The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-05-07
Mary Rock.

The Rock family had cmigrated 10 the
very verge of wild Indian life, when the re-
cent war between the United States and
Mexico burst out, an event which, while A.
wakcning prospects of fierce struggles be-
tween the rival republics, aroused also the
hopes and passions of the swarthv Indian
tribes that people the frontiers Of the con.
tending powers. Certain predatory and
wandering habits, characteristic of this fam
lily, had driven Captain Rock from the easy
ncigbborhood of Dickenson's Bayou, and
from all others, one after another, until at
last he found himself far nearer ihan was
generally considered safe TO Spanish Peak
and It's troublesome tribes of Redskins. This
time the old man. his wife, SON and daughter
the other having remained with her hus-
band-had to build house, instead of ta>
king possession of one abandoned by former
proprietors. They chose the mouth of a
deep gully, and the verge of dense forest.
Their hut was, as usual, blocks of wood
rudely put together; and thcir energies had
this time gone so far as 10 induce the cult
walton of a small field of maize. This ex-
cepted, their whole existence depended on
hunting and fishing. Mary, who, it seems
had become more slim Than when | knew
her, was all the more ndefatigable in her
pursuit of the game afforded by the fertile
and happy plains of Upper Texas. She
and her brother were ceaseless in their en-
deavors to track deer, wild turkey and part
ridges and supported their family entirely.
The old couple did absolute nothing but eat,
drink, sleep and smoke. utterly iorgetIul of
their formor position in society.
a little while before the outbreak of the
late war, the Rocks became aware of the
presence of a neighbor A tall young Ken
tuckian, passionately fond of wild life, sud
denly located himself within a mile of their
abode, with a sturdy assistant from his own
land, four negro slaves, dozen horses. a
herd of cattle, and a wagon. He erected Il
solid frame-house, and called bis place Snow
ville-his name being given out as Captain
Snow. With peace and tranquility, his
farm would soon have been the centre Of
neghborhood, and ultimately the site of
town. But great pestlence, more desiruc-
tive than cholera or plague, was coming
Texas was the cause of terrible war.
As soon as Captain Snow had settled him
self, built his house, and set his fields going,
he thought it but right to pay a visit TO the
Rocks, despite the piratca character which
he had heard of them round about Calves
tom The chief things, however,which struck
him on the occasion of his visit. were the
wretchedness Of their abode, the wilful do
tage of the parents, the industry of the chill
dren, and the matured beauty of Mary. OF
frank and socable disposition, he made
friends with young Rock and very soon be-
came the inyariable companion of the broth
er and sister in their huntings and wander
ings The consequence was natural. Had
she not been the only female within hun
dred miles, Mary would have won the heart
of any youth not already enchaned by her
truth and sincerity. Captain
Snow in month was over head and ears
in love, and in two was the accepted lover of
Miss Rock. 1t was agreed on all sides that
Immediately after the maize harvest they
should freight boat with their various goods
and, going down to the settlements, be mar
ried.
The interval was chiefly spent in hunting,
fishing, boating, and riding, when tho vari-
GUS parties concerned were not engaged in
necessary avocaiions. Captain Snow heard
with bounding heart Of the war, but his