The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-05-19
THE FROZEN HEART.

! In the Western part Of the State o
| Iowa, there is ridge of sharp bluffs
which for some distance fanks the Mis-
souri, River. 1t was here the Indians me
in treaty several years ago, and from th
fact city has taken its name-Counci
bluffs.
Among the early settlers Of this sec
ton of the country there was family b.
the name of Denver, consisting of fathe
and mother, one son and two, daughters
the eldest of whom was some sixteen year
Of age. She was lovely young crea.ur
lovely in her innocent goodness, and sh
was beloved BY young man named Ed
win Hobart. s-s A
4 : Hobart had formed this attachments 70
the young creature while she yet resided
lin, the East; and when her father remove,
to the West the young man followed
| But he had never been an especial favor
lite with the father, and now he appeared
Ito be less SO than ever. s,.s,i
| Mary had formerly received the ad
dresses Of the young man with some de
lgree of favor, but she saw the dislike he
father entertained toward the young man
land although she could not give any rea
lson for it, she felt that it could not b
without foundation. So she frankly in
formed Hobart that he must cease to ad
dress her until her father should feel diff
lferently in the matter.
| To this Hobart replied:
aMary, I have loved you long and ten
derly-even from my earliest recollection
/ have left my home to follow you.
lhave carefully examined every act of my
life, and I cannot find an intentional dis.
honest one. 1 believe your fathers dis
like to myself to be entirely without
Foundation. But you know your owr
feelings. IF you will love me and CON
sent to be mine, your father will soor
learn that he has hated me without .
cause. IT you reject me, you will send
me upon the world with frozen heart
and God only knows, in my i'm pulsiyeness
what ! might do, or what would become
of me- M II
aThat sounds something like threat,
returned the girl proudly, and she turned
away.
Two nights after the conversation, the
alarm of Indians was given. Mothers
sprang from their couches and clasped
their little ones to their bosoms in ter.
ror. Strong men seized their weapons
and prepared to defend their homes to the
last. @
One dwelling was already in flames. A
few shots had been heard, a shrek had
arisen upon the still night air, and theI
all was still save the cracking fire. Nc
/ other house was molested, and the savages
appeared to have withdrawn.
| In short time the daylight dawned
and the 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
instituted. The mother was found horri-
bly, mutilated and scalped. The son had
died nobly fighting, as his wounds attes-
ted, and the youngest daughter was man
gled in an equally horrible manner.
A still further search resulted in the
discovery of Mr.. Denver. He had been
scalped, butwas still alive, e,and had crawl
ed into ditch for concealment; but be
was insensible.
All search for Mary was vain--she was
nowhere to be found.
/ Among those present was young mar
who appeared to be deeply affected BY
this terrible deed, and even wept. But
drying his tears he exclaimedl
II must leave tears for women. Men
must think of revenge. Where is Ed
win Hobart?" ~
HE does not appear to be here
4 aNot herel He must be found at once
He is young man, like myself, and must
become one Of the leaders in this matter
1t shall be followed upto the bitter end
Hobart was nowhere to be found; aud
Charles Barry, the Weeping, man appear,
Jed somewhat uneasy. Then he hinted
his suspicious, and at last declared open.
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 was then
made to the rejection of Hobart by Mary,
and he was understood to have made a
terrible threat at the time.s
Mr.. Denver was now able to speak a
few words. He told them that the sava-
Iges had done the work, but that he be
llieyed them to be headed by a white mar
lin disguise. t
aCould that white man have been Ed
win Hobart2" asked Barry.
i Mr.. Denver remained silent for q time
It appeared to be difficult question tt
answer. But he finally said:
i "If Hobart had any motive for doins
this, and / could believe him capable o
committing SO terrible deed, | might f,
the guilt upon him; for certain it is tha
1.-THE white man is about the size of Ho
bart, and his movements were much th'
lsame." ,e ~ lt s.
4 HE is the guilty one," said Barry
Isand, by heavens, he shall suffer! II
hunt him to the very end of the eartl
Ibut | will find him and bring him back.
i The day passed, and the excitementin
creased in the little settlement. Hobar
was still absent. Scouts had been sen
out, however, in search of him; and jus
], as night was coming on he was brough
back.
j By this time the excitement had reach
!, ed such high pitch that the infuriate,
people could scarcely be restrained frou
rushing upon him and tearing him t
pieces. But Barry assumed the command
Il and. declared that everything must b