The Lincoln County herald., 1870-10-20
ChtINreas'S Corner.
TNECUILD HUNTER.
NY KATHERINE GORDON.

bcOtcn emlprnnt, WHO WIN Hef uTother
and himself, had cmigratcd some ycars
previous to the time Of our story to the
hank of a beautiful stream that coursed
through a richly wooded part of Iowa.
Very soon after the emierant's arrival,
his only son, obcrt, was stolen by the
indians and now the old mans life dis.
appointed in its dearest hopes, became
one bitter channel Of desperate and
gloomy plans for revenge. SO is, dear
children, that il We take the ills that be.
fall us in any other spirit than a brave
hope and u strong faith in the wisdom OF
the good all wise Father, our evil passions
Me sure to work out for us the greatest
unhappincss. Effie was left to grow up
as unculitvated ne wild flower, and just
as innocent Perhaps l ought not to
say quite uncultivntcd, for her mother
had early taught her to read the Word Of
God. and the child loved the mild teach.
ings Of that Savior who blessed little
children. But she was free as the noun
tain air, ard came aud went through the
green forest like spirit, sometimes by
her grim fathers side. singing the Wild
songs of the "health land"-but ofteuer
alone, until she became known among the
few white people scattered around as the
Child Hunter"
Sweet Fife Craig Tradition says che
was very beautiful her fair curls falling
from under her cap of green, with her
forest tunic of fur gathered around her
slight waist by some old high. .colored
plaid-hcr light quiver of arrows set
across her shoulders, and her Indian bow
In her hand.
No faircr picture ever presented itself
than the duiuty child as she sought her
accustomed haunts, one bright summer
morning. Her usual songs were hushcd
as she entered deeper into tho green
wood, and her light step scarcely rustling
the brown twigs and the newly grown
underbrush, until she heard sound very
ike moan in a thicket near her Leap.
ing over all obstacles in the way, without
. thought of fear, Efie stood by the side
of an Indian boy, who was striving with
all his youthful might to keep back the
moans that mouM come Partly by
signs, partly by slight knowledge Of
each others native language, Fife came
to uu lcrstand that young White Cloud.
son of the first chief in the ucighbor-
hood, had fallen, while performing some
forest feat, and had seIiuusiy sprained
his ankle. Effic, with native skill, pro.
ceeded to bind up the injured limb, and
then. making use Of all her strength,
aided the heroic boy as far as her father q
cabin, where a quiet sleep soon restored
his childish elasticity. Finding himself
unable 10 move the sprained limb, how
ever, he lay long while silently watch
ing his little nurse, who sat in the door
vay preparing 60 re herbs which she hat
gathered for him, only stopping nov
and then to hush the great dogs az the.
started up to bay deep response to som
far OF sound in the the forest. At las
the lad spoke. and must give their con
versation IN good English, since do nc
understand Indian, and am not very we
acquainted with Scotch.
"Come here, Wind. Flower" con
usuded the young lord Of the Wild
and Wiud-Flower obeyed, DO 20
know that my father took your broth'
away from you many moons aao, whe
he was just rig enough to 90 with yor
father on the hunt, and had just lesrne
10 use the bow ?"
ayes, I know" answered E@e.
"And do you know. Wind-Flower, I
would care no more for your life, ths
for Q wood .lark's?"
II fear not, White Cloud" said Eli
"And do you know that your fstht
hates mine, and hunts him night and da.
like panther ?"
Efie bowed sorrowfully.
"And did you know all this when 20
found me In the forestf"
Tho little savage turned restlessi
away from the innocent. wondering loo
that answered him, and thought long an
deeply. After while he asked E6ie I
sit by him, and sing him song he hs
heard her trilling outside the cahil
when she had finished he said -
Tell me. now, Why you did not dra
N arrow and kill me in the wood. tn
morning? You are strong enoug
Why did you bind up my foot and brir
me into your homer My life wou
Rave paid for your brother's T.
Then E6ie. with wonderful power
her simple words. told her savage listen
the great story Of the oross--how II
Great Spirit loved ua all, and sent Il
Lord Jesus to tell Of His Love-how th
when He came, men persecuted Hi
sud Knocked Him. aud hanged HIM on
tree-how that He died, forgiving Il
prosecutors and murderers.
Al the young Indian followed the sil