The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1855-05-24
9electe0 Gtoru,
Written for Ballou's Pctorial.l
BIRDS FOR BREAKFAST.
A Tale of the Settlement of Arkansas.
by BEN: PERLEY PooRE.


Westward no! A party of hunters haC
brought back marvellous reports Of tho
fertile parties on the banks Of the Rec
River, and in less than month"; thinL
it was in August, 1920, long train 0
Conostoga wagons had crossed the Ms
sssippi, en- route for the land of promise
They were under the direction Of Squire
Frierson, wealthy old planter, who had
grown richby land speculations, and now
hoped not only to locate some rich tracts
for himself, but to get mortgages on the
farms ofhis associate pioneers. Stalwort
son of toll, they had little idea that they
were in reality but serfs, and INDUCED
in high hopes of future prosperity, as they
goaded along the sluggish oxen, or kept
together the herds that grazed as they jour
neyed. The wagons, generally speaking,
would rumble overabout tenmiles in a day,
and when the sun began to decline, they
were so halted as to form a square, within
which the camp-fres were lighted. The
cattle were coralled, supper was prepar.
ed, and then groups would gather round
the fires and listen to marvellous tales Of
frontier-life. AS the fires burned low, the
groups would diminish, and soon the
watchful guards would have the lights in
the tents cxtinguished, one by one, until
the silence of night rcigned.
One morning, three young men who had
been patrolling through the night, fingered
behind the train, to cook some fine birds
that Hal. Harson, the youngest of the
trio, had shot at early dawn. His compan-
ions, gaunt and weather-bronzed, were vet
eran hunters, but Hal. was fne-looking
fellow, ruddy with health, and having every
pioneer attribute. Every one wondered
he should have left good paternal farm in
Tennessee, to be ahireling guard on Frier-
sons train; yet he was the fayorite Of the
party.
Now for a breakfast, said Hal, as he
approached the fire.
well, bird-meat's betternor deermeat,
replied jim long, who had just succeeded
in resuscitating the fire. 'Buthere comes
old Frierson on his PAGER, biting the stem
of his pipe. He be dogged. What does
he want :?
The leader of the train, who now rode
up, had that cramped, heartless, cold ex-
preston of countenance, peculiar to those
who make Mammon their god. In his
opinion, men he especially disliked poor
young men, regarding them as adventures,
who soughtto deprive capitalists of wealth
Perhaps, too, he feared thatsome one might
WOO and wed his neice, whose property
had been of such essential servicei in sever.
al speculatlons.
Left an orphan at an early age, Mary
Frierson had been brought up on her un
cle's farm, in wild independence. She
could shoot, fish and hunt like Diana, ye
as she ripened into womanhood, her feel
ings became chastened. An undefne(
yearning took possession of her. She be
came acquainted with Hal. Harson, anc
soondis overed that he loved her, and as th'
wagon-train moved slowly along, twas her
delight to have him join the merry groul
of girls, for she felt that she, of all others
was first in his thoughts. And he, al
though sensible that there was great gul
between them, which nothing but bridge
of dollars could span, lived in the intoxi
cation of her presence. To enjoy that, he
felt that he could endure any privation
face any dificulty-nay, even bear the i'll
sulting manners of her uncle.
What's this' exclaimed Frierson ii
m insolent tone. who shot those birds?
L did, coolly replied Harson.
You did, ha! Well, was oolenougl
to think the Inuns would trouble US, anc
so hired you lazy fellows as guard. Blu
| didn't buy powder for you to shoot bird
with
'Thc birds were shot with my own am
munition, purchased at Memphis, look
And as Harson spoke, he exhibited small
canister of Dupont, with leather bas
of shot. i have done my duty, SIR h'
he continued; 'and if you think there ar
no Indians around, i
'HumbugP Intercepted Frierson,-
You had better look stricter after the cat
tle.'
Look a here grumbled Bill Long, q
you think you can put onyer airs here, oil
boss, you're cave-in. We was hired t
guard the camp at night; we've stoo
; our puard-Hal., here, more than we tw
) but we aint your slaves, no sir-ree
: So keep civil, or dry upP
D WHAT exclaimed Frierson, turnin
2 purple with rage. But never mind.
a week you can all travel. But don't