Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-08-09
M | S C e L LA N Y.


The following beautiful story is literally true
and was first published in a lecture delivered by
William Tracy, Esq, of Utica, the early histo-
ry of Oneida county
One of the first settlers in Western New York
was Judge W, who established himself at
Whtestown, about four miles from Utica He
brought his family with him, among whom was
widowed daughter with an only chd-a fine bow
about four years old. You will recollect the coun-
try around was unbroken forest, and this was
the domain of the savage tribes.
Judge W saw the necessity of keeping on
good terms with the Indians, for as he was nearly
alone, he was completely at their mercy. Accord
ingly he took every opportunity to assure them of
his kindly feeling, and 10 secure their good will in
| return. Several chiefs came to see him, and all
appeared pacific. But there was one thing that
troubled him; an aged chief of the Oneida tribe,
and of great influence, who resided at the distance
Of dozen miles, had not yet been TO see him, nor
could he ascertain the views and feelings of the
sachem in respect TO this settlement in that region
At last he sent message, and the answer was that
| the chief would visit him on The morrow!
| True to his appointment, the sachem came !;
Judge W received him with marks of respect
and introduced his wife, his daughter and little
boy. The interview that followed was interesting
Upon IFS result the Judge was convinced his secu-
rity might depend, and he was therefore exceed
ingly anxious to make a favorable impression upon
the distinguished chief He expressed his desire
to settle in this county TO live on terms Of amity
| and good fellowship with the Indians, and to be
useful to them by introducing among them the arts
of civilization.
| The chief heard him out and then said :-"Bro-
Their, you ask much and you promise much, what
pledge you give OF your faith The white
mans word may be good to the white man. yet it
is wind when spoken to the Indian"
81 have put my life in your hands, said the
Judge, sis not that evidence Of my good nten-
ton 2 have placed confidence in the Indian and
will not believe that he will abuse or belray the
| trust that is thus reposed."
$50 much is well,' replied the chief, ''the In
dian will repay confidence with confidence, if you
will trust, he will trust you. Let this boy 90 with
me to my wigwam-I will bring him back in three
days with an answer ~
| If an arrow had pierced the bosom OF the mother
she could not have felt deeper paDg than went to
her heart, as the Indian made this proposal She
spraOg forward, and running to the boy, who stood
at the side of the sachem looking into his face with
pleased wonder and admiration, she encircled him
in her arms, and pressing him to her bosom, was
bout to fly from the room. A gloomy and oninous
frown came over the sachem's brow but he cid not
speak.
But not so with Judge W he knew that
the success Of the enterprise The lives of his mi-
| ly, depended on the decision Of moment
"Stay, stay, my daughter he said, ''bring bacl,
the boy, beseech you. He is not more TO you
than TO me- | would moi risk hair of his head -
But, my child, he must go with the chief God
will watch over him He will be as safe in the
sachem's wigwam, as beneath our own roof"
The agonzing mother hestated for moment
she then slowly returned, placed the boy on the
knee of the chief, and kneeling at his feet, burst
into flood tears. The gloom passed from The sa-
chem's brow, but he said not word lie arose
and departed.
| shall not attempt to describe the agony Of the
mother for the ensuing three days. She was agi-
tated by contending hopes and fears. 10 the night
she awokc from her sleep, seeming TO hear the
screams of the child calling its mother for help
But the time wore slowly away--and the third day
came. How slowly did the hours pass. The
morning waned away, noon arrived, yet they came
not. There was gloom over the whole house
| hold. The mother was pale and silent, Judge w
walked the floor TO and fro, going every few min
utes to the door, and looking through the opening
| in the forest towards the sachems abode.
| AS the last rays Of the setting sun were thrown
upon the tops of the trees around the eagle feathers