The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-10

spiri, which characterized the early settlers
oil Ohio, he refused.
Before the rosy tinge Of dawn had pene-
tra,ed the forest shades that surrounded the
little cabin, the guests, (who were soldiers
returning 10 their .homes) were as,ir, ant
before starting went 10 the gushing foun-
tain 10 wash. The sharp report OF several
guns rang out upon The morning air, and
echoed among the wild hills-,he signal of
danger-deaih
John Carroll, frightened al the alarming
sound, sprang from his bed, seized his
mSske, and just as he reached the door, he.
the strong noble man, was MORALLY wound
ed in the breast, and shrieking-"Mine-
my wife aud children % fell dead in the
door that but moment before had framed
him ia, the picture Of manhood.
Fred hurried down The ladder from the
chamber, dragged the lieless form within,
and assisted the terrified and only remain.
ing soldier in fastening the door and Sc
creating his mother and The children in the
little chamber he had just left.
From a small window near the door,
they saw an Indian slealihiy approaching,
bn, as he reached The fence, a bail from
Fred's muskei arrested him, and he fell
across mossy iog-seat, where Willie and
Maggie had often played away The happy
hours.
In demoniac rage were showers OF bull
lets rained down upon the humble roof,
many of them piercing through and lodging
in the opposite wall. Closer the agonizng
mother held her little ones TO her bosom,
and pi,eously did she shrek when her darl-
ing Maggie, with shrill scream, clung
closer 10 her, and striving 10 hush her cries,
tanied on the breast that pillowed her
bright curls.
Maddening yells .ent the air without,
and the poor mother envIed the unconscious
sufferer iha, lay with The pale lips parted
and the chubby hands hanging lislless.-
a few moments lOnger-.momenls that
seemed agcs-and Fred came up, and
bursting into tears, seated himself ai her
feet and wept pieously aud long.
When they descended, n sad picture me,
their gaze. The bright sunshine never
cleaned upon sadier sight. With The
shadow Of night, had disappeared the MUIR
derers, but the seal o. sworn revenge was
stamped there in The home in the wilder
ness.
The father lay in a crimson pool Of his
own BLOOD across the mossy seat was
stretched the siifening form Of a painted
Indian, with his dark visage irighlfully
hideous, and there dashed and rippled the
crystal fountain, bu, its ripples played over
the dead bodies of two OF The true-hcarled
ones who had found rest their last nigh, 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 rifle firmly grasped in death, and
tho scaips Of two vic,ims dangli'g from his
belt.
While the bereii family were surveying
The notwithstanding scene, neighbor, MIR.
Seymore, and his son. Philip arrived
Then. while the sorrowing mother was
bandaeing 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 apple trees, beyond the foun.
tain, aud laid in the bodies Of The murder
ed ones.
Grea, consieanation prevailed in Sylvan
Dell among the emigranis, and they resolv-
ed TO build block. house, and remove 10
it, until peace and security were fully re.
stored. Just where Willow Stream wound
around the high hill on Judge Coul,er's
farm, they built il-a great unsiyhily pile,
with port holes, SO, if they were attacked,
they could defend themselves. Eleven
families left their homes, and their new
made gardens, and lille conveniences, and,
with troops of children dressed in coarse
linen and in mems casi-off clothes, and
with bare red feet, they all huddled TO-
ge,her. When once comfortably settled,
aud fe"ling secure, many rays OF sun.
shine were reflected from their grateful
souls upon their faces.
Ofen have sat at the feet of aged ma.
irons, who were young then, and listened
with intense inleres, 10 the little incidents
Of life in the wilderness. Glorious times,
those. Why, even cupid, the saucy, sly
god, managed 10 find enterance there aud
folded his wings with an air Of content, and
showed forth some Of his funniest tricks.
Softly rs snow flakes fell whisperinss OF
love, even there, aud gallan,s, big, sturdy,
noble fellows, with barred feet and brown
hands, and fathers hats, 10 take their musk.
els and their maidens, and enjoy delightful
rides in bark canoes on The willow and
alder iiinged stream. And The wild lille
hoydens of ten summers old would steal
the horses, while The fathers were absent,
and ride round and round the stable, and
occasionally venture up and down the high
hill. ......
But one morning, in the soft, brown
earth below one of The pori.holes, little
Frank Lee found bright silver brooch,
and beside j, The wide track Of an Indian S
moccasn. After this, il the children grew
boiserous in their play, or ven,urcd out of
the yard, the mothers would significantly
point nj the silver brooch that fastened
! Franks collar, and il was sufficient 10 calm
their joyousness. ...
Mr.. Seymore still lived on his farm, five
miles up the stream, and near The Indian
settlement. There was great preparation
I, in his cabin.home for the bridal of his only
daughter, May. Philip had invited all the
occupants of the block-house, aud scene
of fes,ivi,y, known only in those early
days. was anticipated. A sweet creature
was MAY, and The pride Of her parenis.-
Henry Alton, her beiro,hed, resided in
Marietta, and among other gifts 10 his
bright May, was snowy piece OF jaconei
for her bridal dress.
The evening preceding the wedding,
found the happy girl sitting before the fire,
flushing The pnre white robe, and Philip
beside her, throwing bits of hickory bark
into lie fire 10 keep up bright blaze until
the task was completed. The mother,
tried with The days labor of baking and
making all necessary preparation for the
invited guests, and with her weary hands
folded in her lap, and looking with pride
upon hor two children. .,,,
"No more extra blazes, Phi" said May,
rising and smoothing down The completed
dress, and pa,iing his brown cheek with her
little hand.