Smyrna times., 1870-02-09
.MiSceIIU ~ e D as.
Burton and the Baby.

An August morning-cool and clear as Au-
gust mornings in Minnesota are almost sure to
be-the sun shining out over the little settle
ment, and the blue waters of Lake Shetek,
and gliding the dark pines on the northern
shore. Only 6ve=O' clock, but the people are
all astir, for harvesting has just begun, aud
the great fields of wheat and corn must be
gathered in by fewer hands than last year. 1t
was MISUNDERSTANDING the first battle of
Bull Run was still fresh in the minds of every
one; and sitting on the doorstep, little Burton
Est iCk spelled out the account of it in the
weekly paper, which had come in only yester-
day, while the baby battered about with his
small bare feet, aud talked in an unknown
tongue about everything.
BurtOn's father was a private in one of the
Western regiments, and had left his wife and
two children in neghbor charge, till his two
years Of army life should be over Burton,
though but just niue years old, was learning in
good earnest to be farmers boy. For two
years be had lived with his mother in this
6nely country, half dozen families having left
MankatO, some seventy miles east, and settled
on the prairie back OF Lake Shetek.
The Sioux, Chippewas, and Winnebagoes
still romed over the greaten part Of Minnesota,
and no one thought of fearing them as all pro-
fessed the triendliest feelings towards the
whites. Now and then the Sioux and Chippe-
was, who had always been deadly enemies,
went on the War-path against each other, and
Burton had seen some Chippewa scalps brought
in by neighboring band of Sioux, some of
whom came often to the house to beg for pro-
visions. ----a--..s-.a. --.-..-eaa.,a ssaa.-@saa
So this morning, as his mother took the
milk pail, and went out toward the barn,
where the cows stood lowing, he picked up his
little brother and followed her slowly, thinking
OF the great battle, and wondering if his father
would be In any, and how it must seem to hear
the balls whizzing around ones head. Look
ing up as he heard the clatter of hoOfs, he saw
some twenty Indians riding toward the mex
house, hardly stones throw away, and he
vent on, meaning to ask if they were going
cut against the Chippewas. Willie stopped
him moment to ask for bright fowe
gcwing near the fence as Burton stopped t
pick it, he heard two shots fired in quick sue
eession, and then terrible. yell, land Mr.
Hurd, who had been standing near The doc
with bis baby in his arms, fell dead. At tn
ame moment his mother, with white, scare'
lace, pulled him away by the hand
Run into the brush, - she whispered o
the Indians will kill us ALL "
AS she spoke she caught little Willie, ant
nO down the road toward the thick brush, bri
vas stopped half way by two Indian women
shO rose up suddenly from behind a log wher
hey were crOuching. As Mrs Estlick tor
aarself away from them, they ran toward tn
suse screaming that woman was escaping
sso OF the Indians fired one ball glancinl
GOn Buttons shoulder, made only deep cut
neother striking Mrs Es.lick ankle, crushe
asbene.., She feA but in a moment was u
sgan, and, leaning on Burton, pulled hersel
painfully along. The Indians, more anxiou
@plunder than to kill, turned again to tn
aese, telling Mrs Hurd that if she wou
Eve no alarm, she might go with her childre
yme trail they pointed out leading eastwar'
|er the prairie TO New Ulm. As Mrs Estlic
@OEed back moment, she saw her hurryini
pSard the trail, and had she dared TO leave tn
''qsh would have followed.
for mile she dragged herself on, the agon
SOh her wounded foot growing greater ever
@Vgulent Then she sank down with a grOan.
lts no use, Burton. may crawl along o
~ hands and knees, but that is the only wa
lTS1n T:il 60 and you must leave me. Take ittl
snn..le' and follow the trail to Mankaro. Ca
SI;n III all you eau, and perhaps you may e
anpe. You won't leave him on the road
BuftouT'Hrf8
NO, mother" Burton said looking into h,
~ IN Which We're no tears both OF thei
Te past crying. He shan't die unless
n. Mmsmaa LII try and send somebody back i
VIZ Hiss Is! me, and then go as fast as You ca
Isa my Willie and for moment she held u
nfen tightly TO her heart. Then she Ii
Wss and covered her eyes, and Burton vii
nane In his arms ualL al iaui ffiv IN fhrnue