Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-05-11
\ Tbrillins 5ketfl).
M A r Y r O G K.
BY PERCY Z. ST. JOHN.

The Rock family had emigrated TO the
very verge of wild Indian life, when the
recent war between the United States and
Mexico burst out, an event which while
awakening prospects of fierce struggles bea
tween the rival republics, aroused also the
hopes and passions of the swarthy Indian
tribes that people the frontiers of the con-
tending powers. Certain predatory and
wandering habits already alluded to lin
previous story) as characteristic of this
family, had driven Captain Rock from the
easy neighborhood of Dickenson's Bayou,
and from all others, one after another, until
at last he found himself far nearer than was
generally considered safe to Spanish Peak
and its troublesome tribes of Redskins.
This time the old man, his wife, son and
daughter--the other having remained with
her husband-had to build house, instead
of taking possession of one abandoned by
former proprietors. They chose the mouth
of deep gulley, and the verge of dense
forest. Their hut was, as usual, blocks OF
wood rudely put together; and their ener-
gies had this time gone so far as to induce
the cultivation Of small field of maize
This excepted, their whole existence de-
pended on hunting and fishing. Mary,
who, it seems, had become more slim than
when knew her, was all the more inde-
fatigable in her pursuit of the game afforded
by the fertile and happy plains of Upper
Texas. She and her brother were ceaseless
in their endeavors to track deer, wild tur-
key, and partridges and supported their
family entirely. The old couple did abso-
lutey nothing but eat, drink, sleep and
smoke, utterly forgetful Of their former po-
sitlon in society.
A little while before the outbreak of the
late war, the Rocks became aware OF the
presence of neighbor. A tall young Ken
tuckian, passionately fond Of wild life,
suddenly located himself within a mile ot
their abode, with a sturdy assistant from
his own land, four negro slaves, dozen
horses, herd of cattle, and wagon. He
erected solid frame house, and called his
place Snowville-his name being given
out as Captain Snow. With peace and
tranquility, his farm would probably soon
have been the centre of neighborhood
and ultimately the site Of town. But q
great pestilence, more destructive than cho'
lera or plague, was coming: Texas wa:
the cause of terrible war.
As soon as Captain Snow had settled
himself, built his house, and set his fields
going, he thought it but right TO pay visit
to the Rocks, despite the piratical charac'
ter which he had heard fthem round about
Galveston. The chief things, however
which struck him on the occasion of hi
visit were the wretchedness Of their abode
the wiiful dotage Of the parents, the indus
try of the children, and the matured beauty
of Mary. OF a rank and sociable disposi'
tion, he made friends with young Rock
and very soon became the invariable com
panion of the brother and sister in thei
huntings and wanderings. The conse
quence was natural. Had she not been th'
only female within hundred miles, Mary
would have won the heart Of any you'll
not already enchained by her simplicity
truth, and sincerity. Captain Snow, in ;
month, was over head and ears in love, AM
in two was the accepted lover of Mis-
Rock. 1t was agreed on all sides that i'm
} mediately after the maize harvest the,
should freight boat with their variou
goods, and, going down to the settlements
be married.
The interval was chiefly spent In hunt
ing, fishing boating, and riding, when tn
various parties concerned were not engage
in necessary avocations. Captain Sno'
heard with bounding heart OF the war, br
his murderous propensities were who'll
quelled by the sight of Mary, whom h
! loved with all the ardor Of single-mindet
t honest and frank back.woodsman. Still
he could not divest himself of regret at ne
partaking OF the dangers of the expedition
: and to divert bis mind, proposed to the bro
: ther and sister weeks bunting in the bu
+ falo regions higher up the country. Bot
> frankly acquiesced, and one morning
dawn of day they started.