Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-11-25

Monona--An Indian Story.

Two children were passin
through a piece of wood in the ia
west, toward their home. Through
out the afternoon of that sultry da
had they been actively filling thei
baskets with berries; and now, wit
their overhowing treasure, they wer
fastening to put at ease the mind 0
their anxious mother, for she hat
conjurcd them on departing not t.
stay above an hour, as her fears tina
her darlings might be harmed by In
dians were very acute, although non'
had troubled her since two years be
fore, when her husband had beel
murdered by them as he was work
ing a mile from his cabin. The chill
dren slipped along as fast as theil
tired limbs and weighty basket.
would allow them. But Jane, thC
eldest, who was thinking that, il
their exciting and pleasant task, they
had oyerstaid their mothers permis
sion at least two hours, turned to
her sister who had stopped, and ex.
claimed:
"Oh, don n'trest now Minnie moth
er will be crazy about us, know.
| wish we had stopped picking soon
er."
Use too tired" answered the
cherry-lippcd Minnie beside her,
while her little brown hand began,
as a comforter, to thrust the rich
berries into her little mouth ; so Jane
suffered her moment to rest; then
all impatience, for she could have no
peace till mother saw them safe, she
caught up the sweet little straggler,
basket and all, and sped quickly
along. The girls twelve years Of
hardy backwoods life did her good
service here, and they were soon near
the patch of ground adjoining their
cabin. Here their childish voices
rang out, their berries lifted high
with a new triumph as they called
their mother to come and meet them.
But their happy cry was not respond
ed to, and James bright face became
sober as she walked quickly and
toward the cabin. She
was lifting the door latch, when Min
ME, who had fingered at the well to
see her face in the water, screamed
out Here's mother! here's mother
in the well, Jane, and her head is all
torn to pieces"
With wild eyes and shaking form
Jane came and bent over the curb,
and looked upon u sight that sent
With one quick dart, all the despair
and desolation Of orphanhood, to|
her young soul: for, resting there,
with head and shoulders above the
)IoOd-tingcd shallow water, was
heir dead parent, her throat cruelty
hacked, and the scalpless head show
ng the Indians satisfying and fend- |
sh work. The wailngs of the poor
hildren were terrible. They tore
desperately at the curb; they tried !
o think Of some way to get that
owed one oat. Oh! to creep once
nore near that priced mothers side
nd to kiss those poor eyes closed
n ghastly, bloody death. It was
ard, but they could not in this be
ow satisfied; their small strength
ould not avail them Jane. almost
rild with grief now bethonght her
elf to go for the neighhor5 to as
ist her, but the nearest was three
niles away, through a lonesome
rood. Minnic'5 tired feet could
ever 90 that distance. Could she
ave her there? never! The pre-.
ious golden head she now embraced
'as million times dcarer than ever
elore and its welcome nearness to
er own suffering heart sent thrill
f consolation there and JOY of not
eing left all alone. al" said Jane.
lskily, in answer to her rising fears,
he Indians do come to-night-II
g here to die with Minnie; for"
le added bravely, I'D die a dozen {
eaths before coming back to see /
er like mother down there = and {
king another look in the well be- l
W, she shrieked anew, "Mother ! J.
,ar mother ~ But an awful hoot \
through the forest, warned D
II to choke this yearning cry P
title Minnie began to scream; and a
me, taking her hand, hurried her
to the cabin. i
"If | could only keep her quiet" 81
ought the painting girl, who was "
ying to soothe the little one, "if | t.
ly could, we might hide, perhaps, "
om the dreadful Indians, for | feel t.
ey will come to night and her h
es went wandering over the room HI
the hope of getting something to c,
pease her little sister. There Vi
Is laudanum on the shelf before W
r; Il might give her some, it would N
Ike her sleep; and oh, dear God, Ii
It please to help me now, and don't p