Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-03-14
an Yutsrsstins Storu.
A TALE OF THE WEST.

vember. when the heavens were OBJ.
scured with dark. lowering clouds
sailing in quick succession. propelled
on their course by strong northeast,
er, l reached the summit Of a tire
some bill in .he western wilds, in anx
ious hopes Of seeing some habitstiou
that would afford me a nights shelter
from the threatening storm. There
Is certain. peculiar. pleasing melan.
choly. blending Joy aud sadness in
the feelings Of the human heart, that
appears to be firmly connected with
the appearance Of an autumnal day,
that. however strong may be the de.
sire to clothe the mind with cheerful
ness. we cannot wholly divest our.
selves Of those indescribable melan.
choly sensations. Thus did / feel
amid the wilderness Of nature, with
every circumstance tending to increase
the loneliness Of my situation, when
my eager ear caught the indistinci
sound Of the barking Of dog. With
the intense anxiety Of uncertain hope.
Ispurred my wesried horse briskly
on, and. when just emerging from a
narrow detile, an old dilapidated build
ing. with y rude board suspended
from a branch OF an oak that over.
shadoweL the cabin. indicating Il 10
be q public house or an inn. attracted
my sight. Although thcplacc wore a
forbidding and uncomfortable appear
ance. which promised but little re.
freshment to the way-worn traveller,
hailed it with the most animated feel
ings OF Joy. l immediately alighted.
and. after seeing my faithful beast,
which had borne bis master many long
miles. as comfortably taken care Of ms
the circumstances would admit OF. |
entered tho rude but acceptable hsbi-
ta'ion. After throwing of my cloak
and outer garments. / seated myself
In the bar room. before n large wood
Gre, that might have served TO roast
an OF, and. while awaiting supper.
amused myself by noticing other trav-
elers who came In. and who. in con.
sequence Of the storm now coming on,
and the darkness and bad stats OF the
roads. were compelled. like myself,
TO make this a hal.ing plaee.
Among the number who arrived
was an old man on foot. with pow.
der horn At his belt. and gun on bis
shoulder. who attracted my pafticulai
attention. He had all the quickness
OF motion and keenness ofeye that de-
noted the hunter. He was also known
to oil the household. rs well ms tC
some travellers. who aecosted him with
the kindly appcllation Of Uncle Natty
asking such questions and making
such remarks as showed him to be
general favorite. He appeared to bs
about sixty years OF age, tall, well set
and exhibiting one Of those iron frame,
that almost defy time to impair is ae'
tivity or strength. however II may de,
stroy the comeliness Of youth. On
mis- entrauce he deposited his gun In
the bar for safe keeping. and. after
many congratulations on the part ol
bis numerous friends. he seated him.
self BY the Gre. called for q mug ofci.
der. and taking his provisions from his
wallet. commenced eating his supper
with an appetite m alderman might
have envied.
About this timc supper was an.
nounced a. being ready In nm adjoin.
Ing apartment; and here LET mo do
justice 70 this meal as served up In
that rude, dilapldated out.of.the.way
place. II was excellent. prepared
with cleanliness and care. and consist
cd Of such substantial dishes as might
we'll stay the appetite shArpened by
cold air and long ride. and !, with
the other travellers. paid ample tribute
10 Il. Having dispatched this impor.
tnnt affair, / returned TO the bar-room.
and found q circle formed around the
are. with Uncle Natty In the center.
relating some OF his many adventures
Ia hunting. Room being made for
me--for sirsnger 10 always cordially
received on sueh oaoasions-I Joined
the company and listened 10 the mar.
rativs. which. from the manner Of the
narrator. and aferwNd from the ~.
suranees Of the landlord. who was a
very intelligent man. and was well ac.
quainled with Uncle Natty. as also
with the wiIds Of the country. l be-
lieve II to bo true. ! have seen It's
substance recorded somewhere or
other. but In this version The very
words Of the hero Of the sketch are re-
ported s literally rs possible.
About twenty-five years ago. said
Uncle Nst,y. I moved into this coun-
try. which was then much more OF n
wilderness than IL Is at present. altho'
there is not much 10 DO said about its
civilization. even now. Then no set.
Elements had been made excepting
just where this cabin stands. and IN y
lev places on the borders OF the lake,
I arrived In the spring Of the year.
and commenced n clearing on the
farm I now occupy. BY fall had
built q tolerably good log house. and
temporary stables for my cattle: had
put into the ground ten sores OF wheat,
and looked forward 10 the ensuing
year for the fruit Of my labors. My
wife and child--for I was married.
were allmy family. Neighbor there
were mono nearur than five or six
miles. 40 that visiting or amusement.
we're almcst entirely out Of the ques.
TIN. You may, therefore. suppose
that. On the approach Of lsng, north
western winter. | had ample time ts
crafty my love Of hunting. ior which
have slways had great fondncss.--
Winter had set In early. and all my
cares were confined 10 keeping sui
6cisnt stock Of wood on hand Tor fuel
which you may imagine was not dif
dcult 70 take care Of the few cattle
owned. Il was one day, l think n
the forepart OF December. when. hsv'
ing dnishsd my mo ning's work.
| took down my gun--ths same tha
| nov stands IN the bar---and told M,