Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1847-03-25

And said, If there's peace 10 be iound IN M
world,
A hear, that was humble nigh, hope for it here
: THOMAS MOORE.
The greater Importance that has beer
attached to incidents of the revolution,
have somewhat obscured the no less i'm
porant events that preceded ii. Yet, II
was the skirmishes and struggles which
the colonies were obliged to encounter
with the Indians, together with the 'Frencf
war, that gave the founders Of our nation
that hardhood of frame and muscle o
iron that enabled them to brave the tolls,
brought Oh by injustice and oppression
and to achieve glorious independence
Here was the nursery ofthose distinguish
ed heroes, that won for themselves, dur
ing the revolution, so enduring name,
and one that will ever be remembered
with grateful alteration. We are apt to
forget when we look upon our present
prosperity, and at our future greatness
the price at which they were purchased
Partly with this view, the scene of the
following tale has been laid in the midst Of
those troubles, which, for a time, threat
ened the total destruction Of The colonies,
then Just striking their roots III the wilds
Of these transatlantic shores, the germ
of a mighty nation.
In the summer of 1855, near the up
per extremity Of Lake Champain, in a
small clearing amid the then almost
boundless forest, might have been seen a
loNly dwelling of one of the first pioneers
of that region. twas considerably IN
advance of the other settlements, and
several miles from any civilized habila-
ton, Upon small eminence, short
distance east of this solitary home, was
seated hardy hunter, little past the
meridian of life. His locks had begun
to whien, but with untimely sorrows.-
His vlsage, though meek and mild, was
somewhat detected aud sorrow(ul. His
carriage, when standing, was erect and
manlike. His counlenance and limbs
showed HIM 10 stranger to those tolls and
haydships which everywhere faced the
first settlers of those times. His eve was
bent upon his daughter, who sat al his
Ieel, the only companion Of his solitude.
In her his hopes had ceniered, and, Inde-
ed, she was one on whom father ,nlght
place his deepest affection. Eighlee,.
summers had just stamped their sunny
impress upon her brow. Her hair richly
mantIcd her neck and shoulders, as dark
and glossy as ravens wing The out
lines other form were rotund and grace
full. Her steps were as elastic as the
sprighlIy fawn that bounded through the
woody glen. The las, lingering beams oil
fhe orb of day were just relrealng up the
eastern Kills, and shedding around their
tops glow of his departing glory. Upon
the north, just visible through the tree
tops. lay the narrow, mirrored lake,
stretching out to The dim horizon, placid,
without breeze to rullle its ,ranqrIl wa
tcrs. The south seemed one unbroken
forest, as far as the eye could scan, while,
far in The west, the waters Of Lake George
sparkled and flashed under the purple
spIendor of the evening sky, and seemed
like grand palace into which the king of
day had just retired with all his shining
magniliceuce. The father and daughter
were gazing upon the scene in joyful
admiration. Though far removed from
the halls OF elegance and refinement, yet
they were ardent admirers Of natures
beauties, and grateful adorers of her God
They watched in,en,ly the glowing scene,
until its spendor had begun to fade, when
the daughter, casting an anxious eye a.
round, as if her ear had caught some dis
'ant sound, listened moment, as if to
hear it repeated
i wonder, father she exclaimed, at
length, that HARDWOOD tarries. Ills
already some hours since the time lis
messenger SAID he might be expected
BE not impatient, my daughter, re-
turned the f'ther, these winding lorcs,
paths have puzzled older heads than his,
though moi delayed more eager hearts,
perhaps
i fear she returned, some evil has
belalen him; or, may be, this savage
chief has crossed his path.
Would that he had, exclaimed the
hunter. Then the sword OF the youth
could easily lay open to view the dark
heart oflhis savage. No, no; Charles
HARDWOOD is not one TO be stopped or de-
layed by any Indian that stands between
him and his beloved
This last retort pun to silence the fears
Of The maiden, and caused the rich blood
to mount TO her cheek.
But see see! father she in moment
exclaimed, pointing TO the foot of the hill
beyond their home, where huge stag
had just sprung from the bushes, and was
bounding to the right, towards the lake,
as lterriied al so uncommon sight as
a human habilaliom The hunter now
snatched his rifle and sped away after the
flying deer The maiden watched him
until the distan, trees hid him from her
sight, and then took the path homeward,
TO prepare for his return. Once she thought
the leaves rus,led and bushes moved
by the side OF her path; but as nothing ap-
peared, she passed it by unoticed. The
hunter, meanwhile, cautiously pursued
bis fleeing game, until he saw him stop a
short distance in advance, upon the mar.