Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-06-27
From the Lowell Offering.
THE INDIAN PLEDGE,

THE INDIAN PLEDGE.
On the loorsteps Of a cottage in the land of
"seady habits" some Ninety or an hundred years
since, might, on soft evening in June, have been
seen sturdy young farmer, preparing his Soy thes
for the coming hay making season. 80 intent
was lie upon his work, that he needed not tie APP
proach of a tall Indian, accoutred for hunting
expedition, UNTIL win you give an unfortunate
hunter some supper and lodging for the night 2"
in tone OF supplcation caugh, his ear
The farmer raised his eyes from his work, and
darling fury from beneath pair of shaggy eye
brows, he exclaimed, Heather, Indian dog, he
gone you shall have nothing here"
"But am very hungry" said the Indian; give
only crust of bread and bone, 10 strengthen
me on my journey"
SECT you gone, you heather dog said the
farmer "l have nothing for you"
"Gve me but cup of cold WATER" said the In
dian, " for am very faint"
This appeal was not more successful than the
others. Reiterated abuse, and to he told to drink
when he came to q river was oil he could obtain
from one who bore the name Of Christian! But
the supplicating appeal fell not UNDECIDED on the
Of one of finer mould and more senslbly.-
The farmers youthful bride heard the whole, as
she sat hushing her infant to rest and from the
open easement she watched the poor Indian, until
she saw his dusky form sink, apparently exhaust
ed, on the ground, ut no great distance from her
dwelling. Asceraining that her husband was too
busted with his work to notice her, she was soon
at the Indians side, with pitcher of milk and a
napkin filled with bread and cheese. "W my
red brother sake his thirst with some milk !" said
this angel of mercy and as he essayed 10 COM
ply with her invitations she united the napkin, and
babe him eat and be refreshed.
Cantantowwt protect the white dove from the
pounces of the eagle" said the Indian f; for her
sake the unf1edged young shall he sale IN their
nest, and her red brother will not seek to be re-
venged.'
He then drew n bunch Of feathers from his be-
som, and pluckng one of the longest, gave it to
her, and said, "When the white doves mate
flies over the Indians hunting grounds, bid him
wear this on his head"
The summer had passed away. uarvest-time
had come and gone, and preparations had been
made for hunting excursion by the neighhors.-
Our young farmer was TO be one OF the party but
on the of their departure he had strange mis-
givings relative to his saiety. No doubt his mn
agnation was haunted by the form OF The Indian,
whom, in the preceding summer, he had treated
SO harshly.
The morning that Witnessed the departure OF
the hunters one of SURPRISING beauty Not
cloud WIS 10 be seen, save one that gathered on
the brow OF lchabod, four young farnerD as he
attempted TO tear feather from his hunling-cap,
| which was sewed fast to it. llis.we arrested his
hand, while she whispered in his ear, aud slight
! culver agitaed his lips as he said "Wel Mary, 4
! YOU think this feather will protect me from lhe
arrows of the redskins, III cen let it remain. -
| lchabod donned his cap, shouIdered his rifle, and
the hunlers were soon on their way in quest OF
game.
The day wore away was usual with people
on like excursion and al nightfal they took
shelter in The den OF bear, whose flesh served
| for SUPPER and whose skin spread on bruns bed
| of leaves powed their heads through long NJ
vember night.
With the first dawn of morning, the hunters
If, H. ola
lchabod, by some mishal soon separated from his
companions, and in trying to join them, got be-
| wildered. He wandered all day in the forest, and
Just as the sun was receding IRON sight, and he
was about sinking down in despair he espled al
Indian hut. With mingled emotions of hope and
fear, he bent his steps towards it (; and meeting al
Indian at the door, he asked him TO direct hun 10
the nearest white settlement.
{" If the weary hunter will rest till morning, the
eagle will show him the way TO the nest OF his
white dove,' said the Indian, lis he took lchaboc
} by the hand and led him within his hut. The In
) dian gave him supper of parched corn and ven
ison and spread The skins OF animals which ht
had taken in hunting, for his bed.
The light had hardly begun TO streak the east
when the Indian awoke lchabod, and after
slight repast, the twain started for the settlement
} Of the whites. Late in The afternoon, as they e.
merged from thick wood, lchabod with Joy es
pied his home A heartfelt ejaculation had scarce
! escaped his lips, when the Indian stepped betor
him, and turning around, stared him full in tn
face, and inquired if he had any recollection Of
. previous acquaintance with his red brother. Up
on being answered in The negative, the lndlu
, said, "Five moons ago when was faint aud wea
j ry, you called me an Indian dog, and drove m
I from your door. | might now be revenged; bu
$ Cantantowwit bids me tell you to go home; an,
d hereafter, when you see red man in NEED {
f kindness, do to him as you have been done BY
= Farewell"
d The Indian having said this, turned upon hi
g heel, and was soon out of sight lchabod We
abashed He went home purified in heart, hay
g ing learned lesson of Christianity from an untu
d tored savage. TABlTHA.