Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-06-28
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A Sketch Of Early Western Life.
BY SYLVANUS COBB, j

When kentucky was an infant State,
and before the foot of civilization had
trodden down the giant forest, there lived
upon branch of the Green River, in the
western part of that State, an old hunter
by the name Of John Slater His hut was
on the southern bank of the stream, and
save a small patch of about dozen acres
which had been cleared by his axe, he
was shut in by dense forest. Slater had
but two children home with him-two
sons, Philip and Daniel, the former four
teen and the latter twelve years of age.
His older children had gone South. His
wife was with him, but she had been for
several an almost helpless cripple from
the effects of severe rheumatism.
1t was early in the spring, and the old
hunter had just returned from Columbia
where he had been to carry the product
of his winters labor, which consisted
mostly of furs. He had received quite a
sum of money and he had brought it
home with him. The old man had for
several years been accumulating money,
for civilization was gradually approach
ing him, and he meant that his children
should start on fair terms with the
world.
One evening, just as the family were
sitting down to their frugal supper they
were attracted by a sudden bowling of
the dogs, and as Slater went to the door
to see what was the matter, he saw three
men approaching his hut He quickly
quieted the dogs, and the strangers az
preached the door, They asked for some
thing to eat, and also for lodgings for the
night. John Slater was not the man to
refuse request of that kind, and he kind
ly asked the strangers in. They set their
rifles behind the door and unslung their
packs, and room was made for them at
the table. They represented themselves
as travellers bound further west, intend
ing to cross the Mississippi in search of a
settlement.
The newcomers were far from being
agreeable, or prepossessing in their looks,
but Slater took no notice of the circum-
stance, for it was not his nature to doub;
any man. The boys, however, did no;
like their appearance at all and the quicl,
glances which they gave each other told
of their feelings. The hunters wife was
not at the table, but she sat in her great
easy chair by the fire.
Slater entered into conversation with
his guests, but they were not very free,
and after while the conversation dwin-
died away to mere occasional questions.
Philip, the elder of the boys, noticed that
the men cast uneasy glances about the
room, and he watched them narrowly
His fears had become exciteda and he could
not rest. He knew that his father had a
large sum of money in the fouse, and his
first thought was that these men were
there for the purpose of robbery.
After the supper was finished the two
boys cleared off the table, and then they
went out of doors. 1t had become dark
or, rather, night had fairly set in, for
there was bright moon, " "two-t thirds
full' shining down upon the forest.
Daniel" said Philip, in low whis
per, at the same time casting look over
his shoulder, what do you think of those
three men %
I'm afraid they're bad ones, returned
the younger boy.
g So am [. | believe they mean to steal
fathers money. Didn't you notice how
they looked around !'
Yes"
$50 did |. IF we should tell father
what we think he would only laugh at us,
and tell US we were scare crows"
& But We can watch EN-"
"1es," returned the other, "and we
will watch 'em but don't let them know
it."
The boys held some further consulta
ton, and then going to the dog house they
set the small door back so that the hounds
might spring forth if they were wanted.
Soon after they re entered the house. If
they had desired to speak to their father
about their suspicious, they had no chance.
for the strangers sat close to him all the
evening.
AT length, however, the old man signi.
fled his intention of retiring, and he arose
to 60 out of doors to see the stateof affairs
without. The three men followed him,
but they did not take their weapons. The
old lady was asleep in her chair.
" Now" whispered Philip, let's take
two of fathers rifles up to our bed. We
may want EN-. We are as good of men
with the rife"