The Cedar Co. news-letter. [volume] (Tipton, Iowa) 1853-1853, 1853-11-19
From the Flag OF our Union.
TIE 10Y HEROES,
SKETCH or WESTERN LIFE.

ItlUuusH lttI Slalit loie ISIS, hisit AA'N" VI
a branch of Green River, in the western
lpart of that State and old hunter by the
name of John Slater. His hut was up
on the south bank Of the stream, and
save a small patch of some dozen acres
fthat had been cleared by his axe, he was
shut in by dense forests. Slater bad but
two Children at home with him--two sons,
Philip and Daniel, the former fourteen
and the latter twelve years Of age
His other children had gone south. His
wife was with him, but she hada been for
several years an almost helpless Grip
pie from the effect of severe rheuma-
Itlsm.
1t was early in the spring, and the
Iold hunter had just returned from Co.
| lumbia, where he had been to carry the
product Of his winters labor, which o5,n,
sisted mostly Of iurs. He had received
quite sum OF money, and had brought
ii home with him. The old man for
several years had been accommodating
money, for civilization was gradually APP
preaching him, and he ment that his
children should start with, fair means in
the world.
1 One evening just as the family were
sitting down to their frugal supper, they
were attracted by 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 quoted the dogs, and the
strangers approached the door. They
asked for something to eat, and also
lodgings for the night. John Slater was
not the man to refuse request OF that
kind, and kindly asked the strangers in.
They Sc, their rifles behind the door, and
sunslung their packs, and room was made
at the table. They represented taem-
selves as travellers bound further west
intending to cross the Mississippi IN
search OF settlement.
The new corners were far from being
agreeable or preposscssing in their looks
but Slater took no notice OF the circum-
stances for it was not his nature to doubt
any man. The boys, however, did not
like their appearance at all, and the quick
'Iglances which they gave each other told
their feelings. The hunters wife was
not at the table, but she sat in a great
easy chan by the fire.
Slater entered into conversation with
the guests, but they were not very free,
and after q while the talk dwindled away
% mere occasional questions. Philip,
the elder of the two boys, noticed that
that the men cast uneasy giances about
the room, and he watched them narrow
lily. His fears had become excited, and
ne could not rest. He knew that his
father had large sum Of money in the
house, and his first thought was that these
men were there for TIE purpose Of rob-
berry.
After the supper was finished, the two
boys quickly cleared off the table. and
then they went out Of doors. 1t had be-
come dark, or rather night had fairly set,
IN, for the moon was nearly ''two-thirGs
! fuii," shining down upon the forest.
Daniel said Philip, in low whis-
}per, al the same time casting look over
MS shoulder, "wha, do you think of those
three men :"
I'm afraid they're bad Ones" returned
the younger boy"
so do I. | believe they mean to
steal fathers money. Didn't you notice
how they looked around :"
yes"
$50 did |. Ii we should tell father
what we think, he would only laugh at
as, and tell us we were scare.crows."
bat we can watch en-"
Yes" returned the other; "and We
viii watch EN- but don't let them
know il"
The boys held some further eonsuita-
, tloA and then gong 10 the dog house,
| they set the small door back 50 thar the
hounds might SPRING forth il they we're
wanted. Soon afterwards they re-cntcr-
cd the house. II they had desired to
speak with their father about their sus-
Ipiclons, they had no chance, for the
strangers KEPT close by him all Tie even
/ ing.
1t length, however, the old man sir-
lnlfied his intention Of retiring, and he
arose to 90 out OF doors to ascertain the
state oi affairs without. The three men
followed linn. hut they did not take their
guns. Tie old lady was asleep il her
chair.
Now said Philip, lc, us take two OF
fathers rifles up to our bed. We NAV
Iwan,theni. Weaare as good as mau with
tie rifle"
Daniel sprang 10 obey, ard quickly a:
possible the boys slipped two rifles non
taeir booklets behind the great stove CHM
ney, ard carried them W TO their sleep
ling place, anu then fastened back ant
tempted the priming from the stranger:
rifles, and when their father an II,
strangers returned they had resumed theii
seats.
The hunters cabin was divided 5ntl
two apartments Oh tue ground floor. on,
lot taem INT the end oil the building. BEING
tie cid mans sleeping room, while Il,
OTTER vas the large living room IN wh!el
"a n me-