The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1868-06-27
THE FROZEN HEART.
A FRONTIER SKETCH.

river Ii was mere the Indians met IN
treaty several years ago, and from the
fact a city has taken its nalne-Council
Bluffs.
Among tho early settlers of this sec
ton of the country there was family by
the name OF Denver, consisting Of faith.
or and mother, one son and two daughters,
the eldest Of whom was some sixteen
years of age She was lovely young
ereature-loyely in her innocent good.
ness, aud she was beloved by young
man mined Edwin Hobart.
Hobart had formed his attachment for
this young creature while she yet resided
in the East and when her father re-.
moved 10 the West. the young man fol
lowed But he had never been an espe
cial favorIte of the father, and he now ap-
peared TO be less 50 than ever.
Mary Denver had formerly received
the address Of the young man with some
degree of favor. but she saw the dislike
her father entertained toward the young
man, and although she could not give any
reason for il. she felt that il could not be
without foundation. So sho frankly 10.
iornicd Hobart that he must cease to ad.
dress her until her father should feel diff.
tercntly in the matter.
To this Habart replied:
Mary, have loved you hne and
tenderly--even FROM my earliest recollec-
iion. have left my hume to follow you.
have carefully examined every act OF
my li!e. aud cannot find an intentional
dishonest one. | believe your fathers
dislike 10 myself TO be entirely without
foundation. But you know your own
feelings II you will lovc me and con.
sent to be mine. your father will soon
learn that he has hated without a cause.
If you reject me, you will send me upon
tho world with frozen heart and God
only knows, in my impaIsiveness, what
might do, or what would become of me- !"
This sounds something ike threat" I"
returned the girl proudly, aud she turned
away.
Two nights after the conversation the
alarm Of Indians was given. Mothers
sprang from their couches and clasped
their little ones 10 their bosons iu terror
Strong men seized their weapons, and
prepared 20 defend their homes to the
last.
Ono dwelling was already in fames.
4 few shots had been heard, q shrek
had arisen upon the still night air. aud
then all was still save the cracking fire.
No other house was molcsied, and the
savagcs appeared TO have Withdrawn.
In short time the daylight dawned
aud the neighbors began 10 assemble
around the destroyed home. which proved
to be that belonging to Mr.. Denver aud
his family.
A search for the inmates was at once
instituted. The mother was found hor-
ribly mu,ilated aud scalpcd The son
had died nobly Sighting, as his wounds
attestcd and the youngest daughter was
manglcd in an equally horrible manner
A still further search resulted in the
discovery Of Mr.. Denver. lie had been
scalped, but was still alive, and had
crawled into a ditch for cOncealmcnt but
he was insensible.
All search for Mary was in vain-she
was nowhere to be found
Among those present was young man
who appeared to be deeply affected by
this terrible deed, and even wept. But
drying his tears, lie exclaimed
L must leave tears for women Men
must think of revenge. Where is Ed.
mund Hobart?"
. lie docs not appear to be here"
mot here lie must be found at once.
lie is young man, like myself, and
must become one of the leaders in this
matter. Ii shall be followed up to the
bitter end"
Hobar, was nowhere 10 be found and
Charles Barry, the weeping man, appear
ed somewhat uneasy. Then he limited
his suspicious, aud Mt last declared open.
Iy that If Hobart did not soon return he
should believe that the deed was commit
ted under his direction, by savages whom
he had employed. Allusion wns then
made-io the rejection of Hobart by Mary,
and he was understood to have made u
terrible threat at the time.
Mr.. Denver was now able to speak a
few words. He told them that savages
had done the work. bnt that he believed
them to be headed by white man in dis.
gnise.
" Could that white man have been Ed
win Hobart z" asked Barry.
Mr. Denver remained silent for time,
1t appeared to be difficult question to
answer. But he finally said
Ii Hobart had any motive for doing
this, and | could believe him capable of
committing so terrible deed, might
fix the guiltupon him; for certain it is
that the white man is about the size OF
Hobart, and his movements were much
the same.
He is the guilty one" said Barry,
"and, by Heavens, he shall suffer 9 III
hunt him to the end of the earth but
will find him and bring him back"
The day passed, and the excitement in.
creased in the little settlement. Hobart
was still absent. Scouts had been sen,
out, however. in search of him; and just
as night was coming on he was brought
back.
BY this time the excitement had
reached such high pitch that the infu.
rated people could scarcely be restrained
| from rushing upon him and tearing him
to pieces. But Barry assumed the com
inand, and declared that everything must
be done in order SOS
/ The trial was brief one. Hobart
could explain his absence in no other way
THAN by declaring he had merely beer
away on a hunt. This was unsatisfac
tory