Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-12-25
g GBrillmg storp,
From the Cayuga Chief.
THE TRAppER'g STORY.

"You needn't laugh, young man. I've
seen bolder hearts as your'n, soften at dan
ger. I've been in these woods, this nigh
upon forty years, and have seen ugly marks
of many an ugly scrimmage, and have seen
comrades as never know'd fear, shuu the
White Wolf. faint for such you to
make light of such things"
There was solcmnity and sternness in the
old Trapper's voice, and the fire of a still
warm heart, kindled moment in his old
dim eye, as he slowly twisted an immense
chew from the plug, and thrust it thought
fully into his cheek The young hunter ad
dressed, assumed more guarded tone as
he watched the old man with interest. 'Tcll
US of the White Wolfw was the request of
the company, urged in the most deferential
manner.
The night was we'll advanced, the sky dra-
ped in heavy ain-clouds, and the increasing
winds sweeping ftfully and mournfully
through the forest. The waning campfire
sent its Pickering glare family out into the
surrounding darkness; the tall pine trunks
standing out from the inky blackness be-
yond, like ghastly forms.
"Punch up the fire." said the Trapper,
still gazing motionless into the embers. The
wood was tossed on until the sparks and
fame shot upwards in a ruddy glare and
shivered cheerily upon the faces of the cir
Gle.
Just then howl, clear, long-drawu, and
fearfully dismal IN its tone, came swelling up
from the valley, upou the winds. There was
a slight movement in the Trapper's muscles,
and paler shadow crept for the moment,
over his wrinkled and swarthy features.
"It alters comes on such nights as this :"
murmured the old man, his gaze still look
ing into the fire. Even among those brave
men, there was an involuntary movement
towards the fire, at the sound from the for
est, and the young man, who had laughed at
the old mans superstitions, paled about the
lips, and cast hurried glance over his shoul-
der, into the forest
"Two and thirty year ago, next Christ
mas" slowly commenced the Trapper, "l
came into these woods, and nobody with me,
'cept Jed Williams and his sister,"
The Trapper hesitated moment, as some
sad memories seemed to come upon him, and
his voice grew as tender and tremulous as a
woman's.
"Jed was as true boy as ever drew a
sight, and uncommon skilled he was, in all
kinds of wood-craft. The Ingin himself,
could not sarkumvent Jed Williams, and the
crack of his rifle was sartin' death to every
critter. Jed Williams sister-wal boys, u
said the Trapper, half deprecatingIy, as il
ashamed of his emotion, 81 can't help it,
but these things take a dreadful deep hold
on me at times, though may be you young
men will wonder why Old Dave, as they cal
him, should grow tender at the mention o.
a woman. But was young then, and by
the gods, boys" continued he, with tremu
lous energy, as if struggling to choke dowr
rising feelings, "a fairer, or more beautiful
critter never bloomed in the woods" The
hunter hesitatcd moment, unclenched hi:
hard hand, aud hastily and slyly brushed {
large drop from the rough cheek, aud con
tinued, ed,-"Yes, she war lovable GAL a.
trim as pine, and as lightfooted as a fawn
Her eye was mild, and yet it would kindc
look through one, and her voice was swee
as the dancing waters. Well, boys, to tel
the truth, for I feel kind O like talking to
night, 1 thought an uncommon sight of Ma
ry Williams. 'Twan't often in hunter
lifetime, that such strip of sunshine streak
ed his trail. felt, I did, as though own
ed the whole Norwest, and hadn't care 70
the future. .-