The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-10-13

the shooting were the fields of
fame of Conrad, from his boyhood, and
before he had reached fifteen, he began to
complain that bears and deers were be-
coming scarce; and at about sixteen. his
father removed to a valley on the head of
Wheeling, near Ryerson's station. sAc-
companied by his faithful dog, several
nights would sometimes intervene. whilst
this daring young prowler would sleep in
the untenanted woods. His mother and
Susan had always much chding in re-
serve, which they always forgot between
the return of his dog and himself, for
Brawler always arrived first to announce
his master.
"On preparing for one of those expe-
ditions, Conrad seemed to linger more
than usual. He was uncommonly long
in preparing his rifle and other accoutre-
ments. He laughed, teazed Susan, and
vexed his mother; but, as he often told me,
an anxiety hung over him, he dreaded to
leave home. The whole family shared the
feeling, and knew not why. The habta-
tons were few, and far separated from
each other; but as Indian war had not, for
many years, reached those dells, no ap-
parent danger seemed to impend, and yet
the steady, firm, and every thing but su-
persttious mind of Fred Mayer shrunk
with dread Fred Mayer had been many
years a soldier, and felt ashamed of his
own fears, laughed at himself and Conrad,
and Conrad himself forced playful catch,
kissed his mother and Susan, and darted
off for the woods.
The lingering form was not yet lost, for
Conrad once or twice paused, and looked
back upon the parental cottage, when his
mother saw the ramrod of his rifle lying on
the breakfast table. She seized the rod
with an exclamation-she had time for no
more-the rod and the light-footed Susan
were gone on the footsteps of Conrad.
The young hunter had disappeared from
the cottage, and being at variance with
his own thoughts, now hurried in the op-
posite extreme, and extended his pace to
almost run. His speed was soon
checked as he heard his name anxiously
pronounced, and turning, saw the airy
form of Susan.
"You are fine hunter,' exclaimed the
painting girl, holding up the rod. Conrad
lowered his rifle hastily, saw his remissness,
and forcing gaiety he felt not, and pat
/ ting the flushed cheek of the messenger.
replied, "Poh! Susan, maybe left the
ramrod behind, to see if my sister would
think worth while to follow me with it."
Conrad" rather solemnly replied Su-
san, "do not call your poor little sister a
fool-but-but come home with me; do
not 60 hunting to-day
"Ha! ha! Sukey! 60 home because |
forgot my ramrod. Ha. ha."
Conrad, | never saw you linger and
turn back before" and the starting tear
stood in her timid eye.
This appeal was always effectual in
finding the heart of the otherwise wayward
hunter, and setting his rifle against tree,
he siezed the almost fainting girl in his
arms, exclaiming with the most pathetic
tone
""Susan, if you were indeed my sister,
ought to return; but my heart tells me you
are thousand sisters in one, and ought
not to fly to the farthest woods, for | am
only to thee brother!''
1t was the moment they had found that
there was feeling between them infinitely
more awakening, more anxious for each
other, than that of brother and sister; but
their looks spoke what their words dare not.
Susan gently extricating herself, ex-
claimed, my only brother; if | stand
here listening to such-I-I believe Imust
be'-and away she tripped, with sensations
in which delight of heart greatly prevailed;
and thus tripped to the summit of small
emlnence, when turning round, she saw
Conrad standing where she had left him.,
intently gazing after her. They waved
farewell and parted.
All that day did Conrad, with steady
steps and anxious feelings, wind his way
towards the Ohio. As the departing rays
of day were leaving the earth in gloom, he
reached the place where, in two days, his
father had appointed to meet him with
horses vj&
1t was late in autumn, the morning was
clear and bracing, and the limbs of Con-
rad invigorated by rest on new fallen
leaves, sailed forth, his rifle well poised
on his shoulder, and Brawler, well trained
marching behind his feet, with the watchful
eye and weary tread of tiger. Thus
prepared, Conrad was treading slowly a
long the mountain-like hills, when spying
deer at distance, he advanced with
hunter caution, until within reach. The
piece was pointed, and the unerring ball
sped through the heart Of the animal. But
the very moment when Conrad discharged
the rifle, another prowler Of the woods
j performed the same office, and the inno-
cent buck fell by double shot. Both
5hunter'sdogs preceded their masters, and
commenced a furious battle over the prey,
which was rapidly followed by more Sc
rious contest between the two men. -
The passions of Conrad, always exces-
sively violent when reused, was raised to
| l. Il .