The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-01-31
A REAL INCIDENT.

IN the autumn of 1923, a man was descend
ing the Ohio RIVER, with three small children
10 canoe. He had lost his wife, and with the
emigFa'ng spirit OF our people, was transfer
ring bis all 10 another country where he might
again begin the wo,ld.
arriving toward evening al small island, he
landed them for the night. After remaining a
short Ting. he determined 10 visit The opposite
shufe, for the purpose, probably, Of purchasing
provisions; and telling his children that he
would soop return to them. be padded off, Ivav-
ing them alone on ihe island. Unfortunately,
be met with some loose companions ON the shore
who invited him 10 drink. lie became intoxi-
Gated, and N attempting to cross he river alter
night was drowned. The canoe 1oated away,
and no one knew Of The catastrophe until the
following day.
The poor deserted children 10 the meanwhile
wandered about the uainhabited island, STRAIN
ing their little eyes TO get a glimpse OF their ia
ther. Night came, and they had no fire or food
-no bed 10 resi- upon, no paren, TO watch over
lheui The weather was extremely cold, and
The elder Child, though but eight years OF age.
remembered that persons who slept in the cold
were sometimes chilled TO death. She coain-
ned To wander about. and when the Younger
children were worn ont with fatigue and drow-
snsss, and were ready to drop into slumber,
she keTi them awake by telling them amusing
or alarnlng stories. Al last nature could hold
ou, 10 Ionger, and the little ones, chilled aod
aching with cold, threw themselves on The
ground. Then The sister sal dpwn. anu spread
ing out ber garments as vide as possible, drew
them into her lap and endeavoTsd 10 lmperi the
warmth Of Der own bosom, as they slept sweet
y on ber arms.
Morning came, and the desolata children sat
on he shore weeping bitterly. Al lepgth they
were filled with Joy at be sight OF canoe APP
preaching the island. But they soon discover
ed that il was filled with Indians, their delight
was changed into terror, aud they aed INTO the
woods. Believing that the sayagss bad mur-
dered their father and were now coming 10 seek
Them, they cronohed under bushes, hiding 10
bFeaihess fear, like brood Of young parirldges
The Indians having kini!ed FIRE, sat down
around it and began 10 cook their morning meal
and the eldest child, as she preped from her hi
ding place, began 10 think they had not killed
th+lr father. She reelected That they must in
eyllab!y sarve,ii af on th is lane island; while
on the other hand there was possibility OF be-
100, Of her brather and sister, who bad been beg
eng piteonglY ioF,l2od had pierced her heart
| and awakened an ber energy eiiv tDid tu-
! ltIe ones, over whose feeble minds her fine
spirit had acquired an absolute sway, 10 se: up
and 90 with ller then taking haad of each
she .earlessly led them TO The Indian camp fire.
| Fortunately the savage understood our language,
and as the little glrl explained 10 them what
had occurred, they received the deserted chill
dren kindly, and conducted them 70 the nearest
OF our towns, where they were KEEP! by some
benevolent people until their own relations
claimed them.