The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-12-25

From the Nsw York Kniekerbaeker.
The Dark Maid Of Illinois.

.I.|
Father Francis took an early occasion
TO say a word in season to the savagcs,
on the great business of his mission.
They heard him with gravity. and prom
issd to take the matter into considern-
ton but as their intercourse was wholly
by signs. it is not likely that they were
greatly edited. He showed them tel
cscope, mariners compass, and a
watch. and cndeavoured to explain their
several properties they listened with at
tention, offered food to the watch, which
they supposed to be a living ANIMAL
looked with fear ut the telescope, and
picked the old mans pocket while he
was Iecturing upon natural philosophy.
Upon the whoIe.- the snyages showed
great capabilities for the pursuits of
civilized life.
The next morning the young warriors
dispersed themselves in the neighboring
groves, to paint their bodies and decor
nte their heads. This is the most impor.
tant employment of an Indians's life.
No beau, or dandy, or exquisites, in any
part of the world, spends more time
in the laborious duties Of the toilet,
than is consumed by the savage in de-
corating his person. Pierre went among
them, bowling and smiling in his usual
ohliging manner with his razors, and
pomaiums, and after exhibiting speci-
mems of his skill upon himself, prevail
ed upon some of his new acquaintances
to place themselves under bis hands.
He was acomplcte adept in his own
art and. directed by the slight observn-
tions he had been enabled to make, paint
ed up some Of the savagcs after their
own fashion with peculiar elegance, and
TO their entire satisfaction. They were
delighted with his clever and obliging
talents. Io exhibited his lancet and
tooth-drawers, and explained their use
] by significant gestures, and the savases,
supposing them to bc delicate iustru-
ments for torturing prisoners of war.
patted him on the head az valuable
auxiliary. "A pocket mirror, and some
srinkets which he displayed. won their
admiration, tnd they soon determined,
that although, Father Francis mig't be the
highest in rank, Pierre was far the
greatest man, and most valuable acquain-
tance.-Such are the triumphs of genius!
Pierre had ventured upon a delicate ex-
pertinent, in which hundred Of the
consumately skilled artists might have
been successful he had tou ched the for
tunate spring, and found the talisman to
fame and fortune. In the fallness Of his
heart he opened small package of
looking glasses which he brought for
traffic and distributed them among the
warriors, presenting the largest and
most elegant to the chief, who was SO
much delighted, that he instantly, with
princely liberality, offered him his
daughter in marriage. Happy Pierre
! He was that day the proudest of men
and the most blissful Of BARRIERS!
Pierre had many scruples whether he
should accept this generous Office mo,
that he considered it above his merit,
Ion ihs>pntrary, he gave the chief grea
credit for having had the acuteness tc
discover his genius, and the discrimina
ton to know how to appreciate it. Blu
he had not forgotten his obligations t.
.Annette. Poor little Annette, what woult
she think, ifhe should marry another Ia
dy I He was sure she would neve
stand it. "No," said he " 1 will be true
to Annette have promised her m,
hand. and a shnre in my gold mine
and nothing shall ever make me act in
manner unbecoming French gentle
man." Having formed this resolution
he put his hand on one side Of his head
and strutted through the village with tn
independent air Of a man who choose
to do as he pIeases, and with the self
satisfied countenance of ono who ha
made virtuous resolution.
But Pierre knew little Of tho frailty o
mis- own heart. He began to reflect tha