The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1869-04-17
PoOR nIATTY KIIBURN.

POOR MATTY KILBURN.
In Walpoe, N. H., there is very an
Gent tree. whichlsan object ofinterestto
visitors for there Is sorrOwful tale CON
nected Withit
Long ago, when the settlers lived in
fear Of the Indians, who often came down
the river to rob and KILL q fort was built
near the town, and there the people hl IT.
RED for protection the moment an alarm
was given.
Between this fort and the town stands
the old tree which was vigorous young
oak at the time the story begins ..
Fora long while the settlers had been
at peace, and began to think that the In
dianS would never come again, for their
last repulse had been most disastrous
one.
But one autumn day when the men
were busy harvesting in the fields, boy,
who had been fishing, came flying home,
pale and frightened, TO report that the In
dians were coming in whole fleet of
canoes, padding down the " long river of
pines" as they called the Connecticut
Then the panic began, and all hurried
10 the fort, taking their women and child
rem, their cattle, and as much Of their pre-
cious harvest as they could gather inthat
short time,
The inmates OF few solitary houses on
the outskirts Of the town were left to their
fate for there was no time to warn them
except by the bell,
Some of the women fed to the fort,
leaving the men who we're away in the
fields or onthe hills, todefend themselves
as they knew how
Some hid in the woods, fearing to try to
reach the fort, for the canoes were very
near now, and the keen-eyed sayageE
could see the fugitives
Inone Of ftheselonely houses lived Johr
lKilburn and his twelveyear old daughter
Matty who kept house for him like
notable little woman asshe was.
On that sad day John was looking ate
his sheep at the foot Of Fall Mountain
and Matty alone at home. He did no
hear the bell, but hesaw the Indians
thought Of his dear little girl all alone il
the solitary house, and leaving his sheet
TO their fate, heTsn home through byWays
hoping to reach the settlement before tn
fight began. He knew It would be
bloody one for the revengeful Indian
had not forgotten their last defeat an
had turned outin full force to destro,
their eonquerors
They were already onshore when job
I Kilburn, breathless and exhausted, reach
! edhis house to find brave little Matty pre-
pairing TO defend herself with his gun /
! her hand and the dogs at her side.
"Why didn'tyOu rulto effort, child
! he painted as she let him in.
! II waited for you knew you'd com
. and now wen go together she sal
4 showing him her pockets full Of the fe'
4 precious thtngs they owned a lit
/ money, her mothers gold 3ads, thesily'
i, spoons and the queer, big watch, whio
L her father only wore on Sundays.
Q Away they ran, leaving the dogs b
' hind, lest they should betray them.
twas not far, but when they Teachs
], the hill that lay between them and u
Z fort, they SAW that twas too late to &
], in, for the fight had begun.
d GIancing back, they also saw that Z
Il treat vEascut Of, for some Of the Indai
2 were already skulking about their lous
John Kilbum was brave man, but
IF tremb1ed as he stood there among Il
&. bushes, so helpless in the midst OF his I
If lentless eneInies. he trembled not
/. himself, but for rthe little girlWho Clung
IT him, full of faith thathe could save b
le from every danger.
II A shout from the hills made him To-
0. up 10 SEGA party of Settlers armed WI
re sfekles, scythes and guns, charging doy
( upon the1ndians, intent on fighting thu
way into thu fort.
4 III he we're alone, John could Join the
and d 8 rood service with his gun; /
Il. Mattv could do nothing, and would OF
q. impedehis stepu and endanger herself.
O. lie thoughts minute, then swung hi
N SELF up into the oak under which they b
III paused. Leaning down, he drew the ch
" afer him, and without word let ]
az carefully downinto a deep hollow, ma
It. by the brea king of sgreat limb struck
~ lighting some years before.
m The tree had decayed inwardly VII
M outw ardly &c looked hale and strong,
NJ Young shoots had sprung up around
M bFok en- place, and hid the hole with th
nd green branches 4
N, a rent you coming, too, fatherg'a q
es, Cd NJ atty, looking up from her dark h
ing place.
lie ~ 80 dear, I'm going to fight you
No ssfe here; no one knows Of the hole
oet me- Stay quiet till | comeioT you, X
ne agoodheglrt, my lass and trust To iaths
re- ansyv cred y Ohm, leaning down TO kiss
,ot brave little fce That looked at him Fl
Nv the gTeen gloon.
We N atty let him 60 withouta word
osy those periIom times taught stern less
red even f0the children, She sat quite 81
op- said her prayers with all her heart,
nt- waited patiently forfather
no All i6at aiternoonand night shots Il
aiI1 fofl fort and forest dagnes rose from
OF lonely farm.housea and blood flow
ru- Bit bg dawn The fight was over, and
ize, md ans skunk away defeated.
an John Eflburn was meltally woun'
,bv and only reached the fort 70 die, try
an lmin1gto tell something which kept
ave from departing IN peaes.
ha- I 0ne understoCd bis broken Wo
of his fmbloring looks and leebl0 geatl
lif11 Tow ward the hIl.
iei ineg tlloueht he tgied u tali theln