Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-12-30

hatchet, and Nimrod was again called from all
he held dear. to brave the perils of wilder
ness campaign and chastise the savage foe.
Placing his beloved wife with her friends for
safety, he Joined the army. and spent the sum-
mer and autumn in the forest. At length the
enemy being driven from all their important
settlements, and their villages, corn, &C., des-
trOyed, the army returned home. What was
Nimrod's grief when he learned that his wife
was no more. He had left her in delicate
health, and anxiety for his fate preyed upon
her spirits, and finally brought on fever which
terminated in death. Nimrod though rough
uneducated back-woodsman, and spending
much OF his time in what was calculated to
harden the heart, viz, Indian warfare, was new
eTthelesS one of the most tender-hearted of
men, and loved his wife with devotedncss,
and constancy, that many husbands in ciyliz-
ed and refined society would do well to imi-
tate. For some time he was inconsolable, but
gradually his affections turned toward his in
fant daughter, and he could not follow his ac-
customed pursuit of hunting, as he could not
stay away from his child. He became melan-
choly and Stunned society, and at last conclu-
ded to carry his child TO the cabin on the hill
side, far from the clearings of the white-man,
and there enjoy its society while he followed
his business of hunting He accordingly re-
moved with his child then two years of age,
to the cabin, where he expected in the train
ing of his beloved Louise to find a pleasure
that he had sought for in vain in the hauntS of
busy men. And here did this singular man
live by aid Of his trusty rife: and the cutiva-
tion of his garden, and rear his beautiful child.
At first she was left alone while her father
went out to kill game, or went down to the
river to trade furS with the traders for such ar
ticleS as they needed. AS Louise grew up she
followed him in his excursions after game, at
times, but was not allowed to visit the landing,
when boat was expected. His excursions
were never long, as game was abundant, and
was often from the door. When she did
not accompany him she spent her time in ten
ding her garden, into which she had trans
planted many Of the wild wood flowers, in
which she took great delight. OF the world
she knew nothing except what she heard from
her father, and as he unable to read, and
had lived since childhood on the frontier, his
hHONlttBC vi Tue NOEIu WIS very IlIIilGu. IL
was his constant aim to instil into her young
heart right principles, and firm self-reliance,
which he intended should be of service to her
when deprived of his care and protection. At
the period at which our story opens the clear
ings of the white man had been pushed within
five or six miles of the hunters cabin, but We
ry seldom had Louise seen the face of hu-
kaIn oil thau har md
| once had she seen one of her own sex, since
her childhood. She lived but to minister to
her father, and to rejoice in the song of the
birds-in the whispering breeZe-in the mur
muring rill-in the babbling brook-in the
roaring river-in the humming of the bees
in the blooming of the floweTs-in the twink
ling of the stars, and in the slvery light of the
moon did Louise find food for thought, and as
she loved nature in all her forms so did she
derive pleasure from all her works. Often did
she think how happy her lot when compared
with those who were surrounded by the temp
tations of society; still there was a void in her
heart which neither the love of her father, nor
all the beauties of nature could fill. 4 longing
after the companionship of the young-a year
nIng after kindred spirit with which to hold
sweet communion, would steal over her be-
times, and dim the brightness of her lonely
forest life.
CHAPTER II.--A STRANGER AT THE CABIN.
One evening her father, who had been alb
sent some time, returned, bearing in his arms
the form of young man, who appeared to be
in state OF inscnsibiity. Her father stated
that he had found him near the river. and did
not know but that he had been foully dealt
with. After such rcstoratives as the cabin af
forded had been applied the stranger seemed
to revive little, and began to talk incoherent-
ly. Nimrod, who had knowledge of the herbs
used by the Indians in the treatment Of disea-
ses, at once prepared to act Physician to his
patient. 1t was evident that the disease was
brain-fever, whatever might have been the pre-
disposing cause of it. For many days did the
stranger rave in wild delirium, but at length
the disease abated and the patient sank into
deep calm sleep. Most faithfully did Nimrod
nurse, and watch over the young man, wonder
ing what strange circumstance had thus thrown
the son of his old General on his humanity and
his hospitality, for he had learned from the
rawlings of the young man that he was the son
of General O., under whom he (Nimrod) had
served in his last campaign against the In
dians, and who had complimented him for his
gallantry on the battle field. Louise too, was
assiduous in her attentions to the stranger, her
heart swelling with pity as she bent over INN,
bathing his burning temples. Her father gave
her what information he possessed in regard to
their guests father, but of the family he knew
nothing till Providence made him the instru-