Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-08-14
MltstelIaneolls.
An American Tradition.
BY MRS. CHILD.

The county of Suatlord, New Hampshire, is
remarkable for its wild and broken scenery
Ranges of hills tower one above another as if
eager to look upon the beautiful country which
atar off lies sleeping IN the embraces of the
clouds-preciPices from which the eagle delights
to build its eyrie-dels rugged and tangled
with dark and deep ravines, form the the magSS;
niicent characteristics of this picturesque re-
gion
A high precipce, called Chocorua's Cliff, is
rendered peculiarly interesting by n legend,
which tradition alone has saved from utter oh.
livion. This spot being in the midst of very
romantic scenery, is little known and less visit
ed; for the vicinity is as yet untraversed by
railroads or canals, and 10 mountain house, +"
perched on the Tremendous battlements allures
the traveller hither to mock the majesty of ma
ture with the insipidities of fashion.
In olden times, when Gofe and Whaley
passed for wizards and mountain spirits among
the superstitious, the vicinity of the spot we
have been describing, was occupied by very
small colony, which, either from discomfort or
enterprise, had retired into this remato part of
Laew Hampshire. Most of them were ordinary
men, led to this independent mode Of life by
lmpahence of restraint, which as frequently ac-
companies vulgar obstinancy as generous pride.
But there was master spirit among them, who
was capable of higher destiny than he ever
hed. The consciousness of this stamped some-
thing of proud humility on the face of Cornelius
Campbell, something of naughty spirit, strong
~ curbed by circumstances which he could not
control, and at which he scorned to murmur.-
lie assumed no superiority but there was
thrown around him the spell of intellect, and
his companions felt they knew not why that he
was "among them but not of them." His stat
ure was gigantic, and he had wandered frequent
ly and fearlessly among the terrible hiding pla-
ces OF nature. His voice was harsh, but his
whole countenance possessed singular capabili-
ties for tenderness Of expression: and some
times under the gentle influence of domestic
excitement, his hard features would be rapidly
lighted up, seeming like the sunshine flying
over the fields in an April day.
His companion was one peculiarly calculated
to excite and retain the deep, strong energies
OF manly love. She had possessed extraordinary
beauty; and had, in the full maturity of All ex-
cellent judgement, relinqulshed several splendid
alliances, and incurred her fathers displeasure
for the sake of Cornelius Campbell. Had po-
Iitieal circumstances proved favorable, his iai-
ents and ambition would unquestionably have
worked out path to emolument and fame; but
he had been an active enemy of the Stuarts,
and the restoration of Charles the Second was
death-blow to his hopes of advancement in
his own country. Immediate flight became nee
essary; America was the chosen place of ref
uge, and to this solitary spot he withdrew with
his family.
a A small settlement in such remote place
was of course subject to Inconvenience and oc-
casonal sufferings. From the Indians they re-
ceived neither injury nor insult No cause oi
quarreng had ever arisen and although their
frequent visits were sometimes troublesome
they had never given indications Of jealousy OIL
malice, Chocorua was considered prophet
among them, and, as such an object of peculiar
respect He had a mind which education ant
motive would have nerved with giant strength
but growing up in savage freedom, it wasted it
self in fury and ungovernable passions There
was something fearful in the quiet haugtness o
his lip-it seemed so like slumberng power, tot
proud to be lightly reused, and TOO implacablC
to sleep again. In his small, black, fiery eye
expression lay coied up like beautiful snake
The white people knew that his hatred woulC
be terrible; but they had never proved it, ant
even the children became too much accustomed
TO him to fear him.
Chocorua had son about nine or ten year
old, to whom Caroline Campbell had occasion
ally made such gaudy presents as were ikel
to attract his savage fancy. This won tn
childs affections so that he became a familia
vistaRt, almost an inmate Of their dwelling :
and being unrestrained by the courtesies of civ
ilized life, he would inspect every thing an
taste of every thing which came in his way
Some poison prepared by mischeyouS 70
which had long troubled the little settlsmen
was discovered and drank by the Indian boy
and he went home to his father to sicken an
die.
: From that moment jealousy and hatred too
. passion of ChocOrua's soul. He never told hi
: suspicious; he brooded over them in secret t
! nourish the deadly revenge he contemplate
y against Cornelius Campbell.
y The story of Indian animosty is always til
y same. Campbell left his hut for the fields earl
n one bright balmy morning in June. Still Low
er, though ten years a husband, his last look wa
y turned towards his wife, answering her partin
= smije--hls last action a kiss for each of hi
s children. When he returned they were dead
}, they were all dead and their disfgured bodie
n too surely showed that an Indians hand ha
o done the work
st In such mind, grief, like all other emotions
: was tempestuous. Home had been to him III
only verdant spot in the wide desert Of life.
his wife and children he had garnered up h
=. life-heart, and now they were torn from him.
The remembrance of her love clung to hi
like the death grapple of a drowning man, sucl
i ing him down into darkness and death. TIL
was followed by a calm thousand times mo-
E. terrible-the creeping agony of despair, tn
IN brings with 1t a loneliness of consolation,
IL As IL the dead could feel
The Icy around him steal"
O. For many days, those who knew and revere
or him feared that tho spark of reason was forev
I'd extlnguished, But it rekindled again, and wi
SO it came wild demOniac spirit of revenge TT
nt haath nrnnn nf Eshon..... LII - =