Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-04-24
The Frozen Heart.
By HENRY CHESTEY.

III ''ie Ntstciii part vi lHe < tate OF iowa,
there is ridge of sharp bluffs, which for
some distance hanks the Missouri River.
1t was here the Indians met in treaty sew
eral years ago. and from the fact city has
has taken It's name-Couucil Bluffs.
Among the early settlers of this section
OF the coantry, there was a family by the
name OF Denver, consisting of father and
mother one son and two daughters, the
eldest OF some sixteen years Of ago. She
was lovely young creature-lovely in her
innocent goodness, and she was beloved
by IL young man named Edwin Hobart,
Hobart had formed this attachment for
the young creature while she yet resided
in the East, and when her father remov-
cd to the West, the Young man followed
Bat he had never been an especial fayurite
of the father. and now he seemed to be less
so than ever
Mary had formerly received the address
cs of the Young man with some degree Of
favor, but she saw the dislike her father
entertained toward him, and although
she could not give any reason for It, she
felt that it could NOT be without founda-
ton. SO she frankly intor.ned Hobart
that he must cease to address her. until
hcf father should feel differently in the
matter.
To this Ei0bar: replied:
Mary have loycd you long and tender
ly-rven ffem my earliest recollection
l haze left my home to teIinwyo | have
carefully examined every act of my life,
and cannot find an intentional dishonest
one. | believe your fathers dislike to
myself to be en;irely without foundation,
Bat You know your own feeling. II you
will love me and consent to be mine. your
father will soon learn that he hated me
without cause. If you rcjec. me- you will
send the upon the world with frozen
heart and God only knows, in my impul-
sivencss, what would become of me.
This sounds something like threat,
returned the girl, proudly, and she turned
away.
Two nights af.er the conversation. the
alarm of Indians WAS given. Mothers
sprang from their couches and claspcd their
little ones to their bosoms, in terror
Strong men seized their weapons. and pre-
pared to defend their homes to the last.
One dwelling was already in flames. A
few shots had been heard. shrek had
arisen upon the still night air, and then all
was still save the cracking fire. No other
house was mo!ested. and the sayaSes ap
peared to have withdrawn,
In short time the daylight dawned, and
.he neighbors began to assemble around
the destroyed home, which proved to be
that belonging to Mr.. Denver and his
family.
A search for the inmates was at once in
,t;t,t,l Nh, c.r,l hnrvi hIy
mutilated and scalped. The son had died,
nobly fighting, as his wounds attested, and
the youn est daughter was mangled i'll ali
equally horrible manner.
a still further search resulted in the dis
covery of Mr.. Denver. He had been
scalped, but was still alive, and had crawl
ed into ditch for cOncealment. But he
was insensible.
All search for Mary was vain-she was
nowhere to be found.
Among those present was young man
who appeared to be deeply affected by this
terrible deed, ami he even wept. But
drying his tears, he exclaimed:
Il must leave tears for women. Men
must think Of revenge. Where is Edwin
Hohartr
'iIe does not appear to be here.
Not here lie must be fuand at once.
He is a youug man, like myself. and must
become one of the leaders in this matter.
1t shall be followed up to the bitter end
Hobart was nowhere to be found; and
Charles Barry, tie weeping man, appeared
uneasy. Then he limited his
suspicious and at last declared openly
that if Hobart d,i not soon return, he
sholud believe that the deed was commit
ted under his drecsio ;, by savages whum
he had employed Alusion was then made
to the rejretioa of Hobart by Mary, and he
was uudersto d to have made terrible
threat at the time.
Mr.. Denver was now able to speak Il
few words He told them that savages
had done the work but that he believed
them to be headed by white man in
Disguise.
Could that white man have been
Edwin Hobart p asked Barry
Mr.. Denver remained silent for time.
1t appeared to he difficult question to ans
wer /; but he finally said
If Hobart had any motive for doing
this, and could believe hin capable OF
so terrible decd | might fix I
the guilt upon him /; for certain it is
that the white man was about tho size OF
Hobart, and his movements were much
the same
He is the guilty one, said Barry;
and hy heavens, he shall suffer I'll
hunt him to the very ends of the earth,
but will find him and bring him back