The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1837-09-12

alton OF his own hands, it was little Paradise,
and when his bird Of beauty should be within
his bower, he would not have exchanged his
home in The woods for those stately halls his
mother had often told him of right should have
been his hubitatiou
The wedding day ut length arrived. 1t had
always been anticipated by Robert as one that
would bring nnalloyed happiness; but Mary had
often felt sadness, something like loreboding
of misfortune, come over her mind whenever her
marriage was alluded TO. She could not tell,
even her own heart the cause of this dopres-
sion; 1t was not that she felt amy doubt of Rob
ertS character or affections: she loved him bet
ter than all the world beside, and trusted in the
perfection of his goodness us IL catholic does
in his saint-nor did she fenr to dwell in the
WlldernesS-there had not for long time been
an alarm from the red men. Why is that, at
times, shadow will fall on the spirit which no
efforts of the mind, no arguments addressed to
the reason can dispel?
There were great preparations for the we'd
ding. Captain Woldron liked parade, and his
wife liked to show her housekeeping, and the
marriage afforded Il juslifaLIe occasion 10 gain
popularity by display of hospitality. Three
o'clock was the hour for the ceremony; then fol
lowed the feast; and Justly all the wedding guest
who had horses were invited TO join and escort
the young couple to their dwelling.
OF The wedding dress | shall only say that
these were very fashionable then, and would be
very INDUSTRIOUS HOW, ana II minute description
OF antiquatcd attire ought not 10 OCCUPY much
share in story so brief, for the events 1t chron
icles, this must he. The Rev. John Revner
oftcated as clergyman; and then the whole
party set down 10 dinner--the long table cover
ed with all good things which the country could
supply. At the head of the feast appeared an
enormous Indian pudding, (not made Of Indians,
rs an Engshman once inferred such Il pud-
ding might beg served up IN huge pewter plat
ter. The plates were of the same substantial
material, all shining like silver from Il recent
scrubbing-then they had roast beef and lamb,
and wild game and all the fruits and varieties of
the season. But they had no Wine nor s,roun
drink ofany kind, and the most ultra temperance
advocate would have found nothing to ccnsure
in the arrangements.
Robert Wilson's house stood about two miles
from that Of Captain Waldron's and more than
half mile from any habitation. This distance
was not considered much but then it was through
the thick old woods and the road was only cut
and freed from the obstruction of trees. No
carriage could have rolled over the rugged road,
but that was no matter, rs not Il wheel vehicle of
any kind excepting great lumber CARTS had ever
been seen in Dover So the gentlemen mount
ed their goodly steeds, and each gailanhy taking
Il lady behind him, set off, with the bridegroom
aud bride at the head of the cuvalcade in great
style, followed by the smiles and good wishes of
those who could not join for the lack of steet!s
Their progress joyous and rapid till they
entered winding path through the forest, when
n more sober pace became necessary; but Rob
erts horse being accustomed TO the way, still
pressed on in advance of tho party The path
just before entering the clearing surrounding his
house, approached very near the river, the curve
being made to avoid large rock that rose like
a wall on the north side of the road, combining
its width to a space barrel Y sufficient tor pas
sage. AS Robert was turning this rock, Mary
ulterng wild shrek, was either torn or fell
from her seat, the horse bounding forward at the
same instant, and while Robert, calling on his
wife, was endeavoring to rein his sleed, gun
was discharged by an Indian from behind the
rock. The ball struck the horse as he was rear
ing from the effect of the rein on his breast, and
he fell backwards upon his rider
The report ot the gun was followed by loud
shout frcm the wedding party, not that they
the cause of the firing; they supposed
Robert had reached his home and that some Of
the attendants there had fired the gun as u signal
for them to hasten.
Their shout intnidatcd the savages who pre-
cipitately fled with their prisoner, without ut
tempting to scalp hcr unfortunate husband.
The party rode joyousy up; but who can de-
scribe the CONSERVATION and horror, ON finding
Robert stretched apparently Ifeess, on the
ground covered with the blood OF his horse
which they mstook for his own, while the bride
was 10 where to be found. Caamcs never
fall with such an Overlooking force as VIXEN they
surprise i'll the midst of security aud happi-
ness. From that party, lately so joyous, was
now heard nothing but cxcanaations of fear, or
lamentations over the fate of the youthful pair,
or execratons against the enemy. The men
were all of Them unarmed, they could not, there
fore, pursue the Indians with any hope of rescu
ing Mary; but having ascertained that Robert
was still living, they bore him back TO the dwell
ling of Captain Waldron, from whence he had
SO lately gone forth in all the flush of youth and
joy.
There was no sleep that night in Dover. The.
inhabitants scared panic struck. They crowd
ed TO the fortified houses--mothers pressing their
children closer to their bosoms, as they listened
in hreathless terror, often ncying that they heard
the stealthy tread of the savages and trembling
in agony, us they thought Of their horrible yes.
But the night passed away without alarm, aud II
bright morning sun soon dispated their imagi-
nary terrors. Robert had nearly recovered from
the effects OF his fall; and though his cheek was
PALE there was a stcrnness IN his dark eye that
told that his spiriI was unqnelled. 1t was his
determination to seek his wifeand several young
IL, o1,,t,,N III