Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-10-23


morning rays of summers sun poured down upon
the landscape, and every hing around was bright,
and gay, and beautiful. | was still lost in ajmira.
ton at the ovcness of the scene when the old man
signifed his readiness 10 commence his tale.
at is now fifty years ago." he began, "snce
came to this valley young fron,icrman, with
hardy constitution, q love Of adventure, and the
reputation Of being the beet sho, on the border the
place was, at that ,imo settled principally by
families from Connecticut, and even then bore ira
ces OF its present luxuriant cultivation. Many Of
the families were in good circumstances, others had
seen better dsys-and altogether the society was
more refined than was usual on the frontier A.
mong all the families, however in he valley, none
pleased me so much MS that of Mr.. Bcvery-snd,
OF his iresde circle his second daughter Kate, WIS,
in my opinion, the gem.-How shall describe her
beauty! Lovely, without being beautiful, with
sylph'like form, laugh as joyous the carol of
oi'd, astep lighter than ltut of young fawn in
sportre play, and disposition aminble as TO
win irrcsistaby, the love Of all who met her, Kee
Beverly scarcely seventeen before she had q
host Of admirers, and might have won any youth
in the valley. Why it tha, she preferred me
owe, all the rest, cannot say perhaps it was the
consciousness Of some mysterious sympathy link
ing us together, or perhaps it was that we both
came from the same town in Connecticut, and had
been schoo-mates in chiIdhood-so it was, how
ever. II soon began to be known hroughou, the
valley that before another season should elapse,
Kate Beverly would become my wife.
"Oh how happy were those days-,oo happy
indeed, to last. | will not dwell upon them. for
they fill my soul with agony. Suffice it to say,
that while dreaming of bliss such as mortal never
before experienced, the war of the revolution broke
ou,-and, after hard struggle between my passion
and my duty, the latter conquered, and Joined
the army. Kate did no, attempt to dissuale me
from the act-she rather loved me the more for il,
Though her woman nature caused her to shed Tears
at my departure, her reason told her was right,
and she bid me God speed.
Heaven bless you, Henry" she said, land
bring this unnatural war 10 conclusion. ! can,
hot bid you stay, tu, pray that the necessity for
your absence may soon cease"
"Trme rolled by--tho American cause was still
doubtful, and the war bid fair to be proracted into
years. ] had I.en to lie Captain in the-re.
gimcnt, when received information. that the tories
and Indians intended making descent on the val
ley Of tho Wyoming. | knew the unprotected
situation of my adopted district, and trembIcd for
The lives of those held most dear, At irs,
dscredlted the rumor-chance, however threw in
my way an opportunity OF ascertaining the reality
Of the reported descent, and became convinced
that not a moment was to be lost if | would save
the lives of those loved at home. Ny deermi-
nation was d. once inken-I solicited for leave of
absence-i, was refused then resigned my com
mission, aud Sc, forth to Wyoming.
Il never shall forget my emotions when drew
near that Inflated place j, on the very day OF
the massacrc--and the first initmation had of the
calamity was the mangled body Of one Of the in
habitants, whom had known, floating down the
stream. A cold shiver ran through every vein
gazed on the terrible sight, and thousand fear.
agi,atcd my bosom but my worst surmises fell
far short Of the truth. When, hours after, ! met
some of the fugiriyes, and they rehearsed to me
that tale Of horror stood for a moment thunder
struck, refusing 10 believe tha, beings in human
form could perpelra,e such deejs-bu, it was all too
true.
"Almost my first inquiry was for Kate. No one
knew, alas ! what had become Of her One Of
those who mad escaped the fight, told me that her
father had heen killed al the beginning of ,ae
conflict ard that, deprived OF protector, she had
probably fallen a victim to the infuIia'c ssvages,
while the other inhabitants were severaly engaged
in protecting themselves. How ! cursed them for
this selishness And yet could | expect aught
else Of human nature, Than that each one should
proec, those dearest to them, to the deser,on
Of others
Bnt my mind WAS soon made up, resolved
come what might to ascertain cl' Iry the fate Of
Kste-so that ifdead might revenge her, aud il
living, nigh, rescue her. Bidding f1rcwell to
the flying group, shoaiIeed my life and struck
boldly into the forest, trusting in the guidance Of
that God who never deserts Us in our eItremi.ies
al Will no, tire you with prorsc,ed narrative /;
! will only say that, after numerous inquiries from
| the fugitives met, learned that Kate had been
last seen in the hands Of party Of savages,-lhis
was sufficien, for a clue,--l once more began to
| hope. waited until nigh,fsl, when ! sought the
spot which had been described TO me as the one
| where Kate had been last secn-and. never shall |
! forget my feelings Of almost rdputous pleasure,
when found in the neighboIng forest a frsglnen..
| Of har hro.. .,irLinn nl, a hnsh he r,kt :. Ii