Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1859-09-02
THE CRESCENT OF GOLD.
A LESSON FOR LITTGANTS.


tlement the results usually being disastrous
all concerned. We recommend those perso
especially who are about engaging in a Ia
suit, to read it attentively, for they may
satisfied that at best it will be but the bistol
of Maxi, the Indian, who lost his two ears
obtaining something with which to ornamel
them:
Among the innumerable islands which stu
the Mississippi, there are two of moderate e.
fent but of unparalleled fertility. Wild oa
erov there in abundance and without cultiv
ton: the trees are loaded with cones of nutr
cious nuts. .and the bushes themselves produC
in abundance of finits known under the name
sand plums. This fertility attracts the ell
and the wild goats which furnish the hunte
with prey 4; in fine the bays formed at inte
vals in the circumference OF the two island
are frequented by myriads If white tlsh, whlc
can be caught without any diiiiculty.
| Each of these islands had, how, ever, but on
inhabitant The inhabitant of the Green Isl
was named Maxi, and the one of the Round Isl
was called Barko. As their domains were bl
d short distance apart, they visited each Ottle
Jften in their bark canoes, and lived on pleas
ant terms Maxi was the best hunter, and
B;.,ho The most skilful fisherman SO they ex-
changed their booty with one another, and thus
| the comfort of both were much increased.
| In short their tasks were the same, their
riches equal, both lived on the products of
| their island both lived in hut built with his
own hands of turf and branches of trees both
had for clothing only the skin of the elk which
they had killed, and as ornaments only the
feathers of the eagle or the dried graius of the
box thorn.
But it happened one day that Barko, in cut
ting up the fish that he had Just taken, found
in the entrails of one of them d half circle OF
gold, ornaliiented with stones ofdifferent colors.
A civilized man would quickly have recognized
the crown of one of those elegant combs with
which the Mexican women then Ornamented
their head dresses but Barko had FEVER seer
anything like it. After having danced for joy
at the sight of this marvellous orhatnet he tried
it by turns as diadem necklace as pendant from
the nose and from the eat. This latter use
seemed to him the most suitable; he fastened
it there, and the half circle, solidly fixed to the
left ear, hung elegantly even to the shoulder, SO
| that it could be seen from distance.
The first thought of our savage was to run
to Maki's hut, to whom he related his good for
tune The latter stood mute with admiration
before the ear pendant of his neighbor. He
had never seen, never dreamed of anything so
magnificent. The new ornament of Barko gave
him the appearance of Il god.
But the admiration was quickly succeeded
by jealousy. Maxi yielded to it almost invol-
UNFAIRLY. Why had his neighbor found the
treasure sooner than he? Was he handsomer,
stronger, more courageous? Did not the fish
belong as well to Maxi as to Barko? Where
had he fished, he who found the ear pendant
| Was it not under the Green Isle, and eonse-
quently in his, Maki's domain?
These reflections, made at first to himself
were soon repeated aloud. Barko replied to
him with the hauteur which Ills recent happi-
ness inspired. The fish had been caught in the
middle of the stream, the gold crescent lawfully
belonged to him, and he should be able to de-
fend it, if it were necessary.
They separated, mutually displeased Left
alone; Maxi could think Of nothing else than
his neighbors ear pendant. He was indignant
with his happiness and his insolence: He re-
called all the encroachments which he had care
lessy permitted, and determined to stop them.
The next day an opportunity presented itself
Barku seeing buffalo across the river pursued
him in his canoe, and overlook him upon one
of the strands of Green Island, where he killed
him. Maxi Immediately ran up, declaring
that the animal belonged to him. The debate
became warm, and from words they came tc
blows. Bar1o, wounded, took refuge in his
canoc. swearing that he would be revenged
The inhabitant of the Green Island did not
need this menace to make him take his pre-
cautions lie knew too well what he had to
| fear from a brave and vigilant neighbOr, and
resolved to l1e beforehand with him. Profitine
by the night, he embarked noiseless, reached
Round Island, and crept to Barkos hut, wal
hatebet in hand. But the cabin was empty
He G0i.tentetl himself With setting fire to it
and returned without delay to his own domain
AS he approached it, the flames were issuing
from the midst of the trees which protected hi'
habitation. He anxiOusly ran on, for his hui
had just been burnt by Barko.
The two rteighbofs Carried ott the same ide;
of vengeaffEe and both were houseless.
This was only the prelude to the war whicl
they had declared against one at10thef. From
this day Maxi and Barko reno1nced the tran
guilty and confidence which they had hithert'
enioyed. Concealed in the groves, occupies
only with laying snares or avoiding thenf, tile.
did not dare to go out from their retreat t.
procure necessary food. They feared to Civ
themselves up to sleep, and their hatred grad
ually increased with all the miseries that eacl
imposed GU the other.
Several meetings took place without an
dfienite result except giving each of them soifl
wounds and rendering them entirely irreconci
| liable. Maxi felt his jealousy increase With hi
anger. Every time that he perceived Bark
in the distance, with the glittering ear pendan
0 his heart swelled with rage it was as it Wer
challenge thrown at his courage Wha
!: nattered the blows received by Barko, tt
# watches and the hunger which he had endure
for several months2 His ear pendant VIZ
still left He could always oppose it glorious
to the destitution of his enemy. All the efor
of the latter had been useless, and the golde
n ornament was always hanging Upon the fshe
o mans shoulder.
The thought excited in Maxi transports
d rage Unable longer to support the triumI
n of his adversary, he determined to come to
A decisive struggle.
" He then armed himself with his hatchet al
n his knife crossed by swimming the space whi
it separated him from Round Island, (for his C
f. noe and that of his neigkbor had long sin
u been destroyed,) crept stealthily up to Bari
rt and unexpectedly attacked him, at the sar
in time uttering a loud cry. But the man wi
= the ear pendant lodged the blow, which wou
have been his death, seized his arms, and G
, posed to the fury of the assailant despera
ID defense.
re. Both we're soon covered with wounds. Ma
be felt the hatehet of his enemy descend seve
- times upon his head but, carried away in
IS whirlwind of his fury, he did not stop, and ct
tinued to strike At last blow extend
in Rarko at his feet He threw himself up