Litchfield enquirer., 1856-03-27
The Trapper's Revenge.
A Legend of the Hudson.

A Legend of the Hudson.
 On the shores of the Hudson, in times long since passed away, an isolated being lived, bear ing the name of Nick Wolsey His solitary home was in the valley of the highlands about a mile from the rivers bank, and his occupation consisting in hunting and trapping and trading for furs with the Indians. He was tall and guant, with a peculiarly stern and even melan- choy expression of features, and from his lonely gloomy habits seemed to claim no kith or kin.- red with any living creature. The only com panion Of his hours was a grisly deer hound whose speed and strength often ovcrmatched the fleetest buck and once he closed with a silver panther and despite the monsters furious struggles tore the wind-ppe from his throat Crouching before the fire in the log cabin, he would watch every move and gesture of his mas ter. and be ready as his shadow to obey the beck and look
 Thus years had come and gone, and still found no change in the trapper's home
 Que day party of Inians of the Penob- scot tribe approached his dwelling, and proifer- ed skins for the white mans fre-water and gun. powder. Among them was girl of singular beauty, and with her Nick became suddenly and deeply enamored. As he looked at her full, round and faultless form. his eyes flashed with the fire in his veins, and the volcano of passion burst through every fibre of his frame No soon- CT was this feeling engcndercd than he stroye 10 win the tawny skin, as many fair one has beeu won. by pouring gifts in her lap; aud long before cessation of his profusencss took place, dozens Of strings of beads were twined round her arms and neck, and rings and baubles of all kinds bedccked her person. Then the whisky flask was proffercd gratuitously to the company, and Nick's suit progressed with the brightness and velocity of a sky rocket. In a short time demand was made for the rcd mans daugh- ter. accompanied by present of ha.chet and knife to her father, and a willing consent cb. taincd.
 A chief whose fiery glance showed the effects ot the potent dram, bent his bow and winged aa arrow perpcndicrarly to the clouds, and as it drove into the earth quvering with the force, directed the trapper to remain by the side of the weapon. Then he shot one some hundred yards in direct line, and the expected bride was conducted to the spot where it fell, by her father and friends
 A third was then driven into the ground a few feet from where he stood. and the chief who acted as the priest in the ceremony addressed Nick Wolsey. by saying as he again pointed an aTow upwards eff my white brother would win the bind be mnst win her ere she gains her nest :" and drawing his bow the arrow twang- cd from the string and away rushed the trap pcr at the signal For brief second the CO quctte seemed resolved to reach the goal which would have freed her from the plighted faith hut stepping suddenly in her rapid path, she turned on her heel and threw herself with a ringing langh into Nick's outstretchcd arms.-- \ shout Of triumph announced the success oi his suit {: and to all. sare enc, the completion appeared to give great satisfaction This was aa Indian youth, an undeclared lover of the trapper's bride. In secret he had worshppet the idol of his affection. trusting that time would enable him to gain the prize and when his hope seemed rpening, he saw her thus lost to him and lost forever.
 May the great spirit strengthen my arm !' said he, dashing forward with all his savage na. ture rauseu within him: and Ike tiger spring ing upon his prey he was about burying his knife between the shoulders of the unsuspecting 'rspper, when backwards he went to the earth ss fl whisting bullet had crashed through his brain. in the grip of Nck's deer hound.
 Hloa ]" exclaimed the trapper releasing his wife from an embrace resembling n rri,zlv bear in tenderness. Why, what's this about eh!"
 The drawn knife in the fallen Indan's rrasp and his ferocious aspect quickly revealed tho eaase ofthe dogs attack who continued to pir h;m 10 the ground in his torturing hold.
 Art jealous. man r said Nick, laughing ssd bestowing kick of no gentle force on hi pEostrate enemy. ..Art jealous '" And lift ing him from the earth, after snatching th. blade from him. he coifed him amid the jibei aud jeers of the tribes, far away from the scene of his sad discomfture
 Months rolled away. and the maple leaf wort the tinge ef autumn. and Nick Wolsey was ( doesng father. Upon returning from examin ing hss trsrs very late one evening, he wa. soraewhat astonished aud not a little yexed. al bis wifes neglecting to meet him according ts vented custom, some short distance from ths log cabin
 "where is Minamce, I wonder ln said he strsding towards the door: and as he reached