Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-07-18
CLEARFIELD. PA, WEDNESDAY, JULY Is. 1860
conceal her identity with the Margaret of his

conceal her identity with the Margaret of hi.
early dream.
wandering over the magnificent grounds
surrounding Johnson Hall, she encountered
an elderly lady, dressed in deep mourning,
accompanied by two beautiful girls, in whose
sweet young faces Margaret read their relation
to William johnson. These then were his
children, and although she had heard, with a
strange joy, for which she despised herself, OF
the death of his wife, she could not retain
such feelings when she thought Of these love-
ly girls, left without mother, as she herself
had been-perhaps, some day drifting like
herself upon the outer circle of a happiness
which she could never hope to know. Then
came the remembrance that had it not been
for her folly, she might have been a wife
and mother; the wife of HIM she indeed wor-
SHIPPED, and the mother TO his children.
Determined TO have a single look, if nc
more, of that face 50 beloved Margaret walked
on. Past the fertile fields, past the smiling
river, through the groves of chestnut and ma
pie, and to the very borders of the beautiful
garden. What was it that caught her eve
within its bounds A miniature temple, the
very representation of the little church at
whose low gateway way William Johnson had
said farewell. He had not forgotten, then.
But in the very doorway of that temple stood
figure whose appearance there startled and
troubled her. 1t was that of young and
beautiful woman, whose dark skin, ,long straight
black hair, and flashing eyes, told ber Indian
origin. While she stood there, her strong,
active frame, her dark but bewitching beauty,
and the involuntary grace of her unstudied
attitude, struck Margaret with a jealous envy
for which she could not account. She had
little time for indulgence or SELF blame for
this feeling for passing swiftly up the steps
that led to the little mimic church, was man,
whose tall figure and graceful motions could
not be mistaken.
1t was William johnson. Her heart told
her so before she saw his face and now it was
turned towards her. He had thrown his arm
around the Indian, and through the dark color
OF her cheek Margaret saw the deep flush of
pleasure struggle into new beauty. Her hand
lay lovingly in his, and her head was bent to-
wards him, its long and superb hair resting on
his bosom, and covering her own figure like a
veil. One of the little English girls at the
settlement, impclled by curiosity in the lady
who had come from the fatherland, as her
mother had told her, had followed her footsteps.
By sudden and strong control, Margaret ex-
erted herself TO ask, ssWho is that woman
yonder, Maud l'' And the child, delighted to
give the good lady the information, said, s.It
is Mary Brant.''
Sand who,or what is she 2" asked Margaret.
"Why don't you knowi" asked little Maud
''She is sister to the Mohawk warrior, and is
VI . IL.
standing beside her. They are very kind to
me. Shall go and ask if you can see john
son Hall !? 1t is a grand place, and every
stranger visits it,
Margaret stopped the feet feet that would
have run to obtain admittance for her to the
home of William Johnson and his Indian wife.
She had heard enough, and her own eyes cor
roborated the child's story. She thought of
the beautiful girls whom she had met in her
way, aud wondered if the Mohawk STEP mother
would meet their ideas of refinement. She
was growing bitter and sarcastic every mo-
mcnt. Had she yielded to tenderness, she was
sure to faint, and then the child's ofcious
sympathy would betray her, by calling the at
tention Of him whom she would now avoid.
One bound down the road, and she was out
of sight, the child with difficulty keeping
pace with her. 1t was Margaret's last look of
her old lover. With the next ship she came
to England, and left him unconscious that
her presence had ever been about him. Du-
ring the revolution, deeds of bravery reached
her ears from time to time, of which William
Johnson was the hero. After the memorable
expedition of Grown Point, she learned that
the king had bestowed upon him the honor of
knighthood, and she wondered if the queenIy
Mohawk would adorn her station as Lady
Johnson.
In pleasant country home, surrounded 10y
the children of very dear friend, whose hus-
band Margaret was at last induced to marry,
she found some consolation for her early dis
appointment. The romance of life had faded
away. Her early dream, though remembered,
had put on more subdued coloring and she
learned to hear the name of Sir William
Johnson with scarce perceptible futtering of
the heart. Her husband, good, quiet, easy
country gentleman, who valued her mainly for
the qualities which made her good mother to
his children, never knew that beneath the calm
surface she exhibited lay world of extin-
guished sentiment which he had no power to
rouse, and which time only had been able to
subdue. Il. L. III.