The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-04-30
ONISKA.
A TALE OF THE PAwTUCKETTs.

BY MRS. CASE.
mrs. CASE the authoress of the following written
tale is the wife of ELIrHALET CASE, Esq, editor of the
Cincinnati Enquirer. She has few superors in the de-
partmen of literature which she occupies among the e
male literati of our countryl
A short distance below the Pawtuckett
falls, the Concord river, running along from
the south, pours its dark waters into the cur
rent Of its mightier rival, the clear and beau
tiful Merimack. Ii is still a delightful spot,
though its wild charms have fled, and the
leaves of its scattering trees tremble TO the
din of machinery, and the light dash of the
Indians oar has given place TO the busy noise
Of the looms and workshops of city,
Even now, bend in the shore, just below
the confluence of the rivers, with few PAGES
of the stir of active life, reveals walks of
such secluded stiffness, that the mind i'll
voluntarily reveris to those days when the
Indian uod them in the freedom of his stern
ssigniory, the rightfu lord of an uadisputed
domesne.
Two hundred7years ago, the favorite vii
lage of the Pawtucketts, was situated at The
foot of The falls. The land east and west
of the Concord river, called Wamesit, be-
longing TO them. Somewhat later the "Apos-
tls Elliot" gathered little hamlet of"pray-
ing Ind ians" on the western shore of the
junction of the rivers, and all the land TO the
west, between the Concord and the falls at
Pawtuckett, was grant 10 the sole use Of
the Chrstaniscd Indians. Through the la
bors of the humble missionary, the voice OF
PRAYER went up among the pines of Wamest,
as sincere and acceptable to Heaven, as
from marble cathedrals; andif among those
shades, one soul had eaten of the bread of
life, then was that lonely messenger of the
cross more efficient in the work than many
who minister at alters decked with gold, and
distribute the Eucharist from vessels Of costly
workmanship.
Opposite the hamlet of Wamest on the
eastern bank of Concord river, stood lone
ly wigwam. 1t belonged to the hamlet, and
a well trodden path wound down the steep,
from the hut to canoe lying moored among
the trees There were signs of more taste
about it than usually belong TO Indian dwell
lings. The wild flowers of the forest had
been trained along each side of the path. A
grapevine clambered over the entrance, and
hung in graceful drapery from the reof; and
the trees around had been shorn of their
natural luxuriance that something like a
prospect might be opened to the inhabitants.
II was the close of July afternoon. A
young Indian woman sat before the open
door, sheltered from the descending sun by
the foliage of the archng boughs. She was
weaving basket A bright-eyed boy of
some two or three years was playing on the
grass beside her. He had the same black,
lustrous eye, but softer bloom was on his
cheek, and his full European forehead was
very fair, where It was not covered with dark
auburn curls. A young man in a hunting
dress Joined them, but soon passed on, and
depositing his hunting impleme nts within
the doorway of the cabin, returned and
played with the pleased boy. The woman,
with the submissive character Of an Indian
wife, yentured no conversation until he had
first spoken to her, and continued her &C.
cupation; but the expression of her face
manifested the lively interest she took in
the boy and his father.
A fashionably dressed young man ap-
preached unseen by the happy group. He
gazed at them searchingly for a few minutes,
then exclaimed,
"Ha! Harry Sydney! So l have found
you at last, after wearying myself almost 10
death in looking for youH'
Sydney started from the arms of the play
full boy, and beheld his old friend Frank
Wes,alI.
"Where did you come from Frank!-
When were you from home, and what news?
Come in, have thousand questions TO
ask"
"No, come with me, Harry" said Westall,
taking Sydney, by the arm, and drawing him
away into the grove, come with me, have
aihoussni things to say" ~