Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-08-12
gahiss' department.
H INDIAN CHIEF /;

OR,

The Test Of Mothers Confidence.
One Of the FIRST settlers in Western New
York was Judge W, who established
himself in Whitestown, about four miles
from Utica. He brought his family with
him, among whom was a widowed daugh-
ter with an only child-a fine boy about
four years old. You will r~ecollect, the
country around was an unbroken forest,
and this was the domain Ct the savage
tribes.
Judge w. saw the necessity Of keep
ing Oh good terms with the Indians, for,
as he was nearly alone, he was completely
at their mercy. Accordingly he took eve.
~ opportunity TO assure them Of his kind
ly feelings, and to secure their good will
in return. Several Of the chiefs came to
sec him, and all appeared pacific. But
there was one thing that troubled him an
aged chief Of the Oneida tribe, and one of
great influence, who resided at q distance
ofa toFen miles, had not yet been to see
him, nor could he ascertain the views and
feelings Of the sachem in respect to his
settlement 10 that region. At last he
seNt him a message, and the answer was
that the chief wonld visit him on to NOR
row.
True to his appointment, the sachem
came Judge W. received him with marks
Of respect, and introduced his wife, his
daughter and little boy. The interview
that fo,.Jwed was interesting. Upon its
result the Judge was convinced his socuri-
ty might depend, and he was therefore ex-
ceedingly anxious to make a favorable i'm
preston upon the distinguished chief. He
expressed his desire to settle in the coun-
try, to live on terms Of amity and good
fellowship with the Indians, and to be
useful to them by introducing among them
the arts Of civilization.
The chief heard him out, and then said
-"Brother, you ask much, and you prom
Use much. What pledge can you give of
your faith The white mans word may
be good to the white man, yet. it is wind
when spoken to the Indian"
al have put ing life IN your hands" said
the Judge; els not that an evidence of
my good intentions2 l have placed con-
fdence in the Indian, and will not believe
that he will abuse or betray the trust that
is thus reposed."
$50 much is we'll" replied the chief f.;
"the Indian will repay confidence with
confidence; if you will trust him he will
trust you. Let this boy go with me to my
wigwam-I will bring him back in three
days with my answer"
If IN arrow had pierced the bosom of the
mother, she could not have felt a deepel
pang than went to her heart as the Indiar
made this proposal. She sprang forward
and running to the boy, who stood at tn,
side Of the sachem, looking into his fac
with pleased wonder and admiration, sh
eneircIed him in her arms, and, pressin,
him to her bosom, was about to fly fror
the room. A gloomy and ominous frow
came over the sachem's brow, bat he di
not speak.
But not so with Judge W. 3
knew the success of their enterprise,
the lives Of his family-depended on Il
decision Of a moment.
Stay, stay, my daughter,' he said. 'Brir
back the boy, | beseech you. He is N
more dear to you than to me, l would /
risk hair of his head. But, my child, l
must 60 with the chief. God will watc
over him. lie will be as safe in the sacl
em's wsgwam as beneath our own roof
The agonized mother hesitated for m
ment; she then slowly returned, placed II
boy on the knee of the the chief, and knee
ing ut his feet, burst into a flood of tear
The gloom passed from the sachem's brow
but he said not word. He arose and d
parted.
We shall Lot attempt to describe Il
agony Of the mother for the ensuing day
She was ogitatod by contending hopes an
fears. IL the night she awoke from slec
seeming to bear the screams of the chi
calling on its mother for help. But Il
time wore slowly away, and the third d.
came. How slowly did the hours pass /
The morning waned away; noon arrived
yet the sachem came not, There was
gloom over the whele household. II
mother vas pale AID silent. Judge W
paced Tue floor to and fro, going every fC
minute to the door, and looking throu,
the opening IN the forest towards the sac
en- abode.
At last, as the rays of the setting s.
were thrown upon the tree-tops arour
the eagle feathers of the chief were sc
dancing above the bushes in the distan
AN "NNu"NSN loPld'yJ ahu VIC llIIle L
was at his side. He was gaily attired
n young chief, his feet being dressed
moccasins, a fine beaver skin was on
shoulders, and eagle feathers stuck in
hair. He was in excellent spirits, ant
proud was he of bis honors that he seen
two inches taller than he was before.
was soon in his mothers arms, and in t
brief minute she seemed to pass from de
to life. 1t was a very happy meeting
happy for as to describe.
The white man has conquered said
saehem, hereafter let US be friends.
have trusted an Indian he will repay
with confidence and friendship
Tie was as good as his word, and Ju
W lived for many years in peace '
the Indian tribes, and succeeded in lay
the foundation Of a dourishing comm
ty.
Il Nother's Faith Rewarded.
venerable old lady, who looked sert
ly hannu xrae oaHol e L.. III.