Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-07-15
Il II L r L s c U + .
EE yHTss D.. y. SMITH,

The incident about to be related is one of
the many similar ones which occurred du-
ring the early settlement of America. Those
who sought home IN the savage wilds,
which then covered the land, welded them
selves to life of peril and hardship. The
dangers which continually threatened them,
called forth all the heroic qualities of their
nature, and their lives were marked by many
lofty deed Of daring and devotion. Such
deeds should not sink into oblivion, for they
belong to the history of our country, and as
such, should be recorded and remembered.
We would present picture to the imag lin
alton of the reader. There is broad and
beautiful stream, with deep, still waters,
flowing on between banks covered by Iuxu-
RANT foliage; and its bright surface dotted
here and there with fairy lutte isles, where
graceful shrubs and fragrant flowers bud and
blossom undisturbcd in wild and lonely love-
illness. Bright plumed birds, Of many varie-
tics, are wnging their way over the quiet
water, and the surrounding scene echoes
with their tuneful minslrelsy. On the bor-
ders of the river, at the edge of a forest that
stretches far away over hill and dale, stands
the rude but picturesque dwelling Of Il back
woodsman; with the blue smoke curling up
from its lowly roof, and its humble walls
gancing out from the green foliage that SUR
rounds them. There are some indications
Of taste and refinement near the woodlands
home, which give cheerful appearance to
that otherwise wild and lonely scene A
graceful vine curtains the low y window, and
many bright flowers, natives of distant soil,
shed their grateful perfume around. Near
the door hangs cage, containing a rare and
beautiful bird, whose song of gladness breaks
swcety upon the stiffness of that solitary
place.
On a low seat at the entrance of the
dwelling, is seen young woman, caressing
an infant. She has lost the blooming love-
illness of early youth, her cheek is pale, and
her brow wears that thoughtful expression
which is imprinted by the touch of care; We
she is still beautiful in form and feature, ant
none may look upon her without admiration
AS she bends over her child in her arms, he
eye fills with the unutterable tenderness ant
love which are only seen in the eve of
mother, and Which makes the face of beau
tifu woman almost angelic. Now and thel
she turns from the child, to send an anxious
glance towards the forest, as if she watched
for the approach of some one from that d
rection. She is momentarily expecting he
husband. He left his home at morn til,
hour appointed for his return passed away
the shadows Of the trees are lcnghrning il
the rays of the setting sun, and yet ne come
not. The fond wife begins TO trcmblc 70
lis safety--a fearful foreboding of cvi. steal
over her mind and the dark dread of SOM
approaching calamity haunts her magma
ton.
She has reason to fear; for that portion O
country was, at this time, the theatre of man
a tragic scene. Sometimes the woodman i
penetrating too far into the painless reccsse
of the forest, lost his way, and wandered 70
days in the wilderness, suffering many mis-
cries, and perishing at last by the pangs G
hunger. Sometimes hungry beast of pre-
would cross the path of the wanderer, AN
doom him to dreadful death. Sometime
the willy red man, who yet lurked about tles
lonely wilds, entrapped the white hune
and from spirli OF revenge, or the thir'
for blood, sacrificed his victim with the mo-
wanton aud barbarous cruelty.
As the anxious mother thought of thcs
things, her fears and forebodings became al
most insupportablc. flushing the infant I
sleep, she carried it into the dwelling, an
deposited it in its cradle bed. And the
FASTENED forth, and wandered along the pat
that led to the forest, anxiously looking fol
ward awhile for her husband. She wake
onward for some time, fondy hoping to Sc
re object Of her search, but her hopes wer
:, and sending one more searching gIanc