The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-12-25

and covered from base to summit with man
tie of foliage, rich with all the varied hnes of
autumn. Westward lay level exnanse of
forest over whose tops arose the curling smoke
of the distant station, the only visible sign
of human existence. At their feet, apparent
ly. flowed the broad Ohio rolling on in slug
glsh majesty, undisturhed, as vet, by the kee
of the steamboat or the snort and whistle of
the engine. And now, the setting sun, in hi.
dying glories, poured rich flood Of light owe,
the whole scene, making the rippes of "I,s
belle Riviere" seem flood of molten gold.
The sight was indeed glorious, but the
young hunter in vain endeavored upon tha,
evening to make his friend participate in hi.
feelings Of delight and admiration. During
the whole day he had seemed unusually eloo
my and taciturn. and as evening advanced. a
deeper melancholy settled upon his brow
Now he sat upon the green grass, with his
face buried in his hands, and returning brief
often ncoherent answers. to the words of hi,
companion. At length, as if endcavorinp to
relieve himself from his own meditations. he
raised his head and said, with an evident eff.
fort to be cheerful.
"And so, my boy, YOU are soinc to get mar
r"d soon, they tell me r.? Well. well, YOU
needn't blush so-Molly's good girl. and
will make a hunter like Won. a first rate wife.
But these are trouhous times 10 be .marrvino
and given in maria ge' All remember
He paused, and his mind seemed absorbed
in painful rccollcctionS.
"What is it that drpresscs YOU ?" said the
youth, coming nearer, and laving his hand
gently upon the old mans shnul,ler.
"Eny," he answered. at lenyth "tbi, is the
nth anniversary OF my sorrow; that which
made me the "utra>t, wandering hunter that
.ou see me- now. Never before have ,ouoh,
tor human sympathy. But love YOU as a
son. and something seems forcing me to speak
FIVE summers ago this very hour, that same
sun Hooked down upon happy home in Wes,
virginia. Ii was a humble loghousc it j.,
true, situated in a lonely spot, amid hills and
W. woods but it was t"lI ofcomiort and happiness
That home was mine. For wears, all went
wei! with me My crops, nv cattle. were
unsurpassed. But above all had a wifi. who
was an angel upon earth. and two babes. a
boy and "'rl, who would have male ,l,s-
oit happy with their sweet laughter and their
childish sports.
IL h"ugh remote from any human habita-
ton, and although the Indians were OCCASION
ally seen and heard of iii the nriuhhorhood
ot my dwelling, vet felt no fear. had pev-
err wrongcd them. but on the c,.ntrar, had Of
ten fed and clothed half-starvcd stracclers
from the tribe. who would wander to NV door
and bllndly trusted to their macnanimi,y
for the safety ofall | held dear.
"Wcll. little later in the day than ,h;s
Just five Years a"".l was seated 10y nv hearth
with my children on my knee while NV wifi,
was p">''" III The preparation of our evening
meal. The sun went down, and dark ness
came on. but the air was so pleasant that I
lett the door open TO enjoy the fresh breeze
that seemed making music among the branch
cS OF the great oaks before the door had
lent my dogs to ncighbor for a hunt and
there was nothing to give warning of dapoer
save the melancholy hootinc of an owl in the
hrlshh"ring forest More than once my wife
spoke OF the effect that dismal sound had nm
on her feelings, but laughed at her fears
'"'ue''! aS she Was Crossing The room, !
heafh hcr utter scream of terror | turned
and bcheld dozen du>ky forms crow,]ino in
at the doorway. Even now, can see their
eyes slaring, and their white teeth sbinino as
the flre-lIsht flashed upon them. Sprinoino
from my seat was snatching down NV rifle
which always hung over the fireplace when
l received blow from a tomahawL which
made that scar upon my forehead. A tbou-
sand lights CLEANED in my ewes. and horrid
sounds echoed in ny ears as fell insonsibl,
Severe as was the blow, soon returned to
CONSCIOUSNESS. owing no doubt to the exces.
slve flow OF blood. How awful the siubt no.
held. My wife standing bound in one cor
ner of the room, the little Children sobb;nc
and clinglng to her knees as if for protection
while the tiends were heaping all my little
furrlture INTO the center of the room. ev-
IDENTITY with the intention of firing the house
Making desperate effort to rise,l gained nv
feet, and staggered forward a step or two.
when the blood gushed over my ewes, and I
fell helpless and blinded upon the floor
The shrleklng and snbbing of my wife and
children at this p.Iabie sight, were MINGLED
with laugh of derision from the savaees. who
supposed that was dead at last. At this
moment, one of their scntinels rushed in. ex-
claiming in their own language, Fly, fly the
whites are cOming'
Il heard few words of consultation. Then
a command was given in tones shall never
forget. Then came blows and shrieks. They
were numbering my children. o, God how
wrlthed and struggled, in vain to rise -
Then came crashing blow,a fall and croan
and all was over. They had murdered NV
Wife Yes, they were all gone .-au-au-
not one-not one left -
lhe big tear-drops fell like rain through