Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-04-18


"Did you say the Indians tore hear away
that the young sister of your blessed mother
was borne from her side captive l have
been dreaming ever since looked upon your
dear face-aye, for many long years have
dreamed and slumbered on but am awake
now, see it all-remember all. We were
down in that charming valley at play-she had
twined wreath of wild roses amid the curls
of my hair, and as she left me to go around by
the shore of the running stream for white
lily, they came and took me away
"You!" exclaimed Oscar and Esther, at a
breath; ssYou and are you indeed the dear
sister of our mother ? and is Nora our own
cousins Oh, how glad, how happy!''
1t was indeed happy moment. Tears were
infant upon her mothers bosom. The glad
woman sat down in the rude door way and
brushed the moisture from her smiling eyes ;
and as the little group gathered about her
and raised their happy faces to hers, and the
heart of each seemed too full for utterance,
she bowed her head again to her hands, and
the big, bright drops fresh from her spirits
shrine, trickled through them, while her whole
frame shook with the weight of pleasant and
bitter thoughts that came gushing up from
memory's disturbed fountain.
She found words at last to tell them all how
she dwelt from the time of her captivity be-
meath the roof of the great chief; how be
chief smiled upon her. She told them of the
bitter tears she shed when thinking of the
dear friends she lad left, of her sleepless
nights and cheerless days, and how, as years
rolled on she learned to love the old chief,who
was ever kind and good, and to regard the
young prince as a brother.
Then she spoke Of her unwilling marriage.
and told how tears had drenched her bridal
garb, how they bore her insensible from her
husbands arms, and took the crushed jewels
from her hair; of weeks and months of wretch
edness and pining for her early home, and
then of returning calmness alter the last
glimmering of hope had died away in her
heart. Years rolled on, and her husband, the
powerful king of warlike and bold tribe, was
killed in battle, his men taken captives, and
their vast possessions fell into the hands of
the white men; but the Young Fawn-her
darling Nora-had never been molested they
had lived in their wild home alone and almost
unknown, though she had never ceased to
mourn for the friends of early life, nor to re-
member the low, sweet tones that fell upon
her ear, and the gentle loving glance that had
so often met her gaze. True, these remem-
brances had the shadowy dimness of half
forgotten dream but still their light had ever
,been with her, Frightening her pathway through
life, and filling her lone heart with sad and
delicious emotions. Not till that day when
the sweet face of Esther came up before her
had her fond imaginings taken to themselves
form and distinctness, with the vividness of
reality but the fond Tones of the dear child
and the glance of her deep eyes had touched
a string in her inmost soul, which vibrated
like the chords of long neglected harp, and
sent forth pleasant melody.
1t was late that evening, when Oscar Dun
ham rode up to the door of his fathers house,
and he was alone. He found anxious, fearful
hearts and fearful faces awaiting him, and
when his mother looked in vain for the form
of her darling, a smothered cry escaped her
lips; but her wild eyes fell upon the smiling,
happy face of her son, and wonder and aston
ishment kept her silent. 1t was not long be-
fore they knew all and were weeping for joy at
the grateful intelligence. Morning dawned
fair and beautiful, and ere the sun reached its
height, the lone widow of the Indian chieftain
and her lovely girl had pressed to their throb-
bing bosoms the forms of those about whom
they had dreamed and communed with painful
interest through long years Of loneliness and
suspense. It was happy group that assem-
bed that day beneath the low log cabin in that
deep wilderness; and the very birds that lin
gered amid the thick leaves of the blossoming
honeysuckle seemed oppressed with gladness,
for their little throats swelled with the wild
strains that mingled with the low voices with
in; and when Anna and Edgar clapped their
tiny hands, and gazed with their laughing
eyes up to the leafy retreat, the sweet song
sters only answered their many shouts with
a louder and gladder strain, and twittered and
tremhled upon their blooming throne. Oscar
and Esther, with the happy Nora, walked down
to the rivers brink, and unmoored the little
canoe beneath the great rock, and as they
sailed gently over the bright waters and bent
their laughing faces to the smooth mirror,
they blessed the fate that brought them to-
gether, and looked with kind of fondness
upon the old tree with its dangling limb, which
had been The instrument of so much fear and
pleasure. And Mrs. Dunham and her restored
had everything to say, and their
hearts mingled lovingly together as they told
of their past-its joys and its sorrows, and
looked fondly to the future with trembling,
eager hope.
1t is many years since these events occur
red ; and the great wilderness, with the log
house of the dark, bright maiden and her fair
mother, have disappeared together; but in
the fourishing village which is built upon the
spot and on the shore of the river Ohio, near
where the cabin stood, is a large, beautiful
mansion. It's owner, Mr.. Durham, with his
gentle wife and dark eyed children, remembers
with pride his noble grandfather, over whose |
grave the grass is still fresh and green, and
the meek and loving partner. who sleeps
sweetly by his side-even the Indian chief |
tain's daughter-Nora, the graceful Fawn.
A Rich AND PRETTY HEIREss ELopEs TWICE.
Col. Eaton Bond, wealthy planter at Dem
mark, Tenn, sent his daughter to some friends
in Mississippi to get her out of the reach of
suitors. While there she eloped
with DIR. Simmons and was married to him.
But on the evening of the wedding she eloped
q second time with an old lover named Bloom,
and was mysteriously absent for two nights,
when she returned and confessed her fault and
was forgiven by her husband. All that re-
mains is to go homo to the old gentleman and
get his forgiveness and blessing.
ssWhat fine head your boy has,'' said an