Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1864-01-14
CHE 5iorp Geller..
THE TRAPPER,S CABIN,
a Legend OF the Prairie.
lcoxcLrprp FROM LAST WEEK.
ny Z. a. $.

ssDe Houeht us neart spake mp ann whls-
pered in thrilling tones, "what a glorious
wife, and then came q fearful spasm: per.
laps she was even tlsna beloved com pan.
non OF some brave pioneer. and had forsa.
ken all the endearRen.s of civilization for
rhe love OF her own fond husband. Blu,
no, she hal called ''father," when first he
heard her voice. then there was q certain
girlish grace about her which had assured
him that she hal sustained no dcarer re-
Istion 10 life than that of an af!ectionate
child. But how came she there? He for
bore Tor while TO question her, but curl.
osity At length mastered his politeness. and
IN gentle, brotherly tones. he expressed his
surprise at meeting a palefaced maiden
there.
81 wonder not" said she, in reply,
THAT it seems strange to you. 1t will
seem stranger when tell you that have
lived here already four long years. and in
all that time seen none but Indian females.
and beside yourself but two white men"
and she heaved deep. long sigh.
Pardon me" said Hugh. 'for asking
why You thus seclude yourself. so far from
civilization and society,"
She hesitated moment, then answered
- low. sad tone.
The love | cherish for an unfortunate
father and there was instructive shrink
ing thst made Hugh feel. palmer than
words would have done. that the subject
was a painful one.
Hugh adroitly changed the converse.
tion. but listened ca gerly while she told
him of the wild adventures that had char.
acterized their life. and many strange and
beautiful things that had bordered their
pathway. She pictured to him that VISIT
stretch Of prairie that surrounded them.
AMI discoursed most eloquantly Of its
green and howery charms through the
spring and summer, of its goldenrhues in
autumn. when the first light frost had crisp
ed its waving grass. of its fearful magnifi
cence when the crimson pillows of flame
surged over il, and Of its sullen. sea like
grandure when the white snow was heaped
IN Its hollows and crested on its ridges
Then she told him Of the glory Of the
woodland which lay only little way to
the west OF their cabin and the beauty Of
the softly flowing DesMoines, whose wa
tiers were Of crystal clearness. and whose
banks were as rich in agate and pear-lik.
shell. Then she sketched the Indian war
rior. whose hunting grounds were as yet
all around them. and whose dusky bride
had often tarried beside their hearth, teach.
ing her wildwood arts. and weaving some
times for her hair a graceful wreath from
the silver plumes of the rainbow colored
birds that were futtering in the old tree
tops. - -
And do You fancy such companion
ship? Have you no fear of Indian strata
gems and Indian eruelties?" asked Hugh.
A shudder ran over the young girl. and
her face grew suddenly very pale. and she
looked timidly around ere she replied.
Until q month ago, had never known
fear" said she. "for the Indian if met with
kindness. is as much, nay more to be de-
pended on than our brothers. But now, /
live in constant terror. My father has Of
Tended one Of the young chiefs. and the
consequence / feel. will be fatal to him or
me. and perhaps to both. My father has
realized it too. and since then. unit, to-
day, has not ventured out of sight OF
home. But though he has carefully so't
traces of Indian steps, he has in all that
time seen none, and so this morning, no.
ting by his keen eye the approach of a
fearful storm, he went to his old hunting
hut in the timber. The deer, you know
always rush to the woodland for shelter,
and he expected to kill enough to-day to
last Us through the season. But l feel
that he has run fearful risk
"And you dared, knowing your red
friends were incensed against you, to stay
here all Alone" exclaimed her listener
IL wonder that you consented to let me in
Did you not fear it might be some Indian
IN disguise?"
can Indian could not speak as you did.
sir" she replied; "and If my own senses
had misled me. these trusty friends would
have proved true;' and she pointed to the
dogs. They can scent an Indian as far
rs he can one of the pale faces. They are
well trained. too. Ny father received
them as dying gift from the old trapper
who lived in the cabin when he came; and
he had trained them well. for the country
was much wilder then than now. Would
you believe it though, they will bark in
their very loudest tones when q white
man comes near. and they will not breath
q sound If it be an Indian, but If you are
awake they will come and stand before
you and look at you with a glance, which.
If once seen. can never be forgotten; while.
If asleep, they will awaken you in the most
cautious way. and warn you OF the danger
with much eloquence. Oh, they are two
precious. noble friends" she said, patting
them fondly. They crouched by her feet
afterwards. and burying her little mecca
sins in their shaggy sides. she bowed her
head on her hand. and seemed to dream
Hugh unused for long time on bis
strange adventure, and then feeling very
weak again. he noiselessly heaped fresh
fuel on to the FIRE and stole of to his couch
of buffalo robes. His dreams were at frs,
wild and fearful. then strangely fantastic,
and then sadly beautiful; for, in every va,
ration of the shifting scenes the face Of
Eleanor, paler, yet lovely and loving. look
ed up TO him with an lentrcating fondness
Then dense black cloud covered hei
koeeling form, and then as it parted ht
seemed to be laying on q bed of roses with
the check of the maiden pressed close &c
his lips. As he reached out bis arms tc