New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-03-18
Mark Heber'S Luck.
AN INDIAN STORY.


upon stony wornout farm Of fifty situated upon
Che Seneca Lake in Western New York. His father had
become heavily involved in debt that two weeks be-
fore his death the farm had sold by foreclosure OF
mortgage.
And what was Mark TO dos
He lad Of nineteen, slight and boyish In Frame
tut with the strength Of a in his sinewy arms He
bad had the usual advantages Of education afforded TO
farmers sons.
He returned home from his fathers grave to the small
implanted story and half house, and after him came
MS fathers only brother well-todo farmer who re-
sided in the neiChborhOOd.
This uncle. Mr. William Hebcr. a man Of sixty
years pompOus and sefmporant. His soul was of the
smallest pattern. and he had been known TO do
generous deed. while he had done many mean ones
"Well. Mark" said his uncle "Ive sent my folks on
home 40 that have a good talk with Morgan
tells he wants the farm He has held of two weeks
while George dying, but he wants to move in next
week. What are you going to doi"
L don't know, uncle. L am trying to think. What
can dol"
L have thought the matter over" said Mr.. Heber,
and have thought upon plan. am willing to take
you Mark. and treat you my son. You shall have
home at my house, and seat at my table What DO
Won sayf"
You forget uncle. that have some one to provide
for besides myself" SAID Mark. Suppose were to
accept this offer of yours. what will you do for Gay"
THE girl is no relation OF yours Mark
The boy sighed
YOU remember how the clild by her namel 1t is
thirteen years this Spring lady stopped at our
door asked leave to remain over night She stayed
on DAY after day. growing weaker and weaker II did
not take long to discover that she was insane she
called the child Gay and sometimes Gabrielle. which is
Gays true But she did not tell her surname nor
anything concerning herself Late that summer she
died No one ever came to inquire after her OF the
child"
Her mother was a crazy tramp, and nothing more.
80 wonder George hehndhand, when his wife
adopted the child OF tramp and brought her up lady,
said ms uncle.
Mark colored.
Il cannot hear a word against my mother, Sir" he
said shall protect Gay while live and She shall Lot
be separated from me-"
"Thcn wash my hands Of YOU" exclaimed Nj Heller
euHily. You can 60 your own way and get your own
living"
very WELL sir" said Mark quietly; that is settled
then"
In ono week Mark had sold pair OF colts which he
had raised himself fva hundred dollars the house
hold furniture for nearly much more and was on his
way with little Gay to Tie far West, TO seek their for
tune.
The young travellers arrived at Leavenworth after
long and fatguing journey.
Here Marx, while looking for wagon and yoke Of
oxen with which TO cross the praries fell in with old
farmer named Whitman, who had been living in Western
Kansas but did not like it, and his way 10
Nebraska. Mark concluded to join HIN, ana Mr. Whlt,
that same night Mark and Gay we're snury ensconced
IN their huge travelling wagon out side OF the city, the
edge the prairie where Mr. whitman, with his wife
aud seven children had encamped Six other families
were with them-the seven wagons being parked In
the form of circe-hat is the pole of one wagon rest
ing upon the rear Of anOther-and the oxen, mules,
horses, COWS, dogs, and pigs beng gathered INTO the
Outside the circle OF wagons great fire was burning
aud ~ Marks wagon droVe up, the conductor 81 !ne
train, MT Landlord, came forward and welcomed the
newcomers.
1t to Gay and TO Mark that they had entered
new ana wOndrOus world.
Both lay long awake that night in their wagon. close
up under the roof and they talked in whispers OF
he great future and wondered what 1t had III store for
The next morning at daybreak the camp was astiT by
the wagon train was on its way toward the north
Al night they halted beside small stream and parked
and told stories like one great JOYOUS family.
Adaybreak again they were Oh the Way roo, for
* teams they reached the Little Blue RIVER branch of
fhe Big Blue. The bGit fires and began the pre-
laration Of supper The men proceeded 10 PARK tne
The last train took over this route was attacked by
Indians lust here, said Conductor Landlord. They
we're unusually bold, and we had tough light Good
He heheld by the last rays Of the sunset, mounted
band Of Indians their weapons gtering IN the yellow
ht their pumes nodding in the wind as they came ON
iSiansr yelled the conductor in voice that made
every wOmans face turn white. g Pawnees or sioux
can't tel which They sem TO be on t1e ne. war pam IN
can their weapons They Outnumber US counting ia
our women Call in the children. We sAa nave 10 uo
He blew shrn blast on his bugle that rang ont far
ana wide. They were sweeping down upon me ian,
a..
@ductor Landlord skilled in Indian warfare and
There STSS are twenty savsge he announced Re
,,.,,hcr bows YOU fighting for your mothers and
t,.ters show US what stuff you are made or
S NEW men the gunl Have out the gun They
Il, var p,iut and mean mischief When give the word
me Indians came nearer and nearer, advancing in a
straight Inc .ho,o hint that we are not foolipg
Now, boys give tneih d n''i' '-"' "" ''N NV 1"'
sag We cher and his young comrades fired voey
"A
nd the defenders OF the camp 49,, @,
The Gun !" cried Landlord "ONe IL 10 en- VIM
nan" D.. a. .hor, - ,ro,ri,g oovrr +,reo
",,ntcJ saVages horses and riders rolling over and
ever in horrible death agony.
The remaining sayages again can't 10 ia ouu oig
f an instant. With terrific War-WLoob tAey came on
arn the onslaught nrlng as they CAME ana IoOhIHg
like incarnate demons
All together :" crde the guide. 80
The other men and all the boys fired, each with
especial aim. mounted savages feu before the
deadly ram -. A.. ..o, u
che midst Of II Whitman grimy touched OIL his held
THIS ended the conflict. The savages with horrible
beat instantaneous retreat leaving thtr ueau
.IpOr the held and dragged away lheir WOuhded
AInoly had bullet wound in ms shoulder ana
ArDold's eldest had flesh wound IN BIS arm pu'
neither Of these injuries was serious.
Are you safe Gay I" demanded MARX, coming toward
- Yes but I IN almost smothered," answered Gay.
Have the sayages surely gone, Mark I"
GAY cautiously Crept forth while she was speaking
The remaining wagons dssoreed thelr crOnching occu
pants women and children coming forth pale ana uein'
bling full OF joyful gratitude at their escape from
DEATH or fate than death The camp took On ts
before the rctfedtlng saVages
were entirely lost 10 view in the far distance That
they encauped the prairie ana met WIN no
"a'cu,'ic guard "as maintained as Oh 'Ao pIo'ou'
Every the week that followed the encampment
'l Tie Little Blue was iull OF incident, out all OF the