Nebraska advertiser., 1865-07-06

age, a fact which was fully substantlated
by the events as they t%ranspired. If
such was the case, it is also very evident
that the heroine was a woman Of fine
sensibilities and a tender heart.
It was at the close Of a warm summer
day, that John Merrill returned from
the fields where he had been at work.
and after eating a moderate supper,
lighted his pipe and took a seat outside
the door. Mrs. Merrill remained with
ia the cabin until the work was compile
ted and the table prepared for an early
breakfast on the morrow, when she took
her knitting and seated herself at a lit
tie distance from her husband. To her
surprise be remained reserved and moo
dy, not speaking useless spoken too, and
putting away at his pipe with great en-
ergy. The woman's heart in Mary's
breast told her that all was not right and
she set about learning the cause of her
husbands strange reserve.
You have worked too, hard to-day,
John.' she began.
No; l haven't done as much as l gen.
orally do
Then you fell sick-what is the mat
terP
Nothing /; l feel quite we'll in body,
better than l have for a long time be-
FORE
Then what can be the reason for your
silence and gloom? 1 haven't seen you
look so blue and downcast in q year.
To tell the truth, Mary, / believe I'm
getteBg n%otional. l have had strange
Thoughts all day-thoughts< which |
couldn't get out of my head, though l
tried hard enough
What were those thoughts John 3
You know I'm not such a bad confdant =
i know you are bot so I'll tell you
what l have been thinking. only you
must promise hat YOU won't let il worry
you in the least. You will, wont you 3
Did you ever know me worried very
easily. John?'
Il can't say that l ever did, though l
should be very sorry If you should feel
as uneasy as | have to-day
'Pshaw I! John, you know I've twice
The spunk you have
John Merrill smiled, but il was a sort
of sickly smile, for the conversation had
broughtu up all the strange feelingshe had
entertained during the day. He clear
ed his throat once or twice, and tLen be-
gan.
Did you never think, Mary, that we
were much exposed to an attack from the
Indians, here g
Il suspose they are as likely to come
here as anywhere, for they have the
sanction of the British to burn and MUIR
der anywhere they please, provided it is
on rebel territory, and l suppose we are
rebels, ar'nt we4'
The tories and Britons call US rebels,
and | am proud of the name from their
lips p was the rejoinder.
And so you have been borrowing
trouble about the Indians2' the heroine
asked.
No, Mary, not that The thought
has haunted me all day, that we were
marked for the next victims, and Sc
strongly has the idea taken hold upon
my fancy. that / have been unable tC
drive it away
If they come, John, they will come
but don't let US borrow trouble in ad.
vance. You know we have lived here
so long in peace and happiness, that i
would seem hard indeed to spoil it all by
living in constant apprehension
That's a fact, Mary, and l VIII uy
and put away this idea. though will bt
hard to rid my brain of what has ClunG
to me so closely during the day.
After this John Merrill e~ndeavoret
to appear more cheerful, but it cost hin
a great effort, and at an early hour the.
made preparations to retire. Tn
hound was chained in his kennel, t
give the alarm Should anything be NOV
ing without, and the doors and window
securely fastened. The house was con
structed Of logs. and The door and shut
tiers Of oaken plRnks, hewn from th
timber and well irOned in their places.
There, if there are Indians about,
John c cmplacently uttered, they'll fin
/ il hard work to get in!
In fancied security they retired, ant
had slept some hours, when the bayin
of the hound awoke them.
'Somethi ng is around the house, e1
(, claimed John, as he became sufficient
awake to comprehend the matter, II
look out and see what it is.
John was a man of iron nerve an
q courage, but be had no thought of sa,