Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1868-05-30
TIE FROZEN HEART.
A FRONTIER SKETCH.

In the Western part of the Stat'
of Iowa there is a ridge Of SHARP
bluffs, which for some distance
fanks the Missouri river. 1t was
here the Indians met in treaty sew
eral years ago, and from the fact Il
city has taken its namc-CounciI
Bluffs.
Among the early settlers of this
section of the country there was Il
family by the name Of Denver, con-
sisting of father and mother, one
son and two daughters, the eldest OF
whom was some sixteen years OF
age. She was IL lovely young crea-
ture-lovely in her innocence and
native goodness, and she was be-
loved by ayoung man named Edwin
Hobart.
Hobart had formed this attach
ment for the young creature while
she yet resided in the East; and
when her father removed to the
West, the young man followed. But
he had never been an especial favor
itc of the father, and now he ap-
peared to be less so than ever.
Mary Denver had formerly re-
ceived the addresses Of the young
man with some degree of favor, but
she saw the dislike her father enter
tained toward the young man, and
although she could not give any
reason for it, she felt that it could
not be without foundation. So she
frankly informed Hobart that he
must cease to address her until her
father should feel differently in the
matter.
To this Hobart replied:
"Mary, have loved you long and
tendcrly- --even from my earliest
recollection. L have left my home
to follow you. l have carefully ex-
amined every act of my life, and l
cannot find an intentional dishonest
one. l believe your fathers dislike
to myself to be entirely without
But you know your
own feelings. If you will love me
and consent to be mine, your father
will soon learn that he has hated
without a cause. If you reject me,
you will send me upon the world
with frozen heart; and God knows
in my impulsiveness what | might
do, or what would become of me-"
"This 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 claspcd their little ones to their
bosoms in terror. Strong men seized
their weapons, and prepared to de-
fend their homes to the last.
One dwelling was already in flames.
few shots had been heard, a shrek
had arisen upon the still night air,
and then AL was still save the crack
ing fire. No other house was mo-
ested, and the savages appeared to
have withdrawn.
In short time the daylight
lawned, and the neighbors began
10 assemble around the destroyed
nome, which proved to be that be-
to Mr.. Denver and family.
A search for the inmates was at
,nce instituted. The mother was
found most horribly mutilated and
,calped. The son had died nobly
lighting, as his wounds attested,
md the youngest daughter man
yled in an equally horrible manner.
A still further search resulted in
he discovery of Mr.. Denver. He
had been scalped, but was still alive,
md had crawled into a ditch for
,oncealment; but he wasinsensible.
All search for Mary was in vain;
,he was nowhere to be found.
Among those present was a young
nan who appeared TO be deeply
Effected by this terrible deed, and
wen wept. But, drying his tears,
be exclaimed:
81 must leave tears for women.
Men must think Of revenge. Where
Is Edmund Hobart" "
He does not appear to be here.
HNot herel He must be found at
1nee. He Is a young man, like my
elf and must become one Of the
eaders IN this matter. Ii shall be
beloved up to the bitter end
Hobart was nowhere to be found;
md Charles Barry, thsweeping man,
appeared somewhat uneasy. Then
be hintcd his suspicious, and at last
declared openly that Il Hobart did