The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-09-23

The waste was cleared ana lnrlHer sun around
The white mans rude-bui!t home was found.
From "PEGEPsGor."
The tide OF savage war
Rolled DER New Englnnd's hills nfor-
And smoking ruins DER the plain were cast
Where 'cr the blood hound savages had passed.
The captive maiden from her home was torn
And to the wilds Of Indian huunts was borne
To lingcr there in pain, or tortured die
Beneath the tendish glance Of savage eye! lb
The time ofour story runs far back into the
early history Of our country. In 1857 there
were but two or three families in the now
thriving town of North Yarmouth At that
period danger and death stalked through all
our eastern settlements. Driven by the fears
1fthe Indians, The few settlers in North Var
mouth removed for security TO Lynn, Massu-
chusetts, in 1858. Our story, however,com-
mences at n later period, when peace smiled
upon the infant settlement ofthis new reg
ion.
The growth ofour early towns was exceed
ingly SLOW They crept along ut u snui's
pace compared with the rapid improvements
Ofmoderu times, when large and furnishing
cities spring up as if by magic-when the
solitude of the wilderness to-day is broken
up Tomorrow forever by the hum and din
ofa crowded and thriving opuation-wheu
the heavy blow Of the axe, us it burcs itself
into the heart of the lofty tree, is drowned by
the sharp ring of the mnson's Towel, as he
piles up the substantial and stately edifice on
the site of some monarch Of The forest.
The settlement Of Nortl, Yarmouth in 1870
consisted of only few log huts, at irregular
intervals, nearly buried in The dense wilder
ness of trees, which, like giants, threw their
broad shadows over the earth. The early
settlers ofNurth Yarmouth were n hardy race
Of men, well Injured TO the tolls attending the
life of the pioneers of II new country. With
Incredlble labor they had ieled the forest u
Wound them, cultivated the reluctant soil, and
were now IN the enjoyment Of the reward of
their industry. Unwonted success had crown
ed their efforts. Ernigruuls from Mussnchu-
sets, aud linked together like II band of broth.
ers, by mutual assistance they had changed
the sterile Wilderness into compautiycly
fruitful garden.
The harvest ofthe year in which orr story
commences had been uncommonly fruitful:
the bOuntifu stores of Nature had been gath
cred in, and umveXcd by the disqnetudes of
more refined and crowded population. the
inhabitants of this remote spot looked for
ward 20 the approaching winterns seusUu
ofpeNce aud happy reposn. Nothing Ind
occurred to disturb or arouse their tears.--
they had indeed, heard of the aggressions
of the red uan in distant seltlcmeuts--of
bIOodshcd aud savage cruelly-but MS year
after year passed away, and prosperity con-
tinued to smile upon them. they dismissed
all alarm, and rested in undunbted security.
Trusting with confidence in that Providence,
that had constantly watched over and bless
ed them, they looked forward to life of
tranquility.
The afternoon ofthc duy,in which we would
introduce the render To more particular nc
quainance of some of the settlement, had
been gloomy, and by nightfal the cold storm
ragged violently. The night was exceeding
ly dark-the winds moaied with dismal
lone through the forest, and the duh beat Of
the distant sea added to the drcariness of the
scene. But If all without spoke Of gloom
and desolution, the bright gleuuls that shot
from the windows Of the rude and scattered
nuts Of the settlement told of comfort aud
cheer within.
Remote from the rest, and deep in the
clearing, ut the very edge of the dark forest
, that still held dominion over the SOIL was n
newly erected log house the bright rays from
whose window opened long pathway of
light in the murkv air Seated around the
ample fireplace, the inmates enjoyed the
coiuiorts Of the blazing and cracking pile
.loubiy enhanced by the contrast of the scene
without. The little circle consisted ola faith
,er, mother and three children, the youngest
of whom was bright little girl of two or
spoke untnintcd health. 1t was delightful
picture of domestic felicity. The strong mnn
brown with toll aud exposure, fondling the
laughing, psatiing girl on his knee, the quiet
mother. with IL countenance glowing with
satisfaction, now aiding her older daughter
IN her first essay at knitting-pcking up IL
stitch here and turning seam there and
then giving her attention to II still older son,
who was coming lesson to which were de-
tod, fIan mann - IL. ~
quiring mind. ....
The evening wore on-ight after lieht
from the different huts misrepresentation sill
fhe bright rays streamed from the rcplenish-
ed hearth of Mr. Greedy, who sat, unheedfIl
of the time, conversng with his wife about
their pnst and present situation, congratulate
lug themselves on the cheering prospects held
out TO their children,when,i in after years, their
infant settlement should have grown in
wealth and importance. The protractetl
conversation at last drew to a close, and the
evening devotions had been performed with
simple fervor by the paternal head, when a
cracking was heard among the fallen limbs
in front the house, g. heavy footsteps plain
~ distinguished. The inmates stood listen
ing with GREATNESS attention to the unexpeci-
ed sounds. Whence could they proceed?--
Was it n wild animal prowling about their
dwelling? Was it IL neighbor seeking assis-
tance? These thoughts passed rapidly thro'
Iheir minds. The sounds continued the
footsteps approaclied--tbe door was sudden
~ aud unceremoniousIy thrown open. and a
stout Indian staggered into the room. -.. ..
An exclamation of surprise, not unmng.
led with apprehension, escaped from the eld-
ers, while Il cry of terror burst from the chill
aren at this unlocked for intrusion. Mr. Gree
,Wescustogo was the original name of the
Petiemeptnear Portland, Me.