The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-03-20
9D1S EEL, I, q ll{3OWS
THE VALLEY FLOWER.
FROM INDIAN LIFE
DY J. II. ROBINSON.

steep hills on either side were covered with
trees Of Il luxuri,ni growth. A small stream
murmnrd through the valley. The wild
deer and the bison drank Of its cool waters
She supple reed, the rank flag, anil a hun
drcd namcc>s plants grew upon its banks
There WAS ii pleasant charm in the monot.
ony Of its murlnurS, as il rippl,'l on hour
after hour The Pawnrcs loved the scc!u
dcd spot, because it ;lmundc,' with game
and hid them from their encm
A little apart from the 1t an
aged Pawncc brave and his So Sew
cra years before, they had lo> a,.ghter
by death. To supply this loss in some
measure, the child Of a white trappcr had
been stolen and adopted.
This child WAS an interesting girl Of
eight years of age. Although she was in
constable at first at being torn from her
parents and friends, she at length became
more rcc"nclc, to her new situation, and
learned to regard the Pawncc and his squaw
rs parents. Bu, time could never entirely
suhluc the fond yearl,ings of her heart to
Lc again with her own race and real kin
drcd.
AS wears went on. form of uncommon
lovclinc>S developed itself in the wilderness.
The dark hair grew darker and more glossy.
The spt AMI expressive eyes grew mere soft
and expressive. The rich, beautiful tintS of
,.1 II
The step that was 1T trs, faltcrng and slow,
grew firm and bounding. Her Indian pa
rents were proud of their daughter, and her
red brethren called her The "VaIlry Flower"
She was in ;ru,l, the f:,ireSt flower that ever
b!oS>"m'"l on the margin of the strcamlct.
She had learned the simple arls If savage
li''. with readiness. She had even improved
upon them, us the manner of making her
toilet would testify. Her dress WAS more
graceful :r"l becoming, than that of any of
the Pawnrr mailens.
The valley Flower" was beloved hv
all, and her young footsteps watched with
delight. She had IL lover. lie WAS a Paw
nee brave, and WAS known as the bravcst
Of the brave His nane was Waon,la.-
A more noble looking warrior could no; he
found among his tribe. lie had power
fnl figure, commanding air, and face
which could safely he called handsome.
His heart and disposition were in keeping
with the prrl">srssing exterior which ma
turc had given linn.
""onda's love for the "Valley Flower"
was ike deeply in the inward nature. Vet
dclirae aud unoh,rusive. 1t seemed more
like silent worship from Il distance He
did not oh!rnac himself upon her society,"
he did not annoy her with his presence
he did not vex her with Useless importantly
The VALLEY Flower" WAS not i,,scnsibIe to
l's merits, but. unfortunately for him, she
d"l not love him. She had fixed her
thoughts upon another. A war party in an
engagement with n party of Sioux, had ia
Ke" white prisoner among others. He
WAS young man from St. Louis, who, led
by the love of adventure and hunting, had
sought those wild aud savage regions HIS
name was Henry Wyman. His fate for a
long :inc remained Undecided Meanwhile
he was permitted to mingle with his cap
tors freely. although al! chance of escape
was carefully guarded against.
lie SAW the "Valcy Flower" and after
that felt but little inclination to leave the
Pawnee village. lie neglected no oppor-
tun'ty to he with her 1t would hav. Le.n
singular for 81 maiden like her to have seen
one OF her "w" race, y"nng, accomplished,
frank, and reckless Of danger, without emo:
ton. Wy,nan's love was recprocated with
warmth. Weeks passed on, and he I,a al
most forgotten. in the society of the "Val-
ley Flower" that he was prisoner.
Time had passed so agrccably, that he
began to dream Of security, and that no
danger mcnacel him. lie sat by the
streamlct with the rustic maiden, and laid
plans for the future. lie would marry her.
They would leave the Indians anil in some
delightful scrlusion pass their days in peace.
Not neigi'bor should be near them. BE.
ing all the world TO each other, they wonld
not feel the need of other companiouslip.
The cottage in which they would live.
should he reared by their own hands. It.
should be built in a valley morc pleasant
than any they had seen. 1t should he SO
secluded ard obscure, that no savage foot
should ever find it. Its blessed solitude
should be sacred to themselves. They
would teacl, the sweet-scented woodbine to
climb over it, and encircle every portion in
its grateful embraces. Their home should
be more delightful tl,an that Of the sylvan
: dcitics Flowers and csculcnt plants should
spring up all about them. The wild game
tha: would serve them for food, would
browse at their door. His trus,y rifle
x.ehouM bring IL down and her hand sl,nuld