Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-02-23

their last night on earth among strangers
At the foot of the hill, which had served for
an ambuscade, lay another Indian beside a
gnarled maple, with his rife firmly grasped
in death, and the scalps of two victims dang.
| ling from his belt
While the bereft family were surveying the
heart-sickening scene, neighbor, Mr.. Sey-
more, and his son Philip arrived. Then,
while the sorrOwing mother was bandaging
and dressing the wound in little Maggie's leg,
Mr.. Seymore, the soldier and the two boys,
dug deep grave under one of the young ap-
pie trees, beyond the fountain, and laid in the
bodies of the murdered ones.
Great CONSERVATION prevailed in Sylvan
Dell among the emigrants, and they resolved
to build block-house, and remove to it, until
peace and security were fully restored Just
where Willow Stream wound around the high
hill on Judge Coulter's farm, they built it-a
great, unsightly pile, with port holes, SO, if
they were attacked, they could defend them
selves. Eleven families left their homes, and
their new-made gardens, and little convenienc-
es, and, with troops of children dressed in
coarse linen and in mems cast-off clothes, and
with bare red feet, they all huddled together.
When once comfortable settled, and feeling
secure, many rays of sunshine were reflected
from their grateful souls upon their faces
Often have sat at the feet Of aged matrons,
who were vonno then and. liStenad with in
tense interest TO the little incidents of life in
the wilderness. Glorious times, those =
Why, even Cupid, the saucy, sly god, man.
aged to find entrance there and folded his
wings with an air of content, and showed forth
some of his funniest tricks.
Softly as snow flakes fell whisperings of
love, even there, and gaIlants, big, sturdy,
noble fellows, with barred feet and brown
hands, and fathers hats, used TO take their
muskets and their maidens, and enjoy delight
ful rides in bark canoes on the willow and
alder fringed stream. And the wild little
hoydens of ten summers old would steal the
horses, while the fathers were absent, and
ride round and round the stable, and oc ;asion-
ally venture up and down the high hill.
But one morning, in the soft, brown earth
below one Of the portfolios, little Frank Lee
found bright silver brooch, and beside it the
wide track of an Indians moccasin. After
this, if the children grew boisterous in their
play, or ventured out of the yard, the mothers
would significantly point at the silver brooch
that fastened Franks collar, and it was suffi-
cient to calm their joyousncss.
Mr.. Seymore still lived on his farm, five
miles up the stream, and near the Indian set
dement,. There was great preparation in his
cabin-home for the bridal Of his only daughter,
May. Philip had invited all the occupants of
known only in those early days, was antici-
pated A sweet creature was May, and the
pride of her parents. Henry Alton, her be-
trothed, resided in Marietta, and among other
gifts to his bright May, was snowy piece of
jaconet for her bridal dress.
The evening preceding the wedding, found
the happy girl sitting before the fire, finishing
the pure white robe, and Philip beside her,
throwing bits of hickory bark into the fire to
keep up bright blaze until the task was COM
pleted. The mother, tired with the days la
Dor of baking and making all necessary prepa-
ration for the invited guests, sat with her
weary hands folded in her lap, and looking
l. I. Il.
No more extra blazes, Phil,' said May,
rising and smoothing down the completed
dress, and patting his brown cheek with her
little hand.
And now, darling, your pa would like to
see his petin her bridal Dress said the doat-
ing father.
But said the mother, sit is called bad
luck to put on weddingdress before the
proper time yet May, if poor father desires
it you will do it and then the thought Of
being separated from her child rose before her,
but, checking the rising sobs, she leaned her
head on her husbands shoulder, and talked OF
the coming event, and the assemblage of ex-
pected ones on the morrow.
In moment, May stood before them in the
white robe, radiant with beauty, and bright,
young hope, and they all thought she never
looked sweeter Her wavy hair was smoothed
back from her fair young brow, and her blue
eyes and delicate complexion contrasted beau
tifully with the pure, plain bridal dress.
Bless you, my daughter, said the father,
laying his hands on Mays head, as the inno-
cent girl instinctively knelt beside him.
Just at this moment when the very angels
would love to linger and smile upon such a
scene, was the door rudely pushed open, and
Eve or six Indians came staggering in, head
ed by Black Cloud, their chief.
thought Dear Henry was come,' said
May, clinging with frightened look to her
father.
With shudder Of horror that she strove to
conceal, the mother beckoned Philip aside,
and told him that the Indians were partially
| intoxicated, and the result of their untimelv
visit was much to be feared, and that she
would endeavor to conciliate them while he
ran to their nearest neighbors and gave the
alarm. Immediately after Philip had stolen
out, Mrs. Seymore asked them if they would
be pleasedto have supper prepared. Black