Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-02-23
G5e Stotp Gtlltr,
HOME PICTURES FRAMED
Life in the Wilderness.


the real, than SYLVAN DELL.
There is no need of drawing from the ideal
when the blue arch of sky that frames In this
lovely spot, spans material enough of the real
for narratives Of thrilling intetest and amuse-
ment. With such fount of stern fact to
draw from, it would be wrong to indulge in
idle dreamings, and my Home Pictures shall
be sketched with the pencil of Truth.
GreentOwn was the name given to the set
tlement of a tribe of the Delaware Indians,
long years before Ohio was State, and pre-
vious to the emigration of the earliest settlers
My little sketch opens in 1911, when the hardy
pioneers had chosen and settled upon forest
farms, many Of them in close contiguity with
Greentown.
open the door, Maggie said Mrs. Car
roll to her little daughter, who was nesting
at the feet of the baby in the rustic cradle.
Maggie, the bright-haired pet OF the house
hold, ran to the door, and with both tiny
hands succeeded in raising the heavy wooden
latch.
Four men in humble garb, with forms lag
ging and wearied, and rifles resting on the
ground, were standing at the open door. One,
with commanding figure, Goffed his slouch
hat, and craved lodging for himself and COM
rades until the morning. Honest John Car
roll laid down his book and rose from his
little bench-seat in the corner where the blaze
flashed brightest, and in the warmth of his
true heart said
God knows, in these days of peril and suf-
fering, how glad we are TO befriend each 9th
er, and if you ask as friends to tarry with us
in our humble cabin, and come with good in
tentions, you shall be welcome
A gratitude was there expressed in the
warm, brotherly grasp of the four hard hands
that were extended.
Mrs. Carroll put aside the half patched coat,
and Fred added new fuel to the fire, in shape
of green logs, that were soon swapping and
making blazes, while the mother baked a new
loaf of golden corn bread, cut ample slices of
venison, and from the little cellar brought
yellow butter and pan of milk.
How good TO the weary was the fare
that was spread out on a coarse clean cloth
on the rude table.
When supper was over they talked of the
times, the ravages of the Indians, and Of their
homes in the East and then when they were
weary, good John Carroll read from the old
Bible that lay upon the shelf, and all joined
Al Ill ( A - IN ho
ing prayer.
Yet long they conversed after the tired sol
diers had stretched themselves about on the
floor, for but few days before had the emf
grant family learned that the Delawares at
the Indian settlement of Greentown, had
vowed vengeance on them for some little act,
which had been deemed provocation
In kindness, the stranger guests remon-
strated with Carroll, and besought him to re-
move from that place until times presented a
more favorable aspect, but with that spirit
which characterized the early settlers of Ohio,
he refused.
Before the rosy tinge of dawn had pene-
trated the forest shades that surrounded the
little cabin, the guests, (who were soldiers
returning to their homes) were astir, and be-
fore starting, went to the gushing fountain to
wash. The sharp report of several guns rang
out upon the morning air, and echoed among
the wild hills-the signal of danger-death |!
John Carroll, frightened at the alarming
sound, sprang from his bed, seized his musket
L 4 IL L. L. ,bo
noble man, was mortally wounded in the
breast, and shrieking-'Mine-my wife and
children = fell dead in the door that but a mo-
ment before had framed him in, the picture of
manhood.
Fred hurried down the ladder from the
chamber, dragged the lifeless form within,
and assisted the terrified and only remaining
soldier in fastening the door and secreting his
mother and the children in the little chamber
he had just left.
From small window near the door, they
saw an Indian stealthily approaching, but as
he reached the fence, ball from Fred's mus
ket arrested him, and he fell across messy
log-seat, where Willie and Maggie had often
played away the happy hours.
In demoniac rage were showers of bullets
rained down upon the humble roof, many of
them piercing through and lodging in the op-
posite wall. Closer the agonizing mother
held her little ones to her bosom, and pite-
ously did she shrek when her darling Mag
gle, with shrill scream, clung closer to her,
and striving to hush her cries, tainted on the
breast that pillowed her bright curls.
Maddcning yells rent the air without, and
the Door mother envied the unconscious sufv
ferer that lay with the pale lips parted and the
chubby hands hanging listless. A few mo-
ments longer-moments that seemed ages
and Fred came up, and bursting into tears
seated himself at her feet and wept piteousy
and long.
When they descended, sad picture me-
their gaze. The bright sunshine never CLEAN.
ed upon a sadder sight. With the shadow Of
night, had disappeared the murderers, but the
seal of sworn revenge was stamped there in
the home in the wilderness.
The father lay in crimson pool of his own
blood across the messy seat was stretched