The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-03-20


it but an imperfect action. His life had been
10 nm like that uneven, rugged surface upon
which he was gazing. He had been raised
10 heaven by hope, and then dashed down to
earth by dispair And now,whilc he ia look
ing nj tho mountain scenery, we will give the
reader some history Ofhis past life, of who he
IS and what is his object in trayersing alone
the wllds otthe Indian country.
His name, which ofcourse must he made
known first, was Everett Dustun. lie was II
native Of Philadelphia. and the son orn weaI-
thy merchant A year before he had visited
ST. Louis, on business for his father,
and became ennmourcd with the beautiful
! daughter of rich and influential fur dealer.
! The passion was mutual, and the parents
! nothing lonth. Their meetings were frequent,
aud 10y the consent ofall parties, in this cnsc,
'the course oftrue love" promised TO "fun
smootb' But not so; they were too fast in
their conc lusions.
There lived in ST. Louis French gentle
man by the name fLacy, in very aflluent cir
cumstances, who had also been smittcn by the
charms of lola, for such was her numc, and
before our hero made his appearance, had Of
iered himself and met with n rulIsa This
was what he had not expected, ami ii was cX-
cruciatingIy Notifying to his pride. lie be-
lleved himselfa suitable, nay more, Il deSira-
b'e match for any young lady, and was ut Il
loss TO account for her want of dscernmcnt
When Dustan made his appearance and won
The PRIZE he coveted, the mistress, ms he be-
IleVed, oths heart, the darker elements ofhis
nature were aroused to action. lie deter
mined upon summary revenge. lie sought
and obtained an introduction TO the favored
sultor, and soon apparently was on the best
OF terms with him. BY IN insnuating nd
dress and professions of friendship, he gain
ed the confidence of Dustan, who spoke free
~ and often Of his approaching happiness in
nm union with lola Laffrers.
The latter though she treated him with polite
ness, regarded all his movements with srls-
picion. She was better acquainted with the
periidy ofhjs character and utter ftithlcssncss.
AT length the time arrived for Dustau to re-
turn to Philadelphia. He took tender fare
well oihis aiiianced, with the promise of re-
turning as soon us possible to hasten their
coming felicity.
"Denr loa," he said, us he strained her TO
his bosom, "lic otmy life shall soon clasp
you again in my arms, and we will never part
again
"llcavcn grant it, but fear we shall never
meet"
Can you doubt me, lola? Doubt me?"
'No Everett, do not doubt your love; but
that something will transpire to prevent your
return or our union"
cease, trembcr, cease to fear. The evils
you dread are merely imaginary; not phro-
phctic ioreshadowing ofcomng events"
'Be it So"
From what quarter, my love do you APP
preliend danger"
81 hardly know, but that man, Lacy like
him not"
"Ah, my dear-is that all? Then You may
make yourself perfectly easy. lie is my par
ucuar friend"
"Oh 10, he is not your ficnd"-sho added
with energy. ale is not capable Of friend
ship"
"Iou do him injustice, fear. lie will, at
my request, call on you frequently during my
absence"
"Dear Everett, how could you desire him
to visit me?"
81 knew not he was disagrceable to you.-
Believe me, would not. had known his
Pardon me LOLA
a few hours after this conversation, Dun
stan was on his way to Philadelphia. Weeks
passed away and Lncy was frequently at Lnt- !
irets, but had never succeeded in breaking
through that reserve with which he was treat
ed by lola. lie resolved upon more effective |.
measures. An excursion was proposed up
Louis. The arrangements were made, and |
lola with a brother and sister, were TO be of |
the party. 1t was beautiful morning when
the company stepped into the barges that
were to bear them up the river. They were
attended by Canadian voyageurs.
They landed near the mouth ofthe Mssou-
ri, Just above the ST. Charles. where the banks
of the noble stream were overhung by thick
growth trees. They gradually separated
INTO groups, snuntering leisurely here and
there IN search of amusement. The hours
iew rapidly away. The time oftheir return
home approached. They assembled upon
he shore, ready to step into the burgcs; but
)ne ofthe party was missing. 1t was lola
The gentlemen ofthe company commenced
| search. They ranged the woods for miles
about them; they discharged their pieces;they
shouted, but all in vain. The night came on
md they were obliged to return without her.
III but the brother. who perierred to remain
md continue the search.
Conjecture and rumor were alive concern s
ng her fate. Some believed she had been
pirtod away by the Indians. Others that
he had lost her way in the woods while
here were some teW who suspected that La
y had exercised some agency in her disap- i
'earance. The next day the hunters turned I
'ut en- alGSSe in search ofIola. Their efforts
we're truitless. They returned at nightIall,
me by one disappointed and weary, with 4
tut making auy discoveries in relation to her y
ate. But there was one who came MOTT I
vas Lacy, and the suspicious of the friends |
md relatives of the missing one naturally fell i
N him. 1t was also remarked that two Can v
dian Voyageurs disappeared mysteriously f
pon the morning ofthe day on which the II
arty came off. All these things served to Il
onfrm them in the beliefthat Lacy the re- b
scted sui:or, was at the bottom of the affair, d