Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-08-18
Woman 8 Heroism.
BY FRANCIS ADELBERT CORY.

impression upon my mind at the time,
that / still remember everything perfect
ly, even to the most minute detail.
My father had removed to the west a
few months before, where he had conN
structed quite comfortable log-house,
and cleared considerable land. There
were only three of us--father, sister Jen-
ME, and myself. Jennie was our house
keeper, but besides her work she found
time to teach me to read and write a
little, generally spending an hour with
me every day. She was dear, faithful
girl, and l used to think if l ever grew
up to be a man would marry just such
a woman as she was
There were some Indians remaining
in the neighborhood, but as they never
molested us, we ceased to think of them
with fear at least, and father used often
to 60 away, sometimes to be gone all
night, leaving Jennie and | alone. At
such times we used to fasten up the house
as soon as il began to grow dark, and
keep the rife in the corner, where we
might seize it at the first alarm.
One morning father went away upor
business, expecting to be gone longer
than usual The day passed quietly and
pleasantly enough, but Jennie and | had
only just drawn back from our six O'Clock
tea. when the door softly opened, and an
Indian entered.
He was tall, muscular fellow, and
looked as II he might possess the strength
of a giant in bis stalwart frame. He
wore a hunting shirt Of some dark stuff,
belted at the waist, and the borders fam
cifully embroidered with white beads,
deer-skin Ieggins flaming in all the col
ors of the rainbow, and a pair Of wrought
moccasins. At first he stood quite still,
and surveyed US in silence.
Jennie had arisen. Her face was
quite pale, but otherwise she did not show
the least sign of fear. She only stepped
forward and asked,
"What do you wish ? Can / do any
thing for you ?"
ME want fre-water," returned the
savage, looking at her steadily with bis
great evil eyes.
81 have no fire. water to give you,' said
Jennie shut you can have draught of
milk if you would like"
"She placed some upon the table, and
a fresh plate, and bade him help himself.
This he did quite freely, making hearty
supper of it, but still keeping his eyes
upon rs while he ate. When he had
finished bis repast he came and stood by
the window.
"Me stay here TO night" he said f;
"sleep by the fire."
"No," returned Jennie, firmly, "you
cannot remain"
ME stay !" repeated the savage, this
time little angrily. white squaw all
aloue--can't help herself"
81 am not quite so defenceless as you
thiak," said my sister in an unfaltering
voice. "You have eaten and drank, and
now you must 60"
The Indians brow darkened and he
raised his hand as if he would strike her,
but let it fall without word and rushed
out Of doors. Jennie comprehended his
object in a moment. He had left bis
rifle without and had gone to fetch it
With a quick movement she closed the
door and fastened it.
The savage came back, raging and
furious at finding himself outwitted. lie
tugged and pushed at the door, filling
every pause with horrid oaths and threats,
but it was true to its trust, and did not
give an inch.
All was quiet at last. Jennie took me
in her arms and crept close TO the wall,
on the same side of the room as the win
dow, so that the Indian could not fire at
us from that. / could feel ber heart
beating very fast, but she whispered
quietly, Don't be frightened, Frank
All will come out right at last. He will
go away soon."
By this time it had grown quite dark.
Raising our heads little, we could see
the stars come out one by one. We dared
not light a candle, SO we sat very still in
the gloom. After a long time Jennie
got up. 81 am going to look for the
Indian" she said. "Do not stir until |
come back"
She crept away through the darkness.
After she had gone all was still for a few
moments, and then heard slight noise,
close at hand. looked up and saw a
dark form at the window. / knew it was
fastened, and SO thought very little about
it. By-and-by, however, there was a
cracking of springs, and the window
went slowly up. hardly knew what to
do. Jennie might or might not be where
she could see all that was going on. i
knew not where to seek her, and dared
not call, so lay still aud trembling, and
watched every motion.
The Indian put his head through the
opening first, and then slowly drew his
body after it. There was a rustling at
the other end of the room, and the mo-
ment his feet touched the floor Jennie
struck light. She had been in another
apartment when be had first attempted
to enter, and had returned too late TO
prevent it.
"Why are you here again ?" she asked,
with assumed anger, as the light fared
up and dispersed the gloom.
The savage looked at her moment
in surprise. Evidently her eoolness and
calmness perplexed him.
"Me want fire-wa:er," said be, after