Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-10-02


Invaluable treasure. The chief re.
NAMED irexorable. Then Tahmiroo
no longer joined in the dance. and the
old mao noticed that her rich voice
was silent when they passed her wig
yam. The light Of her beauty began
to fade, and the bright vermiiiion cur.
rent, which mantled under her brown
cheeks, became sluggish and pale.
The langaid glauce cast on the morn
ing sun add the bright earth, entered
into her fathers soui lie could not
see his beautiful child thus wasting
away. lie had long Averted his eyes,
Whenever he saw Fioriwoad tic Rance;
out enc day when he crossed his hunt
ing path, he laid HE hand on his shout
dor. and pointed to Tahmiroo's dwell.
ling. Not word WAS spoken. The
proud old man and the blooming Low.
or entered IL together. T.hmiroo wa,
seated ia the darkest corner Of the
wigwsm, her head leaning on her hand.
her basket work tangled beside her,
and bunch Of flowers that the village
maidens bad brought her, scattered and
whitening at her feet. The chief look.
ed upon her with 4 vehement expires.
sion Of love which none but stern coun.
tenaaces can wear. Tahmiroo."
he said, IN subdued tone. go to the
w'gwam Of the stranger, that your IA.
Their may again see you love To look on
the rising SUI and the opening dow
ers." There was mingled Joy in the up
ward glance Of the startled Fawu' Of
the Sioux and when Florimond de
Rance sa~ the light Of her mild eye.
suddenly aud timidly veiled by its
deeply friDsed Ind. he knew that he
had lost none Of his power.
The marriage song was soon heard
IN the royal wigwam, aud the young
sdventurer became the sou OF king.
Months and years passed on, and
found TAhmiroo the same devoted.
submissive being. Her husband no
longer treated her with the uniform
gallsntry OF a lover.-He was not
sften harsh but he adopted something
OF the coldness and Indifference Of the
nation he had joined. Tahmiroo souie.
times wept in secret. but so much Of
fear bad lately mingled with her love,
that she carefully Concealed her grief
trsm him who had occasionsd it,
When she watched his eountenance
with that pleading, innocent look.
which had always characterised her
beauty, she sometimes W ould obtain a
glance, sach as he bad given her in
fsrmer days. and then her heart would
leap like 4 frolicsome lamb. and she
would live cheerfully on the remcm.
brance OF that smile through many
wearisome days Of silence and neglect.
Never was woman. in her heart break.
Ing dsvotedness, satisfied with such
slight testimonials OF love. as was this
gentle Sioux girl. II Florimond chose
to hsh, she would herself ply the oars,
rather than he should suffer fatigue /;
and the gaudy canoe her father nd
given her, might often be seen gliding
DOVE the streams, while TAhmiroo
dipped her oars 10 usison with her soft
rich voice, and the indolent French.
man lay sunk in luxurious repose.
She bad learned his religion; but for
herself she never prayed. The cross
which he had given her vas always
raised ~ application for him and If he
bot looked unkindly to her, she kisseJ
It and Invoked its aid in agony Of soul.
She fancied the sounds Of his native
land might be dear to him, and she stu
died his language with . patience and
perseverance, to which the savage has
seldom been known to submit. She
tried 60 initiate the dresses she had
hsaEed him describe. aud If he locked
with z pleased eye on any ornament
she wore. IL was always reserved 20
welcome his return. Yet for all this
iavishnsss of love, che asked bat kind
approving locks, which cost the giver
netting. Alas, for the perverssness Of
man. IA seorning the affections he ceas
es to doubt. The little pittance Of
love, for which poor Tahmiroo's heart
had yearned so much. was seldom Civ
en-. Her soul was perpStaal prev TO
anxiety add excitement and the aaiet
certainty Of domestic bliss vas never
her allotted portion. There we're, how
ever, two beings on whom she could
pour forth her whole food 0f tender
ness, without rsproof or disappoint.
msnL She he'd given birth to son
and daughter Of uncommon promise !;
Vietoirs, the eldest, had her fathers
beauty. save IN the melting dark eve.
with iis plaintive expression. sod the
modest-droopiBg Of its silken lash.
Her cheeks bad just enough Of the IN
dish hue 20 give them warm. rich
coloring. and such vas her early matu.
rIty. that AZ thirteen years Of age. her
tall figure combined the graceful elias.
ITCHY Of youth. With the majesty Of
womanhood. She had sprung up At
her fathers feet. with the sudden luxa
rance Of tropical flower; and her
matured loveliness aroused eli the
tenderness and energy within him. II
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