New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-04-05
For the Sunday Republican,
HOW AWARD NONTRAY CAM
TO BE A Il AOBELOR.

sFor the Sunday Republican,
now INWARD NONTRAY CA8IE
TO BE A BAOBELOR.
Thirty odd years ago among my earliest
recollections was the passing of large
tribe of Indians across the Mississippi. 1t
was the most pitiable sight have ever
looked upon.
There were the tail, straight warriors, with
dark, sullen faces, striding in silence slowly
beside the aged and decTepit. There were
girlhood and womanhood in their youth
and vigor; but no light was in their eyes,
nor elasticity in their steps. There were
infancy and childhood; but there was no
wild glee, frolic, or laughter. Even the
stoicism of the Indian had given way to
bowed, weary sadness. Many grew faint
and sickened by the roadside, and were left
behind. Many died beneath the trees, in
barns, and roadside hnts. In an old black
smith shop, one mile from Mrs. Bedford's,
six dropped down weary, wan, and sick.
Mrs. Bedford's kind heart had almost bled
with anguish as they passed her door day
by day, and she looked upon their silent mis-
cry. To several old and halEclad she gave
blankets; each day large churn of milk
and trays of bread stood at her gate until
nightfall. And when they had all gone by,
and left the sick in the old shop to die, she
turned her attention to them with all the
tenderness of her Christian heart. She
sent mattresses and bedding to the shop,
took servant and her family physician,
and tended them daily. Two died, four got
well, and were permitted to return to their
homes in the nation.
One was young woman not much more
than halfbreed- as a gazelle and
bright in mind, with husband of great vigor
and strength of intellect Their infant,
Monitts, was child of rare promise, with
just enough Of the Saxon in her veins to
smoothe the dark brown of the Indian into a
rich olive. To them all Mrs Bedford talked
much Of the Great Spirit who was alike the
father Of the red man and the white man.
She read simple passages of scripture to
them, and when they turned their steps
homewSrd Mollie told her that she loved
the Great Spirit, and would pray to go to
him when she died.
The Indians and the white woman parted.
No flood of tears told the Indians grief, but
they rolled freely down Mrs. Bedford's
cheeks as they pointed hesyenward, and
simply said:
''Bobisheila, bobisheilan
Years passed on, but Mrs. Bedford never
forgot her friends of the old shop, and often
wondered if they ever thought of her,
Six years afterward she was called to re.
turn TO the home of her childhood in Ala.
bama TO visit the death-bed of her mother.
Her health being delicate her husband de-
cidei to make the trip by land, leaving all
the children save the babe at school. Her
physician thought such a trip would be
beneficial % let h5aitil. whiie rravs
cling through the nation they were
benighted in dismal. dreadful swamp
six miles in length. THE night was
cold and rainy /; slowly they had
picked their way over sloughs and ditches,
across corduroy railroads and stumps, until
eleven ct night, when in the very centre Of
the swamp the carriagewheel struck large
stump, made heavy bound, lunee, and
and sank into the stiff mud up 10 the hub.
The babe was cold and sick, and was scream,
ing with the fullest powers Of it's lungs; the
nurse was tired and cross, and between the
two and her own suferines Mrs. Bedford
was completely worn cut. Mr.. Bedford
scsrrely knew what he should do, Out IN the
rain spd cold With sick wife and child.
And 70 add to the horrors Of the night the
dense woods rqsounded with the cry Of the
wolf Mrs.. Bedipzdis excited nerves imag-
ined them nearer e4ok moment. He could
not nee bis hand begane hin-hss horses
were aided and worn, and from the howl az
the wolves and the cold rain wese TREMBLING
like scared haaes, and could mot move
wheel Mr.. Bedford could only aaVanua 4
stepasthe vivid lightaina rs up obs iisassss
foE an insfant hus il this way he haa iusl
placed his hands 70 he wheel Is liz ~
spoke;
"Hnsband, look yondsr; there ceriainiy
is 8 light coming this way. VIE can h te
such . night a. THAI
"If is indeed strange - see q hnnan
beiagoat upon such nishs and, 80 & i've.
IA X y wenaan. God haoms AM thankssl.
&haf G,eaf tarehiighs wlll AaAa ID "a. Il
s back il il 70 yeur caala, ny
good
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