 ,but they who thus judge sorrow's smart1 ,know not the pang that wrings the heart1 ,with withering tearless woe6 ,the scorching grief that blasts the fount1 ,and dries its tears1 ere yet they mount1 ,to soothe the burning eye2 ,that speeds the blood with torrent force ,through every bursting vein to course1 ,yet leave each life-track dry6 ,the grief that binds with rankling chain ,each feeling of the heart and brain1 ,save sternness and despair2 ,and crushes with relentless hand ,each hope religion's trust had planned1 ,planting rebellion there6 ,such grief1 not one of these have known1 ,who say that flowing tears alone ,proclaim the bosom's throes6 ,tears are the tokens ,god designed ,for lighter griefs of heart and mind1 ,such as pure child-life knows2 ,and therefore1 hath ,he so ordained ,that infant-tears be not restrained1 ,but lightly caused to flow1 ,that these1 who cannot tell their grief1 ,shall find in weeping1 such relief ,as manhood may not know6 ,,inconstancy4 ,,by ,e4 ,m4 ,they told me he'd forsake me2 that the words ,with which he charmed my very soul away ,were like the hollow music of a shell1 ,that learns to mock the ocean's deeper voice4 ,for he had listened to love's tones1 until ,his ear and lip1 though not his heart1 had grown ,familiar with their melody4 ,nay1 more1-- ,they said his very boyhood had been marked ,by worse than a boy's follies2 that in youth1 ,the season of high hopes1 when lesser men ,put on their manhood1 as a monarch's heir ,rich robes and royalty1 his poor ambition ,asked but new charms and pleasures2 newer loves2 ,new lips to smile until their sweetness palled1 ,and softer hands to clasp his own1 until ,he wearied even of so light a fetter4 ,thus did they pluck me from him1 but in vain2 ,for when did warning stay a woman's heart8 ,i knew all this1 and yet ,i trusted him4 ,yea1 with a child's blind faith ,i gave my fate ,into his hands1 content that he should know ,how absolute his power and my weakness4 ,speak not of pride1 ,i never felt its lash4 ,there is no place for fallen ,lucifer ,in the pure heaven of a sinless love4 ,and when he left me1 as they said he would1 ,my spirit had no room for aught save grief4 ,giving the lie to my own conscious heart1 ,i taxed stern truth with falsehood to the last4 ,but when to doubt was madness1 when1 perforce1 ,even from my credulous eyes the scales were fallen1 ,what was the cold scorn of a thousand worlds ,to the one thought1 that for a counterfeit ,i'd staked my woman's all of love--and lost6 ,,crossing ,,the ,,tide4 ,,by ,,miss ,,ph,,be ,,carey4 ,fainter1 fainter1 all the while ,on us beams her patient smile2 ,brighter as each day returns1 ,in her cheek the crimson burns2 ,and her tearful1 fond caress ,hath more loving tenderness1-- ,saviour1 ,saviour1 unto her ,draw thou near1 and minister6 ,and when on the crumbling sand ,of life's shore her feet shall stand2 ,when the death-stream's moaning surge ,sings for her its solemn dirge1 ,and our earthly love would shrink1 ,trembling1 backward from the brink4 ,saviour1 ,saviour1 take her hand1 ,that her feet may safely stand6 ,firmly hold it in thine own1 ,gently1 gently lead her down2 ,and when o'er the solemn sea ,safely she shall walk with thee1 ,nearing to that other shore4 ,whence a voice hath called her o'er4 ,saviour1 ,saviour1 from the tide1 ,aid her up the heavenly side6 ,lead her on that burning way1 ,brighter than the path of day1 ,where a thousand saints have trod ,to the city of our ,god2 ,where a thousand martyrs came ,shining on a path of flame2 ,saviour1 till her wanderings cease ,on the eternal hills of peace4 ,,the ,,end4 ,transcriber's ,note ,footnotes have been placed at end of their respective chapter1 poem or note4 ,obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected4 ,variations in hyphenation have been standardised but all other spelling and punctuation remains unchanged4