The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-02-22
The Frontier House.
A tale Of tie early settlement Of Concord
BY MRS. s. j. HALE.


But my dream of those irightCul savages, Ed,
ward, said she.
oh! that should righten you, he replied. -
Remember you had been hearing Indian stories all
the evening and the wise man says, "a dream com
eth through a multitude of business which our
good Mr.. Walker explains a meaning Of what
ever most engross our thoughts, particularly just
before we fail asleep. There have not been any
traces Of the savages discovered this season, and
should be very sorry to raise an alarm in town
merely on account of dream.
'But you know Edward they a secret las we'll
terrible enemy, said Mrs. Abbott, as she rails
ed her mild eyes TO her husbands face with that
pleading expression, when tears seem ready 10
start. and yet checked by The fear of giving
pain to one that the heart loves, that fond hus-
band finds so difficult to Withstand.
Il will not 60 to the garrison to day. said he Jay.
ing down his hat.
But you promised your father, and he expects
you important business, said Mis-. Abbott.
'You must go; know my fears childish, but
they shall not make me wicked. | am 100 apt too
think my security depends entirely your pres
ence. I forgot the One mighty to defend
me, and that trust in him is shield to the Chris
| tain You had better GO
began to feel the fears she was endoavorng to
shake OF Come, prepare our little Edward and
we will go down together. If there has been any
alarm, will not return to night.
Rebecca paused few rnomen s ,as if considering
her husbands proposition. The sublclics OF an
ancient schooman are not so perplex,pg,
Trajectory, often the feeling and wishes Of
the human heart Scarce five minutes had elapsed
pobo haxy IN IN
accompany her husband would have obviated eve.
ry inconvenience, and been attended with no dan.
ger But other considerations Edward
had been summoned to attend public meeting o.
the town. Should she go with him it might excite
notice, for Tho ladies OF those days seldom wished
and shond inquiries be made she could hardly sat
isfy them without abiding to her fears, and there
was telling where when the excitement
would stop And moreover, her husband might
incur reproof from the elders for listening to his
wifes fears and dreams and thus raising agta,ions
among the people All these things might occur,
because the wife of Edward Abbott could not stay
| alone afternoon.
! Il will have more fortitude Edw srd, SAID Rebec.
ca, smiling. Il will not make fool of you though
l appear like one myself. I will not go. 1t is
nearly mile, and you have no time to spare to
go-so do not let hinder you another moment
| II was IN vain Edward urged her to accompany
him. The more she his generous anxiety on
her account, the more she abored TO suppress her
fears, till finally she persuaded him and herseIrto
that she felt neasness all from the prospect
OF passing three hours alene-and Edward de.
parted.
The house of Edward Abbott stood on the Yves
tern bank of the Merrmack NEARLY a mile from the
present village Of Concord, then called Rumford
Edward the first who had ventured to reside
at such distance from the fortified houses and
he had thus obtained the repu taton Of remarkable
courage, Of which he quite as proud as DASH
ing blade Of these days would be in accepting
| challenge 80 duel His wife too, participated in
his triumph, and the wish to spare him mortifca-
| ton powerful motive to inspire her with res
ouon TO overcome her own fears and allow him
TO depart, when from the presentment she felt as
if danger nigh, she would, by the superslitions
Of the times, have been justified in OBTAINING, or
at least accompanying him.
But she him depart without tears, watched
him from the small window till he entered the for
est, and then betook herself to her household con.
cerns. Yet sho could not forbcar going frequently
to the door, and sometimes she would 60 forth and
gaze around her little domain and then watch the
progress of the sun, with an expression OF counte
nance that to observer, would instantly have
| reveaIed the agitation and anxiety her heart
suffering. Every thing abroad in perfect quiet
ness. There scarce breath Of air perceptbe
and the waters Of the Merrimack flowed without a
ripple The calm July sky looked deeper and
more heavenly blue, 1t by Rebecca
from spot crcumscrbed by tall trees, now cloth.
ed with such funess of foliage as made the forest
look dark and almost impenetrable. Close around
the house were planted corn and vegetables
and field of wheat, front of the dwelling, stretch
ed forth in unbroken green to the rivers brink -
There was not a sound TO be heard save the chirp-
ing of n robin that had built her nest the ches-
nut which stood close to the south west corner OF
the house, the only Tree suffered to grow within
the Enclosure of Edward. The young birds were
fully fiedged, and under the guidance of their par
ents were about quitting their nest. Rebecca
watched their movements, the old birds en-.
courag:ng, now seeming to chide their tmd off
.,r;,o 6naIIy they reached the xyooJs and all