New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-05-04
The Indian Chief
OR THE TEST OF A MOTHERS CONFIDENCE.

One Of the first settlers in Western New York was
Judge W, who established himself in Whites
town, about four miles from Utica. He brought nls
family with him, among whom was widowed dangn-
ter with an only child-a fine boy about four years
old You will recollect, the country around was an
unbroken forest and this was the domain OF the saw
age tribes ,-.;u,. -,
rood terms with the Indians, for, as he was nearly
Alone. be was completely At their mercy. According
IL he took every opportunity 70 assure .he, u MS
kindly feelings, and to secure Their gooa VIII N re-
turn, Several Of the chiefs came to see him, and all
apneared pacific. But there was one thing that
troubled him an aged chief Of the Oneida TRIBE and
one of great influence who resided OF distance OF
dozen miles, had not yet been to see MN, nor couid
he ascertain the views and feelings OF the sachem in
rspect to his settlement in that region. AT last he
sent him message, and the answer was that the
chief would visit him on the morrow.
True to his appointment, the sachem came Judge
W. received him with marks OF respect, and INTRO
terview that followed was interesting Upon its re-
suit the Judge was convinced his security might de-
pend and be was therefore exceedingly anxious to
make favorable impression 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 intro
dueing among them the arts Of civilization.
The chief heard him out and then said" Brother,
can YOU give Of your faith? The white mans word
NAV be good to the white man, yet it is wind when
spoken to the Indian :,
al have put my life in your hands," said the
Judge " is not that an evidence OF my good nten,
tons? have placed confidence in the Indian, and
will not believe that he will abuse or betray the trust
| that is thus reposed."
$50 much is well, . replied the chief the Indian
will repay confidence with confidence II you VIII
trust him he will trust you. Let this boy go with me
| to nv wipwam-I will bring him back in three days
with my answer"
she could not Fave felt deeper pang than went tc
| her heart as the Indian made this proposal. she
gprang forward, and running to the boy, who stood
at the side OF the sachem, looking into MS ace WIN
pleased wonder and admiration, she encirced him in
her arms and pressing him to her bosom, was about
fly from the room gloomy ana an a n3 snna
/ But not SO with Judge W. he knew Una,
the success of their enterprise the lives of his
| family-depended on the decision Of moment.
Stay stay my daughter ne SAD. d bfng oa ac
than to me. would not risk hair OF his head. But
nv child he must 20 with the chief. God Will watcf
over him He will be as safe in the sachems WlgWan
as beneath our own roof.
then slowly returned, placed the boy on the knee
the chief and kneeling at his feet burst into oo6
! Of tears The gloom passed from the sachems brow
| but he said not word. He arose and departed.
We shall not attempt to describe the agony OF tn
mother for the ensuing days. She was agitated b,
contending hopes and fears. In the night she awok
from Sleep seeming to hear the screams of the chilli
calling on its mother for help. But the time wor
1 slowly away and the third day came. How slow.
did the hours pass The morning waned away; nool
arrived yet the sachem came not There was
gloom over the whole household The mother wa
4 pale and SILENT Judge W. paced the floor t.
and fro, going every few minutes to the door, AM
looking through the opening in the forest towards tn
4 sachem's abode -
At last, as the rays of the setting sun were throw
upon the treetops around, the eagle feathers OF thu
chief were seen dancing above the bushes in the dis
4 lance. He advanced rapidly, and the little boy wa
at his side. He was gaily attired as young chief
his feet being dressed in moccasins fine beaver ski
was on his shoulders, and fine beaver skin was OF
his shoulders, and eagle feathers were stuck in hi
hair He was in excellent spirits, and so proud was
he Of his honos that he seemed two inches taller thar
| he was before. He was soon in his mothers arms
4 and in that brief minute she seemed to pass from
death to life. 1t was very happy meeting-too hap
py for US to describe.
\ "The white man has conquered, !" said the sachem
thereafter let us be friends. You have trusted an In
dian ; he will repay you with confidence and friend
ship
He was as good as his word, and Judge W
lived for many years in peace with the Indian tribes
and succeeded in laying the foundation of fiorish
i ing and prosperous community.