Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-01-22
VOLUME l3--..NUMBER Is.

ting all in her power towards alleyating the suf.
icrings Of poor fellow mortal. She volunteer.
ed her services cheerlully to actthepau Of nurse
to the patient. She leIt a rational pleasure in
supplying the invalid with every lilJe comfort
which his situation required. Under her soOth.
ing minls,ration Elliot regained his health.
| The youth now often spoke Of continuing his
journey TO Kentucky. Day after day. however,
passed by, and he still remained at Wheeling
In sParscly populated regions strong attachments
are quickly formed The manly gearing Of e.
liot had rendered him lavorite among all the set.
tiers, and they strongly urged him to abandon
his original intention. and remain where he was
To this proposition he declared he could not ac.
cede; but when the image of Rose Mason pre-
sened itself before his minds eye, he was near
/ ly tempted to recall his words.
Since the arrival of Frazier, new feeling had
found its way nio Roses heart; feeling which
she was unable to explain. When he spoke to
her about his expected departure, shade of mel
ancholy would ovcrspread her countenance and
Danish completely the bright smile that usually
dwetuponit. There was no dissimuation in the
maiden; she felt that his absence would cause her
to be unhappy, and she took no pains to conceal
thesorrow with which she contemplated the event.
! "EIIiot," said she, one day, "you must agree
to remain with us. We cannot spare you"
at will never do!' exclaimed the youth, 81
have been iding my time here too long already;
and I'll Jump aboard the first boat that passes
down the river"
1--WE will feel very unhappy when you are
gone"
"Not more so than Twill, Rose," replied Elliot
"The happiest days of my life," he continued,
"were those of my recent sickness. If it were
not wicked could almost pray for another OPP
portunity to have you for my ministering angel"
"Elliot!"
"Forgive me, Rose. feel deep sense of
gratitude for your kind attentions, and know not
how to express it."
81 am going toShort Creek, tomorrow, to visit
a friend" said Rose, "and youmustgo with me"
at is hard to refuse you," replied Elliot; "but
may miss an opportunity of descending the riv-
erif | go with you. The water is up now, and
boats may be expected tomorrow"
81 will not excuse you," said Rose. day or
a week is of no consequence to you. If you
miss the first boat, you can wait for another"
"True; but"
81 will listen TO no more objections" Interrupt
ted the maiden; 'you must be my companion TO
Short Creek tomorrow"
Sand why not for life?" asked Elliot.
No reply was made to this question. Rose
had not anticipated such an interrogatory; nor
did its full meaning, at first flash upon her mind.
!. But when It's true sense became apparent to her,
a thrill went to her heart, and deep blush suf1u-
scd her cheek. She spoke in an altered tone,
without raising her head which she had unwit-
tingly cast down.
HNoI will no With ,,,o7S soi1 che
"Most surely, dear Rose" replied Elliot, who
was delighted to find that he had not offended her
by the abrupmeSs of his words. 81 can refuse
and 60 by fleets, for all that care"
81 will depend upon you," said the maiden as
she left him; for Roses mind was filled with such
strange ideas that she was glad to seek solitude.
Soon after the sun had risen on the following
day, Elliot Frazier was before the door busted in
cleaning his rifle. Lewis Wetzo just then ap-
preached him from the direction of the high hill
in the rear of the fort.
"What's to be done to-day, Ellit?" inquired
the hunter, as he came up to the youth and low
cred his gun to his feet.
81 am going to Short Creek with Miss Mason"
said Elliot. Il shall take my gun along, and if |
can only get glance at bucks tail I'll bring it
home as a trophy of my skill in rifle shooting"
"If you see dear, Elit," saidthe scout, laugh
ing, "you'll be sure to get the buck fever"
"Never fear!" replied the youth.
"Sch things always happen to green hands" B"
said Wetzel, "but you'll get over the fever by
and-by. That rifle of yourn ant exactly TO my
liking" he continued and here he took the rich
ly mounted rifle of the young man and deIiber-
ately examined it in all its parts. Sits too light
entirely; and as for these silver iXin's they alnt
Of any manner of use."
"They will not tprevent it shooting WE'LL" said
Elliot.
"No! nor neither they won't" reoined Wet
eel; an be skinned if I'd have 'em on a gun of
mine Now, here's my old woman, Ellit," add
ed the hunter, as he raised his weather beaten ri
file from the ground; "an uger old rip you new
er laid your eyes on; but, then there's no mis-
take in her. She always tells. Many's the red
skin she's sent to his long home."
sit valuable piece, without doubt" said the
youth. ..
"The red dogs think so, any how" returned
Wetzel
"lsuppose you are almost out Of practice in
killing them!"
"Well, may say you are about half right, FL
lit. haint had glimpse of one since last fall.
I've got strong notion to put down to Kantucll
with you. They say they are not scarce there
abouts; but can't agree to leave these settlements
until | finish that cursed rascal, Old Cross-Fire.
The scamp has banked me so often, that have
sworn vengeance on him. | know he's still
sneaEing about these quarters because | come
across some sign of him every now and then.
was out all last night and the night afore, in
search Of the old dog"
"You do not imagine" asked Elliot, "that he
is lurking about here now, do you!"
"That's exactly what think" said Wetzel.
He will not dare molest us, Lews!"
81 would not trust him."
(T bo, {. Gil n