The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1871-12-14
The Terrible Test Of Friendship.

At fiiiiN Sit4 W4 E
The following beautiful story is old, but
literally true, and was FIRST published in q
lecture delivered by William Tracy, Esq.,
Of Utica, New York. on the early history
Oneida county: ls'sf's saai. .'
One Of the FIRST settlers in Western New
| York was Judge W, =, who establish,
I ed himself at Whitestown, about four miles
from Utica He brought his family with
him, among whom was widowed daueh.
| ter with only one child-a iine boy about
four years old. You will recollect, the
country around was an unbroken forest,
and this was the domain Of the savage
tribes. aiI
Judge W saw the necessity Of
keeping on good terms with the indians,
for, as be was nearly alone, he was COM
pletely at their mercy. Accordingly, be
took every opportunity to assure them Of
bis kindly feeling, and to secure their good
will, in return several 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 q
dozen miles, had not yet been to see him.
nor could be ascertain the views and feel.
iDgs ofthe sachem in respect 10 bis settle
meut in that region. At last he sent in q
message, and the answer was that the chief
would visit him on the morrow. ,,,,o,
True to bis appointment, the sachem
came, and Judge w received him
with marks ofrespect, and introduced his
wife, his daughter AID little boy, The
interview that followed wus interesting. -
Upon its results the Judge was convinced
that his security might depend, and there
fore h0 was exceedingly anxious to make o
favorable impression on the distinguished
chiefly. Hc expressed his desire to settle
10 the country; to live on terms Of amity
aud good fellowship with the Indians. and
tobe useful to them by introducing among
them the arts Of civilization.
The chief heard him out, and then said:
A"l}rother, you ask much aud aud you
promise much. What pledge can you give
Of your faith? The white mans word
may be good for the white man. yet it is
but wind when spoken to the Indian"
Il have put my life in your hands,"
said the Judge; lis that not an evidence Of
my good intentions? Ihave placed conf.
dence in the Indno, and will not believe
that be will botray tile trust that is thus
reposed," .s5
| - tit''.At =
80 omuch is well" replied the chief;
"the Indian willrcpay confidence for con
6dence;if you will trust him be will trust
you. Let ,his'boy GO with me to my wig
wam-I will bring him back in three days
With my answer" IVA lSa;s
fan arrow had pierced tile bosom Of
Tho mother she could not have felt deep.
er pang than went to her heart as the In
dian made the proposal. She sprang for
ward, and, running to tbe boy, who stood
at the side Of the sachem looking into bis
face with pleased wonder and admiration,
she encircled him in her arms, and press.
ing bin to her bosom, was about to fy
from tie room. A gloomy aud ominous
frown came over the sacbems brow, but
be did not speak.
But not SO with Judge W. He
knew that the success Of their enterprise,
the lives Of bis family, depended on the
decision Of q moment.
"Stay, stay, my daughter" be said.-.
"Briug back the boy, beseech you. He
isno more to you than to me-. | would
not risk hair Of bis head. Butmy child
be must 60 with the chief. willlvatch
over him! He will be as safe IN the saoh.
ems wigwam as bensa,h our own roof
The agonized mother hesitated for q
moment, and then slowly returned, placing
the boy on the knee ofthechief, and kneel-
ing at his feet, burst into food Of tears.
The gloom passed from the sachem's brow.
He arose and departed. 7l'5ia3 "a
| shall not attempt to describe the agony
Of the mother for the ensuing days, She
was agitated by contending hopes aud fears