Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-11-14
Mistellanruns,
THE INDIAN CHEZ.

The following beautiful story is literally
true, and was first published in lecture de-
liyered by WIN. Tracy. Esq of Utica New
York, on the carly history of Oneida Co:
One of the first settlers in Western New
York was Judge W, who established
himself in Whitestown-about four miles
from Utica. He had brought his family
with him, among whom was a widowed
daughter with an only child-a fine boy
about four years old. You willrecolleet the
country round was an unbroken forest, and
this was the domain of the savage tribes.
Judge W saw The necessity of keep
ing on good terms with the Indians, for, as
he was nearly alone, he was completely at
their mercy. Accordingly he took every
opportunity to assure them of his kindly
feelings. and to secure their good will in re-
turn. Several of the chiefs came 70 see
him, and all appeared pacific. But there
was one thing that troubled him; an aged
chief. of the Oneida .ribo, and one of great
iinhucnce, who resided at defiance of a
dozen miles, had not vet been to see him,
nor could he ascertain the views and feelings
of the Sachemy in respect to his settlement
in that region. AT last he sent him a mos
sage, and the answer was that the chief
would visit him on the morrow.
True to his appointment, the Sachem
came. Judge W received him with
marks of respect, and introduced his wife,
his daughter and his little boy. The inter
view that followed was interesting. Upon
its result the Judgewas convinced his secu-
sritv might depend, and he was therefore ex-
scee6inrlv anxious to make a favorable i'm
-pressien upon the distinguished chief He
expressed his desire to settle in the country
TO live on terms of amity and good fellow
ship with tbe Indians and to be useful to
them bY Introducing civilization.
The Chief heard him out, and then said /:
1Brother you ask much and you promise
much What pledge can you give Of your
faith2 The white mans word may begood
to the white man, yet It is wind when spo-
ken 10 the Indian
81 have put my life in your hands" said
the Judge, dis not that evidence of my good
intentions! l have placed confidence in the
Indian, and will not believe that he viii
abuse or betray the trust that is sreposed."
isSo much is wei" replied the chief, ''the
Indian will repay confidence with confidence,
If YOU will trust, he will trust you.
i'Let this boy 90 with me to my wigwam
Il will bring him back in three days with
my answer"
If an arrow had pierced the bosom of the
mother, she could not have felt deeper
pang than went TO her heart as the Indian
made this proposal. She sprang forward,
and running to the boy, who stood at the
side of Sachem looking into his face with
pleased wonder and admiration, she encir-
cled him in her arms, and, pressing him to
her bosom, was about to fly from the room.
A gloom and omnibus frown came over the
Saehem's brow, but he did not speak.
But not so with Judge W. He knew
that the success of their enterprise, and the
lives of their family, depended on decision
of a moment .5
HStay, stay, my daughter" he said.-
airing back the boy 1 beseech you. He
is not more dear to you than to me. l would
not risk hair of his head. But, my child.
he must 90 with the Chief Goodwill watch
over himl He will be as safe in tho Sach-
ems wigwam, as beneath our own roof"
The agonized mother hesitated for mo-
Ineut, she then slowly returned, placing the
boy on the knee of the Chief andkneeIing
at his feet burst into flood of tears, The
gloom passed from tho Sachem's brow, but
he said not a word. He arose and depar-
ted. ~
shall not attempt to describe the agony
of the mother for the ensuing davs. She
was agitated by eontending hopes and fears.
In the night she woke from sleep; seeming
to hear the screams of the child calling on
It's mother fos help. But the time wore
slowly away-and the third day came. How
slowly did the hours pass. The morning
waned away, noon arrived yet the Saehem
came not. There was a gloom over the
whole household, The mother was pale
and silent. Judge W walked the floor
to oand fro, going every few minutes to the
door, and looking through the opening in
the forest towards the Sachem's abode.
AS the last rays of the setting sun were
thrown upon the tops of the trees around,