Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-05-09

lately left, Of the many friends she had bid
den adieu, and how with her dear father and
mother, her brothers and little sister she
dwclt in the bosom of the forest, but few
miles distant. The wild creature clapped
her hands for Joy and danced about the little
room, till the voices of her visitors mingled
with her own merry-iaueh and smile of glad.
ness dimpled the pale cheek Of her pensive
mother. She was rejoiced that companion
SO gentle and kind had been found for her
idol child; for since her young heart first
throbbed with its gushing tenderness she had
had none but her mother 10 love though her
yearning pure spirit went out toward ell that
was bright and glad in nature.
The birds were her friends, and she had
listened hours together TO their merry carols
till her own tones had caught the echo and
she sang as gayly as they. She loved to listen
to the rustling of the forest leaves when the
evening winds whispered among them and
they breathed forth their pensive sounds and
then a strange sadness would creep into her
spirit, and she would gaze with her large
earnest eyes up into the starry heavens, aud
wonder what the sparkling tiny gems could
be scattered SO lavishngly over the blue ex-
panse. 1t was at such times that the low
tones Of her gentle mother had fallen sooth-
ingly upon her heart as she told of the Spirit
land and of the angel guardians who hover
about the pathway of mortals to guide them
in the way to Heaven. -
An hour passed by. The strangers had
partaken of the simple meal spread by the
hands of their new friends, and the sun was
nearing the distant horizon; but still they
fingered. The wild light of Nora's dark eyes
had softened to an expression of calm and
fro mil hor lou
and tretnulous; but deeper feeling seemed
| to pervade the gentle bosom of her mother
Strange, pleasant thoughts had taken posses
sion of her soul and as she gazed into the
sweet voice of Ether Dunham and listened
TO her voice, the dreams Of early childhood
seemed haunting her again, and dim, sbad-
owy picture of happiness and misery fitted
before her. She had said but little, and her
eyes rarely left the fascinating face of her vis-
tor /; and sometimes when her low, mellow
laugh mingled with the glad strains from
Nora's full bosom, she would start to her feet
and look about her, then a rush of tumultuous
emotions almost sliled the heavy beating of
her heart, and she would bury her face in her
hands and try to collect the dim fancies
which wandered through her brain, and join
the broken chain of memory.
| 1t was evening, and the sun was quite
down, though his golden light flooded the
deep recesses of the surrounding forest, when
Oscar Dunham arose and turned from the
soft glance OF Nora's eyes. He walked to the
door, looked moment abroad, then turning,
said reluctantly: Come, Ether, we must start,
for it will be very late now before we reach
home, and mother will be so anxious You
know she is always thinking of lurking red
men, and fears that you may yet be taken
captive
Yes. brother, replied the fair girl, turning
from the eutwining arms OF her friend, but
you know the reason Of mothers anxiety on
that ground. She can never forget the dear
little sister they tore from her side long ago,
but am sure we need not fear now, and do
wan: to stay longer with Nora.
None noticed the deathly pallor which over.
spread the features OF the silent woman for
the dmness oftwlight was in the little room:
but when a stihed sob broke from her bosom
as she grasped Ether's arm and bent wildly
over her, they all looked up in wonder.
NorAscreamed in terror, and clung about
her form, but she needed her not. The white
lips at first moved without sound, and ihe
| rifed glrl; but the unearthly expression
passed away, beautiful smile beamed forth
in its stead. and she whispered, as she bent
her head down to the shoulder Of the sweet
child, and put her arms about her = .7
Sid you say the Indians lore her away
that the young sister of your blessed mother
was borne from her side captive? have
been dreaming ever since first looked upon
your dear face-aye, for many long years
have dreamed and slumbered on ; but am
awake now, see it all remember all. We
were down in the charming valley at play
she had twned wreath Of wild roses amid
the curls of my hair, and as she left me 10 go
around by the shore of the running stream
for white lily, they came and took me
away - .... Z ..-..
Your exclaimed Oscar and Ether, at a
breath; You! and are you indeed the dear
sister of our mother and is Nora our own
cousin? Oh, how glad, how happy!
1t was indeed happy moment. Tears
were in the eyes of ALL and Nora sobbed like
an infant upon her mothers bosom. The
| glad woman sat down in the rude doorway
and brushed the moisture from her smiling
eyes; and as the little group gathered about
her and raised their happy faces to hers, and
the heart of each seemed too full for utter
ance, she bowed her head again to her hands,
and the big, bright drops, fresh from her
spirits shrine, trickled through them, while
her whole frame shook with the weight of
pleasant and bitter thoughts that came gush-
| ing fiom memory's disturbed fountain.
She found words at last to tell them all
how she dwelt from tie time of her captivity
beneath the roof Of the great chief-how he
loved her as his own child, and how the
young chief smiled upon her. She told them
of the bitter tears she shed when thinking Of
the dear friends she had left, of her sleepess
nights and cheerless days, and how, as years
rolled on, she learned TO love the old chief
who was ever kind and good, and to regard
the young prince as brother.
Then she spoke of her unwilling marriage.
and told how tears had drenched her bridal
garb, how they bore her insensible from her
husbands arms, and took the crushed jewel
from her. hair; of weeks and months Of
wretchedness and pining from her early home
and then of returning calmness after the last
glimmering Of hope had died away in her
heart. Years rolled on, and her husband,
the powerful king Of warlike and bold tribe,
was killed in battle, his men taken captives,
| and their vast possessions fell into the hands
Of the white men; but she and the Young
Fawn-her darling Nora-had never been
molested they had lived in their wild home
alone and almost unknown, though she had
never ceased to mourn for the friends of her
| early life, nor 10 remember the low sweet
tones that fell upon her ear, and the gentle
loving glance that had so often met her gaze.
True, these remembrances have the shadowy
dimness of half-forgotten dream; but still
their light had ever been with her, brighten
ing her pathway through life and filling her
lone hear. with sad and delicious emotions.
.s.lt - h. frno oS,fE ftor