The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1857-01-22

She was the bright star chat was neye
clouded, though the storm ragged ever 81
threateningly.
Despite of the little duties which sh'
had arranged to perform, and the wile'
and new accomplishments of wonderful
baby May, the days dragged quite slow
ly away.
"Oh, dear +" sighed Alice upor
Thursday afternoon, do you think they
aoW return this evening, Mrs. Potter -
can't say. certing, Mrs. Lancaster
any more'n you. But, if nothing hap
pens to keep them to Bear River more Il
they expect, l think it's very likely they
may get back to night, Howsomever,
I'd advise ye not to look, and then you i
not be disappointed. That's my way oI
keepin' contented."
:" | suppose that is the wisest way, Mrs
Potter, and | II try to follow your exam
pie. But just think /! this is the longest
time he has been away from me since we
were married"
" Law sus wait till you've been mar
red ten year, and your husbands been
away nigh on to three months at time
you'll begin to get wonted to it then
Oh, am sure never could % said
the young wife,
Waal, l must say I was mighty tick
led to see Peter when he came back
from the West arter me and the children
I'd cen Almost began to fear he'd been
killed and scalped by the Injuns.''
All in what suspense you must have
been! rejoined Alice. "Do you know, )"
after moments pause, during which
she threaded her needle" that have
never seen an Indian--one of the native
sons of the forest? I have heard so
much of them that | have great curiosi-
ty to meet them. I should like to peep
at them (ifI I could unseen, for 1 confess
| am little afraid of them in their own
wigwams, or during one of their midnight
meetings by their council fires"
+" Well, / mustsay I hate em they're
snaky set" said Mrs. Potter.
q suppose they are not at all trouble
some about here "
No, they aint now. But the settlers
in this country few years ago had rea-
son to rue their acquaintance. Govern
ment has bought 'em off, nov, and they re
all friendly and peaceable. There's a
station for supplies only twenty or thirty
mile to the north of here. Gracious y
Alice looked up at the sudden termina-
ton of Mrs. Potter's speech. She was
sitting almost in the door, and, as she
raised her eyes, which had been busy
with her sewing, they fell upon at least
one hundred dusky Indians, who had sto-
len silently upon the sward in front of the
house. She uttered scream unconscious
ly, and turned very pale. The unwel-
come visitors thought this good joke,
and set up yells and shrieks of delight,
brandishing their guns and bows, dane
ing, and making all kinds of uDcouth
gestures. azs
:" Don't let 'em see you're afraid"
spoke Mrs. Potter, in low voice, .sor
p'r'aps they'll be little sassy. There's
no reason to be scared. THEY'VE been
up to the station, and are on their way
home, I should think from their looks
SO, of course, they'll be very good -natur-
ed. They're friendly tribes !; I know
EN- Saying this, she seated herself in
the door, and looked composedly at them
Seeing they could not frighten her, they
ceased to brandish their weapons, and
gathered closer about. Some Of them,
could talk little English, asked for
fire. water. She told them she had none,
but she knew they had plenty, for they
nad just come from the station. Then
hey showed her the trinkets and new
clothes they had received. Twenty or
thirty squaws stood in the background, |
bearing sacks of corn on their shoulders.
The whole party seemed in the best of
and jingled the money they had
eceived in little wampum bags fastened
o their belts. Several of them pressed
)ast Mrs. Potter into the cabin. She let
hem do as they wished. The beauty of
Alice attracted great attention; and one
;hief signi6ed that he would give her ALL
he silver in his pouch if she would be
lis squaw She had recovered from her
irst alarm, and looked at them pleasantly
,ut, when they began to touch her
hild, and talk among themselves how
pretty it was, she felt very nervous.--
)ne gray-headed old chief took it in his
lrms, and was going to walk off with it,
not dreaming of his intention, and
title May smiling and stroking his face.
,Irs. Potter arose and took her from him,
estoring her to her mother. He then
rev out fifty cents and offered for the