The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1858-05-20

sOue lWo-and twenty years OF age, OF q
fine commanding person, and clear, open,
intelligent countenance; and in the lofty
carriage of his head-in the gleam of his
large, bright, hazel eye-there WIS some
thing which denoted one Of superior mind
but as we shall have occasion in the course
of our narrative to fully set forth who and
what Eugene Fairfax was, we will leave
him for the present, and turn to the ap-
Iproaching group, whom he seemed to be
regarding with lively interest.
Of this group, composed of a middle
aged man and four females, with black
female servant following some FIVE or six
PAGES in the rear, there was one whom
the most casual eye would have singled
out and rested upon with pleasure. The
lady in question, was apparently about
twenty years of age, of a slender and
graceful figure, and of that peculiar cast
of feature, which, besides being beautiful
in every lineament, rarely fails to affect
the beholder with something like charm.
Her travelling costume fine brown
habit, high in the neck, buttoned closely
over the bosom and coming down to her
small pretty feet, without trailing on the
ground-was both neat and becoming /;
and with her riding-cap and its waving
ostrich plume, set gaily above her flowing
curls, her appearance cOntrasted forcibly
with the rough, unpublished looks of those
Of her sex beside her, with their linsey
bed-gowns, scarlet flannel petticoats, and
bleached linen caps.
ooh, Blanche" said one of the more
venerable of her female companions, pur-
suing conversation which had been main
tanned since quitting the open fort behind
them, :" l cannot bear to let you 90; for
it just seems to me as if something were
going to happen to you, and when | feel
that way, something generally does hap
pen."
"Well, Aunt returned Blanche, with
light laugh, Z" do not doubt in the least
that something will happen-for l expect
one of these days to reach my dear father
and blessed mother, and give them such
an embrace as is due from dutiful daugh-
ter to her parents-and that will be some
thing that has not happened for two long
years at least"
But don't mean that, Blanch," re-
turned the other, somewhat petulantly !;
"and you just laugh like gay and thought
less girl, when you ought to be serious.
Because you came safe thus far, through
partially settled country, you think, per-
haps, your own pretty face will ward off
danger in the more perilous Wilderness
but | warn you that fearful journey is
before you! Scarcely boat descends the
Ohio, that does not encounter more or
less peril from the savages that prowl
along either shore aud some of them that
90 down freighted with human life, are
heard of no more, and none ever return
to tell the tale"
"But why repeat this to me, dear aunt, "
returned Blanche, with more serious air,
F" when you know it is my destiny, either
good or bad, to attempt the voyage? Ny
parents have sent for me to join them in
their new home, and it is my duty to go
to them, be the peril what it may"
"You never did know what it was to
fear" pursued the good woman, rather
proudly. /" No" she repeated, turning to
the others, " Blanche Bertrand never did
know what it was to fear, believe"
"Just like her father.' joined in the
husband of the matron, the brother of
Blanche's mother, the commander of the
station, and the middle-aged gentleman
mentioned as one of the party; "a true
daughter of true soldier. Her father,
Colonel Philip Bertrand, God bless him
for true heart never did seem to know
what it was to fear-and Blanche is just
like him."
By this time the parties had reached
the boat; and the young man already de-
scribed-Eugene Fairfax, the secretary of
Blanche's father--at once stepped forward,
aud, in polite and deferential manner,
offered his hand to the different females,
to assist them on board. The hand Of
Blanche was the last to touch his-and
then but slightly, as she sprung quickly
and lightly to the deck-but close OBJ
server might have detected the slight
flush which mantled his noble, expressive
features as his eye for single instant
met hers. She might herself have seen
it-perhaps she did-rut there was no
corresponding glow on her own bright,
pretty face, as she inquired, in the calm,
dignifed tone of one having the right to
put the question, and who might also have
been aware of the inequality of position
between herself and him she addressed:
Eugene, is everything prepared for
our departure 1t will not do for our
boat to spring leak again, as it did COM
ing down the Kanawha-for it will not be
safe for us, | am told, to touch either
shore between the different forts and trad
ing posts on our route, this side of our
destination,- Falls of the Ohio"
"No, indeed!' rejoined her aunt, quick
ly, +" it will be as much as your lives are
worth to venture foot from the main