Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-02-28
Misttllantous.
TIE REVENGE
A TALE OF THE WINNEBAG0ES
BY II. 8. MlLLETT,

The sun had sunk behind the western
hills, twilight deepened into darkness,
and quiet reigned through the far-stretch
ing forest. The witching silence was only
broken by the mellow notes of some night
bird, whose music mingled with the voice
of falling waters, or the fragrant zephyr
breathing a low lullaby to the Indian
child that slumbered in its leafy cradle
Softly through the tree tops beamed the
moon, while the stars, shining like dia
monds amid raven locks studded the vast
arch of heaven. Nature was at rest, her
form mantled by the drapery of night.
At the foot of towering oak, whose
massive form had withstood the blasts Of
many winters, was seated an Indian girl
buried in deep thought. Around her were
the wigwams of her tribe, their occupants
locked in the arms of sleep, while she sat
alone by the watch-fire, the light falling
upon the musing Winnebago. Her form
was slight and graceful as the fawn's eyes
dark and piercing, while her features had
a beauty of contour seldom found among
the daughters of the forest. Her dress
was rich in its decorations, jewels were
on her hands and arms, shone in each
heavy braid of her hair, and encircled her
neck of swau-like beauty. Drawing a
portrait from her bosom, she gazed long
and ardently upon it, while tears filled her
eyes and stained her dusky checks. 1t
was gift of happier days from one who
had taught her how to love, and then cru
ely deserted her-one who had plucked
the rose bud, and when sated with its fra
GRANGE, thrown it from him as worth
less gem. Pressing the sovenir again and
again to her lips, she murmured:
"How / have loved thee, Gilbert. But
your are wearied of the Indian girl-her
affection was not enough for thy selfish
soul, and you left her for fairer bosom.
A pale face now lives beneath thy smile,
sports with thy silken locks, and listens
to thy voice--the mel ody that won poor
Tulips heart; while the light of her eyes
is thy sunshine. | am alone--the dove
would not mate with the eagle, but sought
again his own aviary. He has gone and
with him all the brightness of my life.--
My native woods have lost their charms,
the flowers their fragrance, and the 6 ow
ing morn gladdens no more the child OF
the forest. Treachery seems to Turk in the
very air, in the smile of day, in the grea
round moon. / love no more the Win
nebagoes-my heart is false. l would
diego to the spirit hunting ground O.
the red man. The Great Spirit helps
mel"
Grief choled her utterance, tears well
ed up from the troubled fountain, and will
clasped hands she gave herself up to un
comfortable sorrow. But as the flower
bent by the sweeping gale raises its droop
ing head as the storm abates, so it wa'
with the betrayed Tulip. Woe no long
er weighed her down, but another passion
took possession of he breast, flushing he
cheek and Frightening her eye. He
wrongs no longer bent her in humiliation
but pride lifted her up and she scorneC
her own weakness. Hate now raget
within her breast, and trembling beneatl
its potency she started to her feet kissing
between her teeth:
"Famine and pestilence lighted upol
this hated race--their tongue is false
their eye treacherous, and the Manito'
they worship gold. Curses light upo'
the recreant pale face, the perjured lover
the destroyer of my happiness. My sou
is athirst for revenge, and he shall I'm
that the Indian girl can hate as passion
ately as she loves. He shall be torn fror
his lily bride--he shall feel my torture
my agony. Shade of my fathers, hel
me! Witness my vow, ye aged oaks, y
starry heavens, and bear it abroad y
winged winds. The betrayer dies
Blood, blood to wash away deceit"
She gathered the blanket around her
and seeking her wigwam, threw hersel
upon the costly furs, vainly endeavorin,
to drown her sorrow in sleep. The drow
sy god flies the shade, and the wretcheC
girl passed the night in state OF onl,
emi-unconsciousne dreaming darl
dreams of fearful retribution.
At the dawn Of day Tulip arose changed
| in look and spirit, fire in her eye anc