Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-08-16
The Indian Chief.

The following beautiful story IL old, but
literally true, and was FIRST published in lee
ture delivered by William Tracy, Esq, Of
Utica, on the early history of Oneida county
One of the first settlers in Western New
York was Judge W, who established
himself at Whitestown, about four miles
from Utica He brought his family with him,
among whom was widowed daughter with
an only child-a fine boy about four years
old. You will recolect the country was an
unbroken forest, and this was the domain Of
the savage tribes.
Judge W saw the necessity Of keep.
ing on good terms with the Indians, for as he
was nearly alone, he was completely at their
mercy. Accordingly he took every oppor.
tunity to assure them of his kindly feelings,
and to secure their good will in return. Sew.
eral Of the chiefs came to see him, and all
appeared pacific But there was one thing
that troubled him. An aged chief Of the
Oneida tribe, and one of great influence, who
resided at a distance Of dozen miles, had
not yet been to see him, nor could he ascer-
tain the views aud feelings of the Sachem in
respect to his settlement in that region. At
last he sent him message, and the answer
was that the chief would visit him on the
morrow.
True to his appointment, the Sachem came
Judge W received him with marks OF
respect, aud introduced his wife, his daughter
and little boy. The interview that followed
was interesting Upon its result the Judge
was convinced his security might depend, and
he was therefore exceedingly anxious to make
a favorable impression upon the distinguished
chief He expressed his desire TO settle in
the country, to live on terms Of amity and
good fellowship with the Indians and to be
useful to them by introducing among them
the arts Of civilization.
1 The chief heard him out and then said
Brother you ask much and you promise
much What pledge can you give of your
e faith The white mans word may be good
= to the white man, yet it is wind when spoken
to the Indian"
G " have put my life in your hands, said
) the Judge; is not that an evidence Of my
a good intention? | have placed confidence in
n the Indian, and will not believe he will abuse
/ or betray the trust that is thus reposed"
c $50 much is well J" replied the chief. The
Indian will repay confidence with confidence
t if you trust him he will trust you. Let this
Is boy 90 with me to my wigwam-l will bring
him back in three days with my answer"
is If an arrow had pierced the bosom Of the
r. mother, she could not have felt deeper pang
,e than went to her heart, as the Indian made
:. this proposal. She sprang forward, and run.
e ming to the boy who stood at the side Of the
D Sachem, looking into his face with pleased
is wonder and admiration, she encireled him in
1t her arms, and pressing him to her bosom, was
I.b d., tka A ..l1
ominous irown came over the Sachem's brow
d. but he did not speak.
But not so with Judge W. He knew
vs. that the success of their enterprise, the lives
of his family depended on decision of q
,s. moment.
l !; "Stay, stay, my daughter" he said. "Brine
r. back theboy, implore you. He is not more
ry to you than to me. l would not risk hail
of his head But, my child, he must 60 viii
ss the Chief. God will watch over him! He
in will be as safe in the Sachem's wigwam a
ais beneath our own roof."
in. The agonized mother hestated for mo
- ment she then slowly returned, placing th
nv boy on the knee Of the Chief and kneelin
at his feet, burst into food OF tears Tn
he gloom passed from the Sachem's brow, bu
ey he said not a word. He arose and departed
ho | shall not endeavor to describe the agony o
he the mother for the ensuing three days. Sh
er, was agitated by contending hopes and fears
Nd In the night she awoke from sleep, secmin
i'm to hear the screams Of the child calling o
its mother for help. But the time wore grad
be. ualy away--and the third day came. Ho
"a slowly did the hours pass The mornin
The waved away !; noon arrived yet the Sachel
a. Il tba i,ol
ing household The mother was pale and silen
Judge W walked the floor to and fro, &,
'?n ing every few minutes to the door, and lool
ing through the opening in the forest TOWARD
out the Sachems abode.
liIe At last as the rays Of the setting sun wen
wu thrown upon the tops Of the trees around, ti
/, | eagle feathers of the Chiefwe seen dancin
est above the bushes in the distance. He aC
Ike vanced rapidly--a boy was at his side. II
me was gayy dressed as young chief---his fet
being clothed in moccasins, fine beaver ski
'rs, was on his shoulders, and eagle feathers wer
,ur stuck in his hair He was in excellent spin
cts its, aud so proud was he Of his honors that
seemed two inches taller than be was before
So He was soon in his mothers arms, and in thu
brief minute she seemed to pass from death
| life. 1t was happy mesting---too happy fd
ost me to describe. ",rhe white man has cor
quered !" said the Sachem - hereafter let u
m. be friends. You have trusted an Indian, b
eft will repay you with confidence and friend
ship
ith lie was as good as his word and Judg
in " lived for many years In peace wit
it. the Indian tribes and succeeded in laying th
in. foundation of hourishing aud prosperou
ID. community.
~ Go
Mt New York boasts Is 900 ssusages on th'
IL. hoof alias dogs.
' "A pauper buried in New Orleans turui
=, out to be worth yl50,0O0.
MT. A. c,mad dansausa Il dad