Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1859-04-22
THE SETTLER AND HIS SERVANT.
A TALE OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.
BY EMERSON BENNETT.


Just before the breaking out Of this com
monty known as Lord Dunmores war a
man by the name Of Parker settled in the
western part of Virginia, on small creek
that emptied itself in the Ohio. His family
consisted of his wife and three children
ranging from FIVE to twelve, and negro
servant The place where he located was
some distance from any settlement or station
and the scenery around very wild and ro-
mantle, with lofty and heavily wooded hills
sloping back from the valley. lie brought
his family here early in the spring, built
himself rude log cabin, and by great eGer-
ton sucoeeded in planting a considerable
patch Of ground the same season.
One day near the close of summer, as Mr..
Parker and his negro, Tom, were at work in
the woods, about half mile from the dwel~
ling the latter, who had gone to the creek
near by, came hurrying back, with an ex-
preston of alarm depicted on his black face
We'll, Tom, what's the matter with you
now 2 inquired his master, suspending his
work to look at the frightened domestic.
'Oh, Mars Jonas, answered Tom, in q
quivering voice, looking fearfully around as
he spoke, tink seed sulin down dar.'
You arc always seeing something WON
buC ObubEs Dub IL
turns out very triaing affair. Did you see
black in the water when you stopped down
to drink
Don't larf Mars Jonas Groat Golly / seed
eyes in the bnshes-'relse neber seed nufl
fin re-nuiIin-durin dis life.
We'll, eyes are not apt to hurt ANYBODY
Tom, returned Mr. Parker, with laugh /;
I've seen good many eyes in my time
Yes, but Mars Jonas il is difference what
they's 'tached to-
That's very true, Tom. Well, what did
your eyes belong toT
Il tink de eyes / seed was 'tached upon de
head of big lnjun.'
'Ah 7 exclaimed the other appearing for
the first time little startled, why did you
not say that you thought so in the first place
you laundering fool2 Pshaw there are no
Indians about here, except in your imagin,
alton. What makes you think it was an In
dianT
Case tink de Injun was dar, dats all,
muttered the black, looking timidly around
him. Il tink, Mars Jonas, we had better go
down to the house and tect Missus and chill
dren
4 believe il would be folly for us to do so,
said Mr.. Parker, for ! am almost certain
you have seen nothing at all Still you have
made me uneasy, will 60 back but if you
fool me many times, look out for tanning.
Use not de chile to fool you, Mars Jonas,
said Tom hastily gathering up his tools,
whilst his master took up his rifle, which
was leaning against tree, and casting his
eyes warily about him, proceeded to exam
inc the printing No, Use not de chile to
fol Mara > III
ly. And il j didn't zee the most horrible
eyes-and dem ar eyes Injnns-den neber
seed muffin
Mr.. Parker now suggested that it might
be as well to 60 down to the creek and make
search through the bushes but to this
proposition the negro excitedly demurred- -
saying that ifthere were Indians, they would
be certain TO shoot him before be could take
them.
That's true Tom, replied the other, 'but
] do not believe there are any Indians down
there. However, as you seem so much alarm
cd, and as | am willing to admit the possi-
bility oi such thing we will return home.
Accordingly Mr.. Parker and his servant
set of along the side of the hill, to point
where they could get view Of the dwelling,
he carrying the rifle so as 10 be ready for
AhDhehN Wv NAN hAA0 H0t5hO hC0pAhk CAObb ~
his heels, with the axes and other imple-
ments, and both looking warily about them
scanning every tree and bush
Nothing occurred to justify the alarm OF
the negro until they reached the edge ofthe
corn field, which ran down to the house
when Mr., Parker was just in the act of reI
proving his servant for exciting bis fears
without cause, there suddenly came reports
of thraa ar four riaaa in ouieb an naco.ainu.
instantly followed by wild Indian yells-and
both Tom and his master dropped together,
the latter struck by two balls, one in the side
and the other in the leg
'Ohmy God my poor family, he groaned
as he gathered himself upon his feet, and
beheld ,he negro stretched out upon his
back apparently dead, and the Indians with
a savage yell Of triumph, in the act Of bonnd-
ing forward to finish their work and secure
the scalps Of their victims
~ ma aoNFISfRn