Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-03-08
VOL. X.NO. %.
From the Essex County IN Y Times.
THE HERMIT OF THE AUsABLE !;
on. THE WHITE cutrr.

Ohs Il NJ " I'LL n CMlEEs
On bright evening in the Autumn Of
~, two persons stood on the shore Of
lake, the extreme source Of the AnsabIe.
Cue was speaking with the dignity Of an In
dian ChHf--ihe other listening with the en-
gerness of youth white mani" said the
speaker, IL have ever been friend 10 your
race, have held back the tonIahawk Of my
people, when The French have urged us 10
dye il with yonr blood. Though they
threatened us with determination for our at
tachment TO you, yet we have boldly de6cd
them. We have fought for you, many OF Us
have died for yon In return, j only ask
that you will treat the Indians kindly when
death has conquered their Chief
"You call me red skin; but there is
not a drop Of Indian blood in my veins.
Yes, since you ask il, will tell you my sto-
ry: repeat il not until the Indians have
lnourned for their Chief; then speak, If you
will
"For the last fifty years my home has
been in the wiIderness--my cabin on the
shore of this lake Ny youthful days were
spent on the bright shores Of England and
there, while almost crushed by misfortune,
| sought the direction Of the Great Spirit,
and am far happier here in my cabin, than
are Of my dying mother, and have never
forgotten her look Of love, as she commend-
ed her children, myself and sister, 10 her
God. The remaining years Of her child
hood had nearly passed, when at school, wc
became acquainted with James and Annette
s.. loved my sister ardently; yet,
short time only had passed when preferred
the society of Annettee. The world would
call il childish, but it was real love, --iove
that did not cease with death. More than
fifty years have passed since last saw her;
yet her bright image is plainly before me,
as il was at the last parting, when pressed
her trembling hand. Al last we babe our
school-maies adieu, and left for home At
parting, she told me that she would ever
love me--that she could love none else
So, with light heart left her to visit again
The scenes Of my early days. But my happi-
ness was of short DURATION AL around my
once happy home had felt the blight Off
and decay, and my once kind father was
wretched drunkard. He had sought to
drown sorrow in the Intoxicating cup. till
disease had laid him on the bed Of death,
and we only reached home to watch BY his
bedside few days. while consumption did
his fatal work. "ChiIdren T. said my father,
as the death-sweat stood on his forehead, II
shall soon appear before God. leave you
with the hope tina, he has forgiven my sins.
Now give me one pledge, and can die in
peace--Promise me here by my dying bed,
that you will never taste the drunkards
cup" The pledge was given, and never
has been broken--no, never shall it be.
CAT the decease of my father, we were
pennyless. Though all these broad lands /
called my own were another's, yet, for my
self, | cared not, but the thought that my
sister was beggar. could not bear. She
had written to James S., my former
schoolmaie, mentioning our circumstances,
and reminding him OF his former profess
sions Of love. His reply was an expression
of surprise that one in her circumstances.
should presume to address gcnteman.--
!, The heiress had changed TO the pennyless
, orphan. A line from her to whom he
had pledged his love, that he once sought
as favor, was now received as ain INSULT
J She never smiled again Her sorrow soon
, ended in the quiet Of the grave. Before
/ leaving England, sought an interview with
Annette. She was walking with her broth
err, on beautiful eminence giving wide
view Of the sea l was so soon 10 CROSS
The first glance told me more than words
can express. | knew she loved me and
, would love none else. Before a word had
/ passed, her brother attacked me.
D "Vilain!" said he, ''relinquish all claim
to the hand of my sister, or this moment il
: your last !"
: II shall ever detest you as the murderer
of my sister," said L ''your sister shall
ever love-"
There was loud report Of his pistol as
! forced it from his hand, and the next mos
ment he was struggling in my grasp on the
brink Of precipice. When my conscious
ness returned, was al the foot oi the cliff
from which we had fallen, and beside me
was the body of james S.. He was
dead For me 10 stay In England. was to
die. In few days was on board an In-
diaman, in the broad Atlantic, Years pass
ed away, and noble vessel richly laden
with the treasures of the Indies entered an
English port. i now had wealth; and.
could see Annette, we might leave En-
gland and be happy As / passed the
church-yard. splendid marble monument
attracted my attraction. Ii was The grave of
Annette. spent beside il few moments
OF the deepest anguish. aud there resolved
to leave England forever.
} "iiere | have been for half century.
loved and respected by my tribe. Away
from the vices of civilized man, have en-
deavored TO restrain the Indians; and now.
when they Law me here heside The byioht