Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-10-28
A Terrible Test of Friendship.


orally true, and was first published in lecture
delivered by Wm. Tracy, Esq, Of Utica, N.
Y, on the early history Of Oneida county.
One Of the first settlers in Western New
York was Judge W, who established him.
self at Whitestown, about four miles from Uti-
ca. He brought his family with him, among
whom was widowed daughter with only one
cbild-a fine boy about four years old. You
will recollect, the country AROUND was an un-
broken forest, and this was the domain Of the
savage tribes.
Judge W-saw the necessity Of keeping
on good terms with the Indians, for, d, be was
nearly alone, he was completely at their mer-
cy. Accordingly he took every opportunity
to assure them of his kindly feelings, and to Sc
cure their good will In return. Several Of the
chiefs came to see him, and all appeared pacif-
ic. But there was one thing that troubled
him, an aged chief of the Oneida tribe, and one
of great influence, who resided at distance Of
a dozen miles, had not yet been to see him,
nor could he ascertain the views and feelings
of the sachem in respect to his settlement in
that region. At last he sent in messages and
the answer was that the chief would visit him
on tomorrow True to his appointment the
sachem came. Judge W-received him with
marks of respect and introduced his wife, his
daughter and little boy. Upon its result the
Judge was convinced that his security, might
depend, and he was therefore exceedingly anx-
ious to make 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.
The chief heard him out and then said
Brother, you ask much and 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 !"
al have put my life in your hands, said
the Judge; is not that an evidence of my good
intentions?" have placed confidence in the
Indian, and will not believe that he will abuse
or betray the trust that is thus reposed."
$50 much is WELL" replied the chief; the
Indian will repay confidence with confidence
if you will trust him he will trust you. Let
this boy go with me to my wigwam-I will
bring him back in three days with my an
swerW
II an arrow had pierced the bosom Of the
mother she could not have felt deeper pang
than went to her heart as the Indian made
this proposal. She sprang forward, and run
ming to the boy, who stood at the side Of the
sachem, looking into his face with pleased
wonder and admiration, she encircled him in
her arms, and, pressing him to her BOSOM,
was about to fly from the room. A gloomy
and ominous frown came over the sachem's
brow, but he did not speak.
But not so with Judge. He knew
that the success of their enterprise, the lives of
his family depended on the decision Of mo-
ment.
"Stay, stay, my daughter" he said
Bring back the boy, bcscech you. lie is
not more to you than me. | would moi. risk
hair of his head. But my child, he must
20 with the chief God will watch over him !
He will be as safe in the sachem's wigwam as
beneath our own roof"
The agonized mother hesitated for a moment
and then slowly returned, placing the boy on
the knee of the chief, and kneeling at his feet,
burst into a flood of tears. The gloom passed
from the sachem's brow lie arose and de-
parted.
shall not attempt to describe the agony Of
the mother for the ensuing days She was
agitated by contendng hopes and fears. In
the night she awoke from sleep; seeming to
hear the screams of her child calling on its
mother for help. But the time wore away
slowly-and the third day came. How slow
" did the hours pass. The morning waned
away, noon arrived; yet the sachem came
not. There was gloom over the whole house.
hold. The mother was pale and silent. Judge
W walked the floor to and fro, going ev-
cry few minutes to the door, and looking
through the opening in the forest to the
sachem's abode.
At last as the rays Of the setting sun were
thrown upon the tops Of the trees around, the
eagle feathers Of the chief were seen dancing
above the bushes in the distance. He ad-
vanced rapidly-and.the little boy was at bis
side. He was gaily attircd as a young chiei
his feet being dressed In moccasins, fus
beaver skin was on his shoulders, and eagle
feathers were stuck in his hair. He was il
excellent spirits, and so proud was he Of BIZ
honors, that he seemed about two inches taller
/ than he was before. lie vas soon in his moth
er's arms, and In that brief minute she seemed
to pass from death to life. 1t was happy
meeting-too happy for me to describe, " Th'
white man has conquered" said the sachem
hereafter let us be friends. You have trustee
an Indian; he will repay you with confdenc'
and friendship"
He was as good as bis word; and Judg'
W-lived for many years at peace with tb'
Indian tribes, and succeeded in laying th
the foundation Of fourishing and prosperou
community.