The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-10-06
THRILLING NARRATIVE,
A RACE FOR LIFE.
A STORY OF THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK;

"a a1qsss SH8 en bt&
A STORY OF THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK;
Forty years ago my fathers family SET.
lied in one Of the counties Of central New
York. All was wilderness, wild, grand,
beautiful. We located fifteen miles from
the. farthest pioneer. The woods were
around US, the tall trees and picturesque
mountains.
. We had opened space in the forest
and a cabin OF that good old time afforded
US shelter. Itlooked new and comfortable,
and its chimney smoke curled gracefully
up and vanished with the shadows of the
forest. The blackened heaps smoked and
crackled, and deep in those wild wood sol.
tudes the wilderness blossomed and smiled
in the presence of yellow harvests. A
happy home was there. The birds sang
at earliest morn, and the deep river near
the door murmured sweetly at nightfall =
There were gentle whisperings in the old
trees. As they bowed their heads in the
winds, a holy anthem foated up from the
vast temples where nature breathes fresh
and pure from the hand Of God. The
wild flowers bloomed even by the very
door sill, and the deer stopped in the for
est to gaze upon the smoke Of the chimney
top.
Twas a beautiful home in the wilder.
ness! The spring brought us neighbors
Twas great day when settler came in
and purchased land across the river. lie
received warm welcome from pioneer
hearts, and by the ready agency Of pioneer
hands. a comfortable log cabin peeped out
from the dense woodland of the opposite
bank. watched the smoke from the open
roof as the sun went down, and eagerly
looked fori; the next morning. But it was
not the smoke that | cared so much about
!. only knew that it curled upward from the
fireside where dwelt as beautiful creature
as ever bloomed away from the busy world.
And so watched the smoke, and dreamed
asI watched the river, until the moon thew
down its beautiful pathway of shining sill.
Yer, and listened for the sound of familiar
footsteps.
Across the river was the home of Garry
Mason. Before the mellow haze of Au.
tumn had dropped its dreary hue on leaf
and stream had learned to love her, and
to tell her so in the still moon light of that
hidden home.
The leaves faded and the winter winds
swept through the forest. But we cared
little for that The snow fell thick and
fast, but our cabin homes were bright and
alive with happiness and hope. When the
spring opened and the birds returned, we
were to be married.
A winter evening party in new coun-
try. Did you. ever attend one readerl
There are large hearths and open hearts
there to be found.
Garry and | were invited to attend the
party; a rude "jumper" had been built,
and in this we started. Ten miles were
soon passed, and we found ourselves in
as merry and happy throng as ever
gathered on frontier, The huge fire
cracked on the wide hearth, and old fash.
Toned fun and frolic rang out until late
hour.
The moon had gone down when we
started for home, and the snow began to
fall but we needed it not, for we talked fast
as the stout horse sped on the forest path.
Garry grasped my arm and whispered
"hist!'' The wind shreked over the tops
Of the dark pines, and laughed at her
fears. But she nestled closer to my side.
and talked with less glee. In spite of all
my efforts, a shadow would creep over my
spirits.
The road wound among dense growth
Of pines which shot upwards, and veiled
even the sky from our path. The old
pines swayed and moaned in the increas.
ing storm, and the snow fell fast and thickly.
! touched the horse with the whip and he
moved briskly through the woods. Again
Garry grasped my arm. | heard nothing
save the storm. and yet was startled as
the horse gave quick snort and struck
into a gallop. With a heart full Of happi-
ness, had not yet dreamed of any dan
ger.
Again the horse snorted in alarm. There
was . sound above the storm. felt my
cheek grow white and cold, and the blood
rushed quickly back to my heart.
Clear wild, terrible, it burst out in an
ynearthly howl like wall from the world
offsnds. Iheard it., Its dismal, heart
chilling echoes had died away on the storm,
when il was answered from score of