Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-03-21
Hliscellaneons.
THE SETTLER AND SERVANT.
A TALE OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.
BY EMERSON BENNETT.

BY EMEhsON
Just before the breaking out of this conf
monty known as Lord Dunmore's war, man
by the name of Parker, settled in the Wes-
tern part OF Virginia on a small creek that
empties itself into the Ohio. His family con-
sisted of his wife and tGree children, ranging
from Eve to twelve and negro servant. The
place where h4 located was some iistance
from any settlement or station, and the see
merry around very wild and romantic, with
lofty and heavily wooded hills sloping back
from the valley. He brought his family here
early in the spring. built himself log cab
in, and by great exertion succeeded in plant
ing 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 a half mile from the dwell
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.
"Well, Tom, what's the matter with you
now?" inquired his master, suspending his
work at the frightened domestic.
..Oh, Mars Jonas" answered Tom in a
quivering voice, looking fearfully around as
be spoke, Il tink L seed suffin down dar."
"You are always seeing something wonder
full" persued the other, but it generally turns
out very trifing affair. Did You see black
face in the water when you stopped down to
drink"
..Oh, Mars Jonas, I seed sufin worsen
dat. Don't larf Mars Jonas! Great Golly.
| seed eyes in the bushes-'relse / neber seed
muffin afore-nuffin-dur his life"
well, eyes are not apt to burt anybody.
Tom," returned Mr.. Parker. with laugh;
I've seen good many eyes in my time"
s.Yes, but Mars Jonas. it is difference what
they's 'tachcd to-"
That's very true, Tom Well. what did
your eyes belong tor
II tink de eyes was 'tached upon the head
OBJ a big Injun."
"Ah!" exclaimed the other, appearing for
the first time little startled. why did
you not say that you thought so in the first
place. you blundering fool? Pshaw. there
are no Indians about here, except in your
Imagination. What MAKES you think it was
an 1ndian?''
s'Case tink de Injun was dar, dat's all, %
muttered the black. looking timiily around
him. Il t;nk Mars Jonas we had better go
down to de house and 'tect Missus and chill
dren."
Il believe it would be folly for us to do
so" said Mr.. Parker, for am almost GER
tain you have seen nothing at all. Still you
have made me uneasy, l will go back; but
if you fool me many times look out for tan
ming"
''Pse not the child to fool you, Mars Jo-
mas, 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 examine
the priniDg. No, Use not de chile to fool
you, Mars JONAS" pursued Tom. quickly
And if 1 didn't see de most horrible eyes
an dem ar eyes IDjuns den l neber seed
muffin"
Mr.. Parker now suggested that it might be
as well to go down to the creek, and make
a search among the bushes; but to this pro-
position the negro excitedly Gemurred-say-
ing that if they were In dians, they would be
certain to shoot him.
That's true Tom," replied the other, '.but
1 DO not believe there are any Indians down
there. However, as you seem so much "a
larmed aud as [ am willing to admit the pos
sibility of such thing, we will return home. :"
Accordingly Mr.. Parker and his servant
set off along the side of the hill, to a point
where they could get view of the dwelling,
he carrying the rife so to be ready for
instant use, and the negro keeping close at
q
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 of the
corn felG. which ran down to the house; when
Mr.. Parker was just in the act of rep= owing
his servant for exciting his fears without
cause, there suddenly came reports of three
or four rifles in quick succession-iustantly
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.
''Oh, my God! my poor family" he
groaned, as he gathered himself npon his feet
and beheld the negro stretched upon his back
apparently dead, and the Ind ians with a
savage yell of triumph, in the act of bound
ing forward to finish their work and secure
the scalps of their victims.
Hastily staggering to the nearest tree, Mr.
Parker now set his back against it. and drew
his rifle for the foremost, and stood as it were
at bay. Perceiving this, aud knowing too
well the certainty of the white mans aim
and also feeling themselves secure of the
prize, and therefore not caring to throw away
a single life-the Indians Immediately took
shelter behind different trees and began to
reload their pieces.
To remain where he was Mr.. Parker saw
now would be certain death in few moments,
wounded as he was, and continually growing
weaker from loss Of blood. i. was in vain to
think of fight; and yet, with death staring
him in the face, and au almost maddening de-
sire for selfpreservation. equally for his fam-
Ily's sake as his own, be felt that something
ou: to be tried for his salvation, though ever
20 helpless the attempt.