Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-04-16

you feel very-Sery badf' she enqu'red
with smile.
Mr. Gardiner elasped the sweet child IN
his arms and imprinted kisses upon her
cherry lips. Tears stole unbiddon to his
eyes.
"oh shame, papa :" she cried. ",hcrc's
tear you know you used 70 tell brother
that It was not manly to weep. So I've
caught you. But mus, q and feed my
hsh, they will all be waiting for their meal.
You don't like to be kept waiting. nor do
they"
Away she bounded, merrily laughing and
tossing her rinsIets in the air, the very em.
bodimen, Of a happy soul.
Under the care Of the laborious farmer,
the crop. progressed fvornhly, and prom.
iscd fair return. The household economy
under the .killml conduct OIL hi. wife was
quite as prosperous. The little stock in
poultry aud swine that had b"en brought
with them fouri.hed finely. aud altogether
their prospects were ait,cribg. II one day
occurred To Mr.. Gardiner that it would be
we'll for him 10 ride some little distance up
the river with view To ascertain whether
,herc might not bc some one residing near
them, designing to make .inilar excursion
down the strram az some future time for
the same purpose. As thcrs was no press
ing work upon his little farm that nerdci
immediate attention, he departed on his or.
rand, promising TO return before nIghtfall.
lie rode some dozen miles over tho broad
prairie, still keeping to the rivers bank,
until he espied small column of smoke.
somewhat inland, arising pcrpcndicularly
10 the clouds SupposinS this To bc an eyi.
dencc Of civilization. or NJ least proof that
he was not alone in the wilderness, he urged
his horse towards it. Hardly, however, bad
ho proccclei a mile, ere a loud yell. as il
from the throat. Of a dozen Wild devils,
smotc his ear. IN moment after. uprising
from the long grass whero they bad lain
concealed. there rushed towards him I've
mounted Indians, waving over their head
the terrible tomlhawk. and seemed inteut
on hi, destruction. With the rapidlty ol
lightning hc raised and di.chars'I hi. gan.
one ol the rel butchers tell from hi, horse
hicIe.,. lie managed, during the pane
that cusucl, to rclhad, and a, they again
rushed towards him, shot another ia mid
career. There was now but thrcc, aud they
came upon him with such .pcci that hc was
iorccl - sling hi. rile across his shoulder
aud turn to de-.
The race was an animated one 4; the la.
iiu. wrre all mounted on ,wii, Mustangs.
Mr.. GARDENERS horse was not slow one,
aud wildly the whole party dew over the
prairie. There was one advantage possess d
by the horses Of the Indians, they wcr, used
to travelling amid the long grass, aud, hay-
Ing tits fact in their favor, It was no, rs.
tonishins that they gained slowly on the
pur'aci.
Supposins that demonstration made
with his ride, might stop thcm, Mr. GardI-
ner pointed j. full at tho breast Of the fore
most warrior lie was not mistaken. The
moment that they perceived the wcapou
pointed towards than, they checked their
speed, and with wild yell dar,ed Of in an.
other direction across the prairie. Seeing
their apparent, change Of purpose. the far.
mer now permitted his hors, To walk, sup.
posing Of course, that he would not be again
, interrupted.
81 had no idea ,hose redskins were here,
about" be soliloquil,i. Where can they
have come from. And what can be their
, business. am sorry that was compelled
to shoot any Of their number, but better 50,
than that wife and Amy should have lost
, their protector"
H. pattcd his horse. neck and sp,k'
words Of cheer To him. IL now occurred 1,
: him to load hi. ria~, as he might pps.ibIy
need It again. lie dill 50.
"Come, Blurbcard 90 he said To the faith
ful animal, "we must push alead u get
home We wall be looked for anXiously
Who knows but what thesq unfee!ing
wrc,ches may b prowlins around our Owl
home.
These thoughts seemed to hurry him on
; Again they were in swift motion towards
the clearing. lie soon struck into the woods
'and rapidly left the prairie behind. As h,
: came in sight Of his home, he discovered hi
wife some distance on the road towards him
.. .. gesticula,ing violently, aud bcckonins hin
, onward. Ilis heard almost sank within hin
as he observed her.
What is the matter, wiie?" he askeC
with terrible apprehension.
Amy is gone! She has been stolen =
answered the wrctched wife, down who's
, cheeks tears Of agony were coursins thei'
rapid way.
"By whom ?" be asked but his hear
: told him already. lie had arrived too late
~ know not by whom" she replied
"She was there IN front OF the cabin iev
moments since. heard .er scream, an,
rushed out to save her, but she va, gone
looked everywhere, but without success
Quick, husband, dismount will lea
!, Bluebcard to the stable. Strike into tn
forest here. They cannot have gone far
Oh my child my child!"
Mr.. Gardner could speak no consolinj
words, nor dare he tell her what he feared
/, lie said, A" Go back TO the house, wife loa'