White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-11-12
SfIed Gale.
EAGLE-EYE;
Or
THE DOUBLE SHOT,
BY E. A. w. HOPKINS.
A TALE OF WYOMING.

The beautiful Vale of Wyoming, Pennsylva-
MIA, became the scene of dreadful tragedy.
Through this valley the Susquehanna flows,
on the banks Of which the inhabitants Of Con-
necticut had planted colony, many years before
the Revolution. 1t became the most popnlOus
and fourishing settlement in America, and no
where perhaps on the face of the globe existed
a community of like numbers, where so much
happiness, based upon public and private virtue,
prevailed, as in the Valley Of Wyoming. In
dustry and frugality were the great temporal
characteristics of the people, and, at the same
time, stern patriotism found luxuriant nursery
there. When the war of Independence broke
out, Wyoming sent forth its youth. and during
the struggle it gave thousand soldiers to bat
tie for liberty; and yet, in the midst of that
peaceful community, party spirit raised its un-
seemly head; and soon the animosities Of Wings
and Tories became as strong there as elsewhere,
separating and severing the dearest ties.
The republicans having a majority, used
means to restrain the action Of the tories, and
even expelled several of them from the colony.
This highly e1asperated themi they swore re-
yenge-they coalesced with their savage neigh
bors; and during the summer of this year, while
nearly all the youths of the settlement were
withthe army, they resolved to wreak vengeance
Both tories and Indians lulled the inhabitants
into security by protestations of friendship, and
caused them to be less on their guard. History
Of
In the sweet vale Of Wyoming, George and
Mary RyersOn, had found pleasant resting
place, far away from the cares and turmoils Of
city life. Their wealth consisted Of convenient
farmhouse, with broad belt of rich, cultivated
land, lying along che banks Of the gentle Sus
quehanna, and tract of woodland on the noun
tain side; of sheep, cattle, horses, poultry, al
manner of implements of husbandry; everything
which ministers TO the real necessities and hap
piness Of man. There they lived and loved
acknowledging no sovereign save the Lord o.
Heaven and earth, no sristocracy save that o.
superior intelligence. During the summer months
he arose early, and busted himself with the 81
perintendence of his farm; she attended to the
management of the household, and found leisure
to look after the welfare ofthe flowers, to plan
vines and train them gracefully about the cot
tags windows, to sit in their cool shadows, ant
sing songs Of love and peace.
George RyersOn was tall, handsomely framed
with high, white forehead, dark, hazel eye
and healthsOme glow upon his cheek; Mar
was somewhat slightly made, with blue eyes
golden curls, rose-tinted cheek, and swee
smile playing forever about her lips. They were
as beautiful and pure hearted as any pair who
had joined hands for a life walk, since our frs
parents trOd the Eden paths together. They had
been fEe years married. and as yet no under
. current Of grief or bitterness had Welled up t.
+ disturb the bright surface waves Of serene OK
istence.
It was winter. The Valley of Wyoming slep
snder its hoary mantle; surrounded BY slopine
bills, whose nakeI tree tops sparkIed in the sun
7 beams, as if crowned with millions on millions
ofdiamonds; the rocks, the bushes, the rivulets
everything high and low glowed and sparkled
dazzling the sight, while along that broad, ic
bound river, the smoke of countless homes curl
ed upward, in circEing eddies, giving wild pic
turesqus character 70 the scene.