The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-02
A Terrible Test of Friendship.

One Of the first settlers in Westerl
New York was Judge W, who es
tlblished himself at Milestone, abou
four miles from Utica He brought hi
flmily with him, among whom was I
widowed daughter with only one chilt
"A fine hoy only four years old. rhI
country around was au unbroken forest
unl this WAS the domain Of the slyagC
tribes.
Judge W - saw the necessity O
keeping ON good terms with the Indians
for, rs he was uetrly alone. he was com,
pletely at their mercy. Accordingly he
took every opportunity to assure them
of his kindly feeling, and 10 secure thGiI
good will in return. Several Of the
chiefs came to see him, and all appeared
pacific. But there was Que thing that
troubled him an agel chief Of the
Oneida tribe, aud one Of great influence,
who resided at distance Of dozen
miles, had not been to see him, nor
could he ascertain the.yiews and feelings
Of the slchem in respect TO his settle
mGnt in that region. At last he sent in
message, and the answer was that the
chief would visit him on the morrow.
! True to his appointment the slchem
came. Judge W received him with
marks of respect, and introduced his
wife, his daughter and little boy. The
interview that follDwll was interesting.
Upon its result the Judge was convinced
that his security might depend, an he
was therefore exceedingly anxious to
make favorable impression upon the
distinguished chief. He expressed his
desire to settle in the country; to live
on terms of amity aud good fellowship
with the Inlians, and to be useful to
them by introducing among them the
arts of ciyiliz ltion.
The chief belrl him ont, and then
slid I" Brother, Won ask mrth and yor
promise much. What pledge can you
give Of Your fifth? The white mans
word my he gDol for the white man,
vet it is but wind when spoken to the
Indian ~ .I .. ...., -
~ have put my life in yonr hands, :"
said the inlge; sis not that an cvi.
,lcnca OF nv good intentions? Ihnve
placed confidence In the Indian, and
will not believe that he will abuse or b..
tniy the trust that is thus reposol ~
$50 much 80 well, replied the chief {;
the Indian will repay confidence with
confidence; il you will trust him he will
trust you. Let this boy 60 with mo
TO my wigwam-I will bring him back
| in three days with my answer q
fan arrow hnd pierced the bosom Of
tue mother she could not have felt n
deeper paug than went to her heart as
the Indian made this proposal. She
sprang forward, and, running to the
boy, who stood at the side Of the sacllem,
looking into his face with pleased wonder
and admiration, she encirclel him in
her arms, and, pressing him to her
bosom, was about to fly from the room.
A gloomy and ominOns frown came over
the sachem's brow, but he did not speak
But not so with the Judge. He
knew tlint the success Of their enter.
prise, the lives Of his fnnily depended
on the decision Of II moment
"Stay, shly, my daughter" he said
Bring back the boy, / beseech Won.
He is not more to you. thaa to me. !
would not risk hair Of his head. But
my child, he must go with the chief.
God will watch over him H will be
as safe in the sachem's wigwnm us be.
meath our own roof " uI wH ..
The agonizod mother hesitated mo
ment, and then slowly returned, placed
the, boy on the knee Of the chief, and
lfueeling ut his feet, burst into u flow Of
tears. The gloom passed from the
,achem's brow He rose and departed.
/ shall not attempt to describe the
agony OF the mother for the ensuing
days She was agitated by contending
hopes and fears. In the night she woke
from sleep, seeming tohear the screams
OF her child calling on its mother for
help. But the time wore away slowly
AMI the third day came. How slowly
did the honrsptSs. The morning waned
away, noon arrived vet the sachem
came not. There wins i gloom over tue
whole household. The mother was pale
and silent. Judge W. walked the
1oor to and fro, going every few minutes
minutes to the door, and looking through
the opening in the forest toward the
snchcm's abode. .". '.- .sHi
q Atltst as the rays Of the setting SIN
were thrown uponIthe trees around, the
eagle feathers of the chief we're seen
dancing above tine bushes in the dis
tance. He advanced rapidly aud the
. little boy was nt his side He was gaily
nttired as d young cliiGf-his feet being
dressed III mOccasins, n fine bciver skin
was on His shoulders, md eagle feathers
were stuck In his hHir. Hd wns in ex-
rellent spirits. and 50 proud WIS le Of
his lOu0rs, that he seemed nbyut two
inches taller than he was before. He
was soon in his mothers arms, and in
that brief minute she seemed to pass
from death 70 life. It was a happy
meeting-tOo happy for me 10 describe.
"irhe white man has conquered" said
the surhem hereafter letius be
friends. You have trusted au Indian /;
be.will repay you with eonfdence and
friendship III rr.., a...
Ife was Us good is lis word and
Judge W lived for many yeas at
peace with the Indian tribes, and suGr
ceedelln lying the foundation Of flour
ishing and prosperous community. ID
iSTorrNd A NEwspArER.--On Of our
exchanges has the following lllegory,
which we commend u the careful con.