Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-08-21
Selected saisrrllang.
THE OLD TRADING-HOUsE.
From Hours at HOme.I
II ALFRED B. STREET.

81 PATRON Island ana he landed with his
trunk-hose sRilors 10 lake possession by
hosting the Dutch standard. Ii was a
twisting, picturesque path running through
the forests, etching the roots, and edglne
its way through dell and dingle Where a
fairy glade spread It's oval full, like COB
let Of flowers with pinlasteF-blossoms, was
the spot selected for the Trading House.
Not that GLADE existed then. Low strag-
Cling cabins bordering narrow street,
with grassy spaces between, had usurped
tie bear-track, aud only one tree was left,
like 8 plume III the glade. Under the tree,
an elm. was reared the Trading-House, Ii
.-as a log-built shed although it is good
sized old Dutch concern now, full Of
angles, and with one gable like grenadieT
zap.
This Rom Street was great resort for
bateau-men, slOop-hands, palisade-makers,
and Indians. The latter came with their
fIlrs for the trader, and the others 20 drink
and squabble.
II was a busting scene N the low even
ing light, and until the summer moon
shone IN the zenith. The street ran along
the north palisades with streak of elms
between The walk through the elms was
beautiful It curved like brown serpent
through the grass. Bordering the walk at
the south, were the green, sheltered gar
dens of the little dwellings. They were
trimmed with lilacs. syringas, hollyhocks,
and sunfowers. In May, nothing could
&c sweeter than this mounded garden foil
age, Respondent in purple and white.
Rom Street did not enjoy the most envi-
able reputation. The eternal squbbles of
the river-foIk, and the cultural gable of
the Indians, kept the street IN uprOar. De-
casioually fray would burst out between a
beteau-rnan and q palisade-cutter, which
made the scene fearful. Blows only were
resorted to, however, blows Of brawny arms
and knobby fists, for the Trader would al
low no bloodshed IN his dominions He
vas the king Of Rom Street, and whenever
e fight occurred 81 any Of the little pie
turesque taverns that swarmed IN the street
hence the name, he was always on hand,
and quelled it.
Uncle Hanse was an old Dutchman who
mad come to the place when it was Fuyck
,bov-netl and had lived il, Rom Street
ever since. He was g sturdy old fellow,
whose huge, spiay foot used to weigh down
any quantity OF beaver-furs III the great
balance that hung IN his trading-shed He
had q pretty daughter, Rose Rosegarten
tthe petTcuymic OF the old man, who loved
and was loved by young Captain Malynx,
commander of the Fort on the Hill He
y
dams as he hated Satan.
The Irsding-HOuse roof abutped on the
north palisades. which constituted the Wall
Of that portion OF the shed. A rude count
er ran accss the shed, and an enormous
balance was suspended in the middle of the
little room. 1t had no weights Il anse's
foot weighing SO many pounds, and his
whole person 50 many. Occasionally Rose
acted as weight, and filed the room with
perfume. The snaky eye of the trading In
dian would dart cOruscations Of diamond
light as he gazed on the little, laughing
maiden, uttering wren-like warbhng laughs
as she swung in the big balance, her fairy
feet just graZing the floor. Heaps of peltry.
which had been moistened IN the spray of
Niagara. as well as the pretty waterfall of
Foxen Greek In Pinkster Hollow, stood on
the earthen floor.
No wonder that the ear of the stern saw
age, as he listened to the golden bell-tones
OF the maiden. thought they were the cad
ences OF Hah-wen-ne-yo's voice. He had
heard lifelong the stately thunders of the
magnificent cataract, and wasn't used to
such melody as rang in the shed
De-ran-a-sO-rah, the eloquent Sachem of
the Senecas, came to the shed one day with
1urs. and saw Rose in the balance He fell
IN love with her at once. He would, obey
instantly captured her. but Capt Alalynx
vas there with three Of his halberdiers, as
well as old HRnse. So he contented him
self with the determination OF Selling her
beautiful person the first opportunity and
bearing her Tor the bride of his lodge under
the shadow of Mount Tahawus, The Pie
Tcer of the Sky"
Il hear bird sing, said the noble In
man, with a gesture graceful as a waving
sapling. My heart sings within me in
turn, like the brown thraSher that listens
to his mate vhistling from the pine-tOp.
Does the chief want to chant his death
sng at the stalker said the Captain, taking
ire on the instant.
"De-Ran-a-so-rah is ready whenever
han-wen-ne-yo wills 1t, said the savage
haughtily
Let him turn his eye from the maiden
quickly, or he Will stand at the stake, like
bear at flaming tree responded the
Captain IN voice of thunder
The Indian gresped his tomahawk, whir.
led the bright weapon around his head
and lifting his proud front to the young
Captain Malynx, said in tones of loftiest
scorn:
Let the young warrior bewarel brave
Of 3 thousand scalps stands before him
What cares he for his foesl He leaps like
an eagle in the slaughter -
''De-Ran-a-so-rah is alone" said the Cap
tam. LET him summon his warriors
around him, and the pale face will NEE
him front to front"
Up few the Ratchet of the Indian, and
smile darted over his face as lightning owe,
q cloud.
Let the young warrior beware-De-R Ran
a-so-rah will meet him.
Hand TO hand. foot to foot proud saw
age" said the youth. eagerly. Does the
Sachem see this pelt? Upon it viii hane
his scalp ere another moon shines in the
heavens"
The Indians teeth clicked, like VOLTS il
trap. With shrill warwhoop he sprans
upon the youth, who grappled him in turn
But the halberdiers tore them apart, ana
would have dispatched the fierce savage o.
the spot. had not the Captain Malynx inter
fered.
60" said he 70 the Indian. "Anothe
time and we shall meet"
The savage glared at him for moment
and then turned and left the shed.
'.Mein Gott, said old Hanse, what
Wild cat. VOW he ought to be put in tn.
stocks"
Rose, petrifed with terror, had scarcel,
marked the scene and as the savage, left
swocned entirely away.
This occurrence, however, did not deunt
Re Blossom from her daily walks in Pink