The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-05-04
THE DARK-EYED MAID.
ny MRS. L. HAYNES.

A lovely valley where the fourishng village oil
W. now stands, in l6-, was occupied by
circle of cone-topped wgwams, before one
of which, at the close of sultry afternoon sat a
son Of the fore t, whose girdle of scaIps and HE
roglyphc marks told that he was warrior and
chief of high honor His sinewy arm, held forth
string Of beads, while his piercing eye looked
into those of a young female who eagerly sprang
forward on seeing the baubles. Grasping the
treasure with laugh of joy, and twning them
in her hair, she bounded away like a young fawn,
to join her companions.
On the hill side near by stood a well formed,
fair faced youth, in the garb of huntsman, lean
ing on his gun. Through an opening in the trees
he had been an unseen witness to what had just
passed, and as he gazed after her who seemed a
bird escaped from Paradise, he shouldered his RI
file, and with an apparently wearied step, ap-
preached the spot where the chief still sat, who,
seeing him, asked:
"Whence comes the pale face-what seeks he
of the red man -
sFood and rest,' replied the other. "Three
days ago | left Shawmut with hunting party !;
while in search of game, separated from, and
forest, have since wandered about, and was con-
being unable to find them, or my way out of the
templating another night in the woods, when
through The trees saw the smoke of your cabin.
| am i'll; let me lie in it, and here is money!"
added he, temptingly offering the chief handful
Of silver eG
"The chief of great people will not take it.
His wigwam is open to the hungry, though he be
white face who would rob him of his game.
Enter"
The parents of William Raymond came from
England. With the hopes of retrieving lost for
tune. BY their indulgence he, at an early age,
had mingled with those circles of fashion that de-
mand but pageantry for recommendation lie
had learned their Wees and brought to this coun-
try an unprincipled heart, combined with hand
some face and pleasing manners.
He was soon seated on mat in the rough
dwelling of the Indian, who recalled his daughter
to tend on him. When William beheld her re-
gular features, snow white teeth, sunny cheeks,
ewes of such dazzling brightness as to defy
knowledge of their true color, he thanked fate
for placing him in the way of the forest flower.
With his usual gallantry he arose at her en-
trance, when the red man sad
"This is the daughter of the great chief, the
pride of the squaw, the idol of the warrior! They
call her Violet Eye. Fifteen times the birds and
flowers have come back since the Great Spirit
gave her to me" turning to her, he added,
"bring some venison and corn for the pale
stranger" rH
A little time and William joined the games Of
the Indians; by his daring courage, heetness of
foot, and skill with the rifle, which he presented
to the Chief, he soon became favorite with
them. For the maiden, whose gulleless heart
knew no wrong he gathered wild flowers to deck
her hair, the brightest plumage for her dress ;
placed his rings her fingers, and tied his bright
handkerchief around her neck. She, in return,
prepared him food, wove him moccasins, and
smoothed the long fair curls from his brow, while
he talked OF love.
No cloud obscured the heart of the Violet Eye
but he whose presence made its sunshine soon
tired, and uuder the pretence OF getting orna-
ments for her, urged his DEPARTURE promising 70