The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-03-11
From Psterson's Magazine.l
THE HEROINE OF TUE BORDER.


BY CHARLES ]. PETERSON.
II was lovely nigh, in August, seven.
ty years ago. The sky had not cloud
the sir was soft and balmy; aud the moon,
sailing silently on high, flooded wood and
field and river with her calm, pure light
Never, since the last evening in Eden, had
mother earth worn an aspect SO like Para
lise.
At the gate Of mansion in the ncwly
settled town OF Wheeling, stood two lovers
about 10 part. The solemn spell Of the
hour, combined with The farewell they wer.
about TO take, had cusi swee; sadness
over both.
III is a long ride 10 Shepherds Fort, and
aaos, fear for yon," said low and now
limd voice, as the fair speaker looked up
iao The face Of her companion. "Canno,
you put OF Ibis departure, Fruncisw
The bold Virginian gazed tenderly down
1t bis beautiful companion, and then, as il
a:,iuciively, drew her 10 bim, imprinting
kiss upon her forehead, Us he answered:
"You were not always thus timd, Lizzy
remember bciore you went . Pniladel.
phia, tia, you were the bolicst girl of all
tAc border; bu, lo,nigl, you are as lear!u
asa young doc. You have como back ac-
fotnplishcd us queen, bui as aervous too
4 fine l.dy," he continued lsughing!y, "ls
a9, Ii. FOR bride on The frontier"
Il am no, naturally iimid, as you know"
earnestly replied bis companion, bluslling
a, his raiIlefy, s.bat these terrible Indians
nppai me You tell me that they have
tclI greai council a, Chillicothc and re-
,o'yed 20 take UP the hntchoi again. Whal
ia band Of them should aaylay you to
nzhtw
Never fcnr il. dearest; they are fai
eaoush as yet Ny information is in ad
saucc of then, aud We shall probably nj
see lhem ior weeks, even II at all.
though, il my duty 10 ride over and tel
soar iliher, however; though" he added
archly, ''perl'nps there were other reasons
which made INC only too ready to fad al
excuse for visiting Colonel z ne"
u suppose my fears arc foosish;" ans,
sered his companion, "but with woman
nsiac,. they say, sometimes takes the
place q reason; and feel as il some grea
Danger surrounded u.s."
"lt is moonlight, Lizzy, nothing else
s'ily replied the lover. 81 always feel a
touch Of sadness myself, on an evening
Ike this Cheer up, dearest; these arc
lle iancies must, however, mike tho
most Of this moonlight, or il will be dark
selorc ] reach the fort. God bless yon,'
he added, as he kissed her again, adding
bave'y, ifperil should assail you. not ten
thousand times ten thousand Of those red,
skins shall prevent Francis Duke flying lo
your aid"
10 another moment he had lenped upor
ss horse, which stood hard By, and, with q
parting waive Of the hand. dashed Of at O
swinging trot. His betrothed watched
him till he disappeared in the gloom of the
ioFest; then, with sigh, she re-en,ered heI
ia,hcr's house.
The family were about retiring, and, rev
eren,y kissing her parents, the beautiful
slfl asccndcd TO her chamber. But sht
could no, sleep. An indefnabio sense Of
danger pressed upon her spirits, and, throw
'ng aside the curtain Of her window, sI'
sat down and ga2ed without. As she look
cd, a vision roso before her Of her love-
burrylng along the forest depths while
savage ambnscade waited TO receive him
aud so vivid was tho picture tha, she ros'
WIN start ofterror, and could scarcely re
press cry. But, the next instant the il
,lslon faded, the serene moonlight calmet
her soul, and she resumed her seat, asham
cd Of her idle ,errors.
Thus hour after hour passed, her fancy
continually conjuring up new perlls tor he
'oser, and her sober reason as constant,
o,'ercoming these visionary fears. lie
s'sep'essnoss still continued AT last th'
moon began TO sink below the western for
e' Slowly she watched the lengthenln!
shadows as il disappeared until the land
ss,ape was almost entirely shrouded il
gloom; and then, with las; prayer for ne
overs safety, she was about to retire fron
ue window, when her attention was sud
aehly attracted toward what seemed dar
moving mass OH the edge Of the neighbor
Ing woods.
What could il he? The cattle Of ih
set'lement were all carefully housed, sh
"hew. aud il was an hour at which no ht
man being would be likely TO be abroad
ner lndetinablo fears again returned. lie
neart nutlered with nameless dread
enc concealed herself instinc,iveiy benin
'ne window curtain, and watched this dar
moving object for several moments, uni
aahally il emerged from tho shadow Of 4!
crest, when its uncertain outlines resolve
themselves into thosc Of two Indians
'Ssir war.pain,