The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-06-30
st. JOhnSbury, Vt, June 80, 1916.

SSN''
she had brought with her into the wilderness, and |
Endcott, who had been educated at College, could |
NOT help aduirng the excellent taste her seecons
at the same time she opened her heart TO hun, md
complained bitterly Of the exile TO which she was
doomed. sudden food Of bright ruddy sunshine
pouring in upon the floor, interrupted them. The !
storm was passed; the srenmed from tho west
over the wet gscning forests and tho swollen river
while light fresh breeze awoke, and robbin that
had strayed far into the wilderness began his song
My ancestor took his leave The Gext morning. Tho
old lady showed some feeling at parting with him,
though tho master OF the house did alter his po
sition, take his pipe from his mouth, change in
the least his accustomed air Of moody Indifference
Sarah bore him company IS Far as the edge of The
forest. Her eyes were red und swollen, and while
Endicott conversed gaily, she replied word.
At the moment Of separation, he pressed his good
wishes upon her lips. Come and me again.
said the poor girl, THAT will, replied my ances-
tor, raising his fox-slin cap from his head they
parted more out Of tho native gsianry Of his brave
heart, than from any artificial good breeding lie had
asked Of her some token Of remembrance, and she
gave him a ribbon which he now tied to his cap,
md laughngly waved il TO her she turned back to
gaze after him. If he had been nearer, no would
have that she weeping. When about noon
he had reached point of view whence he could
The mountains and the forests TO the westward, he
thought he distinguished the rocky SUBMITS that
looked down on the little valley My ancestor was
by means enanored but no gazed with a warm in~
terest toward the place, and felt that those savage
mountains contained something tina, would give them
place in his recolecons. Il will see you again,
Al l.. a
nearly forgotten her in the excitement of the after
noaR's chase.
Late in the summer, however, he resolved to hGnt
Sgnin among the Taconic mountains and might be
expected, his steps TURNED in the same direction
before lie had equipped himself with unusual care
for this expedition. His attire far surpassed any in
which he had hitherto taken the field. 1t consisted
Of bunting frock of dressed deer skin, fitting mach
closer 10 his person than usual with such garments
and gsiy embroidered with dyed moose hair and por-
cupine quilts. lie the Indian leggns, with their
guu6y frnges extending down the outside Of the leg
and corresponding moccasns. His cap was of fox
skin. with the animals tail brought over tho crown
like the ridge of helmet. A knife was thrust into
his belt; his powder horu carved all with var
Gus devices, hung at his side; and his rhe lay in
the hallow of his le arm. This dress though rattle
wild and savage very well displayed the light Ahet-
ic figure Of my ancestor, whose limbs had been har-
dened by the years Of exercise to the streSgih and
elasticity Of steel.
| The morning beautiful one for hunter or
lover of nature Endicott combined both characters
and had, into the bargain, unwearied limbs and a
| buoyani spirit. Al the bottom Of vide hallow a
mong the hills which he was traversing, Of
those openings in the forest accustomed by tho too
great moisture Of the ground. 1t was smooth the
surface Of a lake, and covered with beautiful
dure, while the forest enclosed it with dense swelling
masses of foliage gstening in the soft sunisht and
beyond were tho mountain SUBMITS, not yet quite
clear from the mists of the sunrise. My ancestors
spirits in unison with the freshness and gaety
of the Anorning. Here were none Of the sombre
gloom and silence orthe wilderness. The red SPUR
rels kept up ncessant chipping in the borders Of
the woods, and leuped about in the hickory and oak
trees; the bue-jay repeated their harsh notes,
they aaw, CHANGING in the SUM- ia and out Of tho fol-
iase; the little wood eckes could be heard their
labor and all living things seemed to have deserted
the dark Forest and gathered around that sunny open
ing. Endicot, down at the foo, OF an old maple
that grew little mound in the very centre, and
refreshed himself at spring whose pure waters SUM
bered dark and glistening in the reccsses between
| its moist roots
As he passed down the rough pathway that led
toward the valley, his steps grew quicker. large
grey squirrel, whose ue barking voice he had heard
for some Time ran the branches Of pine, that
reached over the road, and swinging himself down
among the leaves, sat cooy gazing at him, without
explating bis rashnsss by having his brain deicatey
scooped by the bullet OF ;he hunters rife From
this infer that my ancestor in no little haste,
and anticipated some pleasure from the approaching
meeting.
When he reached tho place where he had parted
with his fair friend, he felt interest than he had
counted on; nay, certain feeling of tenderness pass
ed for the first time across his heart. He walked
rapidly along the margin Of the stream, and now he
saw the old twisted yellow birch that grew on the
mountain side, just above the house; and now th'
three stiff pines that stood just by it appeared; bu
they were strangely scOrched and backened, and I
smoke was eddying up through them into The blue
air. Ile ran up little mound whence the house
whould be in full view. 1t was no longer there! IL
- H.