The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1861-04-18

RIOuuub lVI eu lhohg ySoAo "''A o"b'Ai N
he buried his resentment deep down in his
breast, and received hiS white brothers with
courtesy on their arrival, knowing that he
was powerless to prevent their taking up
their abode on the spot they had selected;
yet after he had bade them welcome, he sell
dom if ever visited them, but lived in the
greatest seclusion with hiU son upon the side
Of tho mountain.
For year or two after the arrival Of the
white settlers, nothing happened to disturb
tho little settlement; and then terrible
tragedy was enacted. 1t was this: One Of
the settlers, while huntingin the forest, espied
deer, and bringing his rife to his shoulder
discharged it, and the deer fell On his ap
proach to the spot where the game lay, he
saw the Indian youth approaching, and when
hc reached the dead deer, he found an arrow
had pierced vital spot. His own shot had
also taken effect in spot that would hav,
effected the death of the deer The Indian
youth claimed the deer to be his 80 did the
settler. High words followed between them
and the settler being man Of most violent
temper, wantonly shot the youth through the
heart, and then, mortified at what he hst
done, axd fearing that the old warrior would
appear and avengc the death Of his son, he
left the scene Of the bloody deed, and fed tc
the settlement, where he impaired his guilt tc
no ono, though questioned as to the cause o
his agitation.
Perhaps two hours after the murderer
reached the settlement, Chocorua was seer
approaching the spot where number Of mcr
we're engaged in the erection of cabin
bearing in his arms heavy burden, which
on nearer approach they discovered to b.
the dead body Of his son. Atwood, tina
being the uamO Of the guilty culprit, turned
pale at his appearance, yet he managed il
part to conceal his emotion, and joined tn
rest who had suspended their work, as the Of,
warrior with his burden came nearer. No
q word came from the stern, compressed lip
Of the father, in answer TO the eager inqui
rics Of a number of the settlers, but with
measured pace he bore the bleeding corse 0
his son, and laid it at their feet in silence
Then turning his dark, eagle eyes upon th
group, he in deep, husky voice demanded
(Which ofthe pale-faces has cut down th'
young sapling, that wentforth from my lodge
when the sun lay bright on the brow o
Agiocochook# this day2'
Each and every one of the settlers, inclu
ding Atwood, denied any knowledge of tn
transaction.
"one of the pale-faces has talked falSel
to Chocorua, and he will tell them which,
Let all come forward and lay their hand OIL
the still heart of the sapling, and swear b,
the Great Manitou that they are innocent
and Chocorua will tell them which did tn
deed that has made his heart sorv!"
One by one, the settlers came forward enc
took the oath required Of them by Chocorua
and at last it came to the turn Of Atwood
His dark eyes had scanned the face of eacl
in succession; and now they rested on th
sinking, trembling form Of the culprit, as h
came forward to take the oath prescribed b,
the bereaved father. His agitation was no
ticcd by his companions, and the though
like lightning flashed through their minds
could he be the guilty one2 And they watch
him as intently az did Chocorua, as hO ap
preached the body of his victim.
AS he laid his hand above the pulselcs
heart of the youth, his agitation became 81
intense that his tongue refused its utterance
and for moment he was unable to utter
word; but with mighty effort, he forcet
back bis repugnauce to the test, for he knew
his life depended on his manner: but ere tn
frst sentence had passed his lips, the dee
voice Of Chocorua interrupted him:
"Palc-faces the Great Spirit has told Cho
corua that it is lie that has made his hoar
sad Pale-facos, there is the murderer 0
the young saplingT' pointing to Atwood
who, fearing that the old warrior would in
fict summary punishment, had, when inter
rupted by him, stepped back among the set
tiers.
Though very nearly convinced by the man
ner of Atwood, that he was guilty, bis friend
would not admit it to Chocorua, and one 0
them replied:
ave cannot see that he is guilty, my In
dian brother; and we must have other proc
before We can accuse him Of this hurrit
deed"
what other proofdo the pale.faces want
Did not the MAnitou make him tremblc ant
turn pale, as he came near the sapling?-
And when he went to take the false oath
could he talk? Chocorua knows that he j
the evil murderer, and he demands justice o
the pale.iaceS Let them now glad the hear
ofthe father, by hanging him up like do
to tree. Chocorua demands it, for it i
right
THAT cannot be. We must have othe
proof than this" replied the settlers. ,.
Haughtily, aud without another word
Cbocorua stopped, and tenderly raising tn
body Of bis son in his arms, turned his bacl
upon the group, and passed swiftly into tn
forest in the direction Of his lodge upon III
N nountsin.