The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-04-26
From the American Union
THE DEAD SHOT.
A Story Of Pioneer Life.
RYLucY LINMoop.

| of CAV hues decked the woods, but the at
mosphere was raw and chilly, except at
noon-day; and yet the lover OF nature who
CHANGED to be abroad, might readily find
enough of the beautiful to while away an
hour in raptures, in gazing at the fading,
but still gorgeous loveliness of the scene
where our sketch opens.
1t was in the year 1910, before any
settlement of consequence had been made
in Ohio, that family went from New
York State, to reside upon a branch of the
Great Miami; it consisted of the parents
and two children, a son and daughter
the eldest fifteen, the other numbering less
than half a score of years of age. The
land they selected, was wild but lovely
spot in the Valley, and but few weeks
elapsed after their arrival, ere small but
comfortable log hut had been erected, be-
y hshe shadow of the forests edge; and
kvsE pay very soon cleared, a respect
able patch about him, which he had sown
with spring grain.
The region was a romantic vale, and
far down TO the southwark, the River flow
ed by in majestic silence. The spot had
been well chosen by Roger for Agricultu
there scarcely week, ere they found that
| the neighborhood was often visited by wild
beasts-for several sheep had been des-
troyed in the night and the howl of the
wolf had been repeatedly heard at a dis
tance, in the lonely evenings. The near
est neighbor of the emigrant was one Far
mer Holland, an eastern man also where
! Grey's family had remained during the e.
recGon of their cabin, and his house was
full a mile distant, to the westward.
Mr.. Holland had but one child-a son,
some twenty years Of age, who had been
brought up literally sin the woods, buta bra
yer heartor kinder disposition than tn at of
young Wallace, could not be found in the
State. His father was one of the original
Fbuckeye' pioneers, and Wallace had seen
and encountered all the rude treatment and
everyday hardships incident to a 20 years.
residence in the back woods.
But his arm was practised one, he
had met the wiley red man in hostility,
and conquered him-he had grappled with
the fiery wolf and the huge bear of that
region, and destroyed them--he had been
accustomed to danger and peril, and toll,
from his iniancy-and he was well ac-
quainted with the turmoils and troubles of
a life in the West. His old rife and his
dog were his constant companions and
Wallace never venured into the forest
without one or both Of them The stay
| of Fanny Grey at the cabin of his father,
though brief, had a queer effect upon Wal
lace. lie had very rarely met with 1c0-
nG1, in that lonely country, and though
he could not account for il after she left
the humble dwelling which had sheltered
them, temporarily, he had strange and
! longing desire 10 visit her fathers cabin.
There was daily something he could
do for old Mr.. Grey, some advice he could
give, some handy work he could perform,
some help he could render to the novice
in the woods, which he deemed would be
acceptable to her father; and at almostany
time, for weeks, you might have found
Wallace at Mr. Greys' settlement. He
met Fanny there, he showed her a thou
sand novelties which she never dreamed
of in the vicinity, he played with her broth
er Frank-whom she dearly loyed-in
short, he found occasion to pass a great
deal Of time at Mr.. Grey's where he per-
formed many good Office for the father,
while he enjoyed rapturous pleasure in
the society OF his pretty and ahectionate
daughter.
4 On q bright afternoon, it had been their
Icustom ottentimes to wander away togeth-
er in the woods, or to the magin of the
River. Fanny was dear lover of the
Picturesque, and in the towering forests
by the rim of the gentle stream-abroad
upon the hillocks-she constantly found
some new feature, same brighter spot in
nature than she had hitherto seen, to re-
ward her search, and crafty he fondness
for the sublime or beautiful, until at last,
familiar with the neigborhood, she could
saunter away alone, or in company only
with her little brother-though she had
ibeen cautioned never to leave the cabin
out Of sight, in her ramblings.
But autumn came. Eight months had
elapsed since Roger Grey came to reside
/ in the spot where he had ROW located HIM
/ self, and as the day was fine, Fanny ven
tured forth rather later in the heafternoonahan
was her wont, and with her brother cling
ing upon her arm, she trotted away toward
small hill, some quarter of mile dis
tant, fayorlte haunt of hers, latterlv, and
quite within the bound of her parents re-
strictions-for from its summit, which she
| Frequently climbed, she could always see
the smoke which curled from the chimney
of her fathers hut. With light step and
merry heart, she fastened to the wood
close by, and in few minutes the children
were out of sight.
Scarcely had they DISAPPEARED when
/ VII Il L.