Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-12-02

pioneer girdled its trees, was king of thi
wild wood. Many a long, weary mil'
had be travelled since dawn, and wher
the dark night set in so stormy and cold
be had drawn his torn blanket about hin
and sought only to find in the grove some
hollow in which to lie down and chant
the death-hymn that had rang all day ii
his ears A long time he wandered, en-.
tangIing himself yet deeper in the intri-
cate windngs Of the dense old wood. But
just when his feet Jagged most and his
heart was sorest, a beam from the wood
mans fire lii up bis path, and lit, too, a
hope in his bosom. He followed the ray,
and ere the last brand had fallen, was SO
near the rude home that his Indian eye
could track the path which its owner had
made in the forest, and follow it to his
door.
But there he paused awhile. Would
the white man be kind to his red-faced
brother, and give him the food be craved
and skin by the fire?
Me try him. said he, as be pushed
against the door, me try him--he good
to me, me no forget, and the wooden bar
ratiled and the woodsman awoke, startled
but not afraid. One bound brought him
to the door, and with one hand on its
guard, and one on bis rifle he called out,
Who's there--what want you?'
Me Indian; me sick and me hungry :;
but ere he could speak more the door
flew open and he was bid to come in and
be welcome.
Friend nor foe stand outside my door
on such a night as this said the sturdy
host, as he threw on q generous armful
of his light wood, and raked out the Goals
till they were all of glow.
Me your friend, and me no forget
said the Indian, in voice emphatic tho
weak, as he sank on the hearthstone, tore
off his blanket that was dripping and
cold, and suffered the warm, rosy light,
to creep over his great brawny limbs and
redden the cheek that had never been
pale before.
'Am your friend for God knows by
your looks you need one responded the
brave pioneer; and the best that have
shall be yours to-night;' and suiting ac-
tions to words he set on the table the re-
mains of the evening meal, and then draw
ing out clear bed of Goals, laid over
them a generous slice of the noble deer
he bad slaughtered himself, and bad soon
a smoking meal to tempt the hungry pal |
ate Of his visitor. Then casting bundle |
of skins on the floor, close to the hearth
stone, and taking from off the bed where
upon lay his wife, trembling in silent ter.
ror, heavy blanket, he told the poor
Indian to rest himself there till morning
and longer if he chose. And then, with
a heart lighter and happier than when
be arose, he lay down again, drawing his
pale companion closer to his breast, aud |
quieting her fears with endearments as
gentle and soothing as those a mother be-
slows on a frightened child.
When they awoke in the morning their
Indian guest lay still upon the floor in a
sound, refreshing sleep. When be rose
from his rustic couch, they asked him not
whence he bad come and whittier he was
going, but only to partake of their hospi-
tality so long as be thought fit. With
Indian taciturnity, he said nothing, but
ate with them, and then lay down again,
and in this way passed two days. On the
of the third, when the hearty
breakfast had been disposed of, he drew
bis blanket around him and went TO the
door. As he crossed the Threshold, be
turned his face to the still seated husband
and wife, and said emphatically, Pale
ace good to Indian-me no forget ; and
IS arrow darts from its bow when the
strong arm draws, he sped from the shell
ering roof and was lost almost instantly
n the mazes of the dark wood,
For some weeks the incident was dwelt
ipon frequently by the family, but grad
lally it faded from their memories, and
is years passed on it was only occasionally
'ecalled at the request of two buoyant
ads, that father would tell them an Iniun
tory, true story about a live Injun.-
Then taking them on bis knees, he would
elate TO them just what has been writ
en-, and they would draw bis arms closer
ound their trembling forms, and wonder
{ they would dare 60 to sleep while
live lnjun' lay before the fire; and they
would say 'wernt you afraid, father P and
uddle up to him, seeming TO feel their
lair stand straight.
Alas E! they, nor he, nor that still
I -