Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-08-30
Nliscellancolls
ATALE OF THE WEST.
CHAPTER I.

O1af ts
Let not the reader deem this tale The crea-
ton Of tue writer's Imagination it is far 9TH
RrwiSe. Would that the incidents about TO be
recorded, were the mere ideal fantasies OF fic-
iion ! then, indeed, would be diminished the
catalogue Of unfortunate victims, who daily in
real life are Known 10 quaff the waters Uf Bit
terneSS.
1t was in the year lS-, a time, when many
being captivated with the splendid reports OF
adventurous pioneers, that Major Leland, and
some scores OF his immediate neighborS dis
posed OF their lands in one OF The Southern
States, and emgrated 10 what, al tha! time,
was considered the far West. To dlspel as
far as possible the gloom and dreariness, nee
eSsarly attending the fi,st few!ears' residence
in what may be termed a wilderness, ii 10 hap
pily frequently the case, that members leave
simultaneously The homes Of their childhood
IN The old States, and transfer 10 distant but
a more fertile land, The same habits, inlima
cies and affections to which they had formerly
been accustomed. Thus the cheer!eSs aspect
Of new country, and the privations and oh
siacles 10 be encountered in changing lis wild
exuberance Of useless vegetation 10 valuable
harves.s, are not ONLY measuIeabIy avoided,
but is frequently the means oi cemenllng still
more closely those social attachments, which
IN q less limited sphere, might be suffered TO
lsnguish for want OF cultivation.
Major Leland, from Tie funds arising from
The sale OF but moderate estate, saw himself
now possessed of several thousand acres, far
yuperior 10 that which he had abanduned.-
his slaves were soon heard singing in The dark
green fields OF corn, those songs which he had
been accustomedio 10 hear from his infancy-and
4. &c nl la OH 40 hnu p1t M mi piuh
iqg ov,r the gentle unddlaling pri ie, tumber-
cd with the richest IS we'll as the most beau
tiful verdure, and the sad though pleasing
lowing which approached nearer and nearer
from many directions, as The putting cattle
were treading the many different naths through
tie dark patches Of sumach-he felt glow OF
satisfaction which repaid in some degree, the
many sghs of himself and family, when in
the midst of The journey, they had keeny
felt the inclemency of the weather, and had
seen their you ngest born scken AMI die. Maj
Leland had Just returned from visit 10 some
OF his neighbors, with whom he had been con
certng measures 10 rid the settlement Of the
many wolves that were nightly in the habit
Of committing serious depredaions Oh ihei
focks, and had fingered until twilight, view
ing the happy scenes which were rapidly form
ing round him, aud planning farther improve
ments, as his time and means should permit
lie now alighted from his steed and entered
bis mansion. As is frequently the case will
the wealthier emigrants, the major had pur
chased The improvements and limited posses
Sions of some earlier and more hardy ysetter, ant
had added on oil sides large tracts Of land, OBJ
tained from Government at tie irifing rate o
one dollar and twenty FIVE cents per acre
The house originally was sufficiently commo
douS being constructed OF hewed logs, obtain
ed from the adjacent groves, (Which wert
beautifully iEterspersed over the Prairle,) ant
built two stories high, having four capacou
rooms beside the attic. The present propne
tor had added piazza the Whole length OF lh'
building, facing South had weather boarded
and pa inied The ex x,erior; and within, III,
rooms had changed their rough appearance
and presented o smooth aspect; the parlor sh,
dining rooms having been neatly and tasteful
ly papered. Mrs. Leland and her ihre,
daughters were seated near a cheerful fir
anxiously awaiting the Majors return, as III,
hour for tea had come sometime before his ar
rival. Mrs. L was the daughter Of a disin
Ruished lawyer, who had figured conspicuous
Iy in the councils of the nation, as well as q
the bar. Her age nearly equalled that Of he
husband, which might be perhaps forty, hat
made but slight inroad; and her appearance
though calm and matronIy, gave indication q
having conquered aud subdued the various as
peIites OF an even:ful life, which had witness
ed more than an equal portion of ylciSsludes
Yet there was dignfed expression oi resig
pntiou, and cheerfulness, which was heighien
ed by the playfuness and smiles Of her daugh
tiers. Her eldest, Marie, was married bu
had not yet sept rated from her. Laura an
Clara, the former fourteen, and the other six
teen years OF age, though parlakng the pail
appearance Of the mother, were, as we hay
remarked, oil smiles.
Alter giving directions 10 Charles, mulait
boy, TO c Teiu ly provide for his horse, The Ma
jor seated himself with his family OF the sur
per table. "Father," observed Maria, or mol
properly Mrs. Hale, who had become some
what peevish during the absence of her hu,
band, (who had returned 20 the South 10 o.
range some unfinished busness,) "I hope 70
will not bring such number OF rough look
ding men TO dine with us again. II seems tn,
1he whole country wish to obirude themselve
on you and our particular neighborhood." -
Mrs. Hale had married at the ripe age Of 6v
and twenty, and had ever been distinguishe
fof remarkable fastidiousness respecting th
0sputation and importance ofth family. No,
Nthe sire was pain honest man, fond OF
game Of whist, good tale end the goblet. H
fsplied, "wby not, Marie it is but just
cultivate their good will since we are among'
them, and, as In this instance will be mo,
!bsnifcial by their exertions to destroy th
wolves. having suffered more from them tha
ely one else"
''But," continued Mrs. Hale, "some OF th
pnen ave m vayv n nna naYIvt and THAR cor