The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-04-09

and warn Janet OF her danger; according
ly | pushed forward with my thoughts full
of the trapper's daughter, and thankful fo
! my escape from the power Of villains.
TO tell the truth, the rude description
which Vanburton had given, filled me with
curiosity to see such prodigy of beauty
in the wilderness.
Whether travelled onward, or whethe,
| stopped to take hurried repast, OF
snatch a moments rest, my mind was full
of Janet; and my sole anxiety was to
reach the Pawnec village before the voya
gears, in order to buftle their infamous pur
poses.
The following day fortunately fell in
with Pawnee brave, who willingly under
took to guide me to the encampment o.
his people.
Arrived there, it was easy 10 find the
lodge ofold Wilet, the trapper.
81 am the bearer Of government papers
to Fort Laramie" said, "and have call
ed TO receive your hospitality for a day OF
two"
81 give you trapper's welcome" he
replied, "and though it be not polished, it
is nevertheless true and hearty. This is
my wife, and yonder you see my daugh.
ter"
My eyes instantly turnedin the direction
indicated, and rested upon young crea-
ture of such exquisite beauty that | was
dumb with surprise. Her features were
indeed beautiful, and her figure divine,
The hair was as redundant, as dark,
and as long as Vanbur!on had represented
it. llereye were lighted up with supernal
brightness. She approached US, and her
motions were characterized with that Pc
culiar ease and graceIulness which nature
alone can teach.
"Thank Heaven that | have hastened
hither'" | exclaimed, as the fair girl return
ed my greetings with timid blush.
"And for what reason?" asked the trap
per, with some surprise at my vehemancc.
II will tell you" replied, and | nara.
ted what the reader already knows.
During the rehersal the females grew
pale with fear, and the face Of Wilet grew
dark with passion.
81 know them both. and from this mo.
ment they are doomed men," he said, with
an emphasis | shall long remember.--
"Those Williams have merited death thou.
sand times. Let them come to make des.
olate my home, and see what will follow
Poor Janet! my heart would break to be
riled OF her in such manner! We can
spare everything bu. Janet!'
"Generous stranger!" cried the trapper's
daughter sinking gracefully upon her knees
"accept my warmest thanks for the inter.
est you have taken in the fortunes of
poor. young girl, wholly unknown to you.
With these hands Iwould toll all the days of
my life to repay you, but | have nothing
but grateful words to give you"
"And | need no more, fair Janet" re.
piled, deeply moved at such touching
expression Of gratitude.
lsoon felt myself no stranger in the trap.
per's lodge. Days glided on; but | had
no disposition to leave my new friends.
The interest which had felt for Janet
ripened into friendship, and friendship fl
nally ripened into love. sat hour after
hour by her side. telling her of the ways
and wisdom Of the great world she had
never seen. We took long walks together.
and in the secusion of the forest, forgot all !
but ourselves.
One day, during one of our nocturnal
rambles, | unwttingly left her side for a
A shrek, loud and piercing,
warned me Of my imprudence. ran to-
ward the spot where | had left her, and be-
leld a strong man bearing her away in his
arms. A second look was enough to as.
sure me that Vanburton was the man with
whom had now 10 deal. Absorbed in
ny new passion, and charmed by the soci-
,ty Of its object, had forgotten the dan.
ger that hung over US. raised my rifle
o fire, but the fear of harming Janet made
ne hesitate, pause, and lower my piece.
essayed second time with similar re.
'ult. and was bracing up my nerves for
deliberate aim, when the sharp crack Of
life reverberated through the woods.
heard heavy, deathlike groan; Van
burton dropped his precious burden, and
ell. The next moment the old trapper .
from the cover ofsome sycamores, =
win Inc smoke still curling from the bar :
el OF his rifle. s.
81 told you he was doomed man." he
nutrered, with fierce scowl. "He will y
lever again make an old man childless" ,
ran and raised Janet from the ground, T.
md as held her in my arms, Vanburton 4,
aised his glazing eyes, recognized me, :
md an expression Of bitter hatred passed =
ver features already rigid with the cold !
ess of death. His purple lips moved, a
attling sound came from his throat, and !
hat was the last OF the uoyageur.
X
After | had delivered my papers safely
t Fort Laramie, | returned to the trapper's
odge. =
One evening. just as the bright sun was !
citing in a blaze -of glory, ldrew Janet to 1
ny side, told her how much loved her, b
nd entreated her 10 give me legal right q
D protect her through life. The fairest of q