Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-02-14
1 TERRIBLE TEST OF FRIEND.
STRIP.


A TERRIBLE TEST OF FRIEND
STRIP.
The following beautiful story is old,
but literally true, and was first pub
lished in a lecture delivered by VIM.
Tracy, Esq, of Utica, New York, Oh
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 a widowed daughter with
only one child-a fine boy about four
years old. You will recolleet, the
country around was an unbrOken for
est, and this was the domain of the
savage tribes.
Judge w -- saw the necessity Of
Keeping on good terms with the Indi-
ans, for, as he was nearly alone, he
was completely at their mercy. Ac-
cOrdiDgly, he took every opportunity
to assure them of hls kindly feelings,
and to secure their good will in return,
several chiefs came to see him, aud
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 q
distance of twelve miles. had not yet
been to. see him, nor could he ascer-
tain the views and feelings Of the
sachem in respect to his settlement in
that region. At last he sent him q
message, and the answer was that tie
chief would visit him on the morrow.
True to his appointment, the sa-
chem came, and Judge received
him with marks of respect, and in
trOdueed his wife, his daughter aud
little boy. The interview that fol-
lowek was interesting Upon its re-
suits the Judge was convinced that
his security might depend, and he
was therefore exceedingly anxious TO
make favoreble impression on the
distinguished chief. He expressed /
his desire to settle in the country, to
live on terms of amity and good fel-
Iowship 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 you |
promise much. What pledge can you I
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 F'
Il have put my life in your hands"
said the Judge; ''is not that an evil
denee ofmy good intentions? have
placed confidence in the Indian, and /
will not believe that he will betray ]
the trust that is thus reposed."
$50 much is WE'LL" replied the !
chief Hthe Indian will repay conh-
denee for confidence; if you will trust
him he will trust you. Let this boy
90 with him to my wigwam- viii
bring him back in three days with my
If an arrow had pierced the bosom
of.the mother she could not have felt
a deeper pang, than went to her heart
as the Indian made his proposal. She
sprang forward, and running 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 press
ing him to her bosom, was about TO
fiy from the room. A gloomy and
ominous frown came over the saeh-
ems brow, but he did not speak. II
But not so with Judge W He
knew that the success Of their enter
prise, the lives of his family depended
on The decision of a moment. n
Stay, stay, my daughter" he said.
back the boy, 1 beseeeh you.
He is no more to you than to me, L
would not risk a hair of his head ,
But, my child, he must go with the
chief. God will watch over him He !
will be as safe in the sachem's wig ,
wan as beneath O1Esown roof" !
The agonized mother hesitGted for
A moment, and then slowly returned,
placing the boy on the knee of the 4
chief. and burst into a flood of tears. !
The gloom passed from the saehem's
brow. He arose and departed.
shall not attempt to describe the ,
agony Of the mother for the ensuing !
three days. She was agitated by con-
tending hopes and fears, In the
night She awoke from sleep, seeming
% hear the scream Sher child calling I
m her for help. She time wore J
away slowly; ana lird day came !
The morning wanG-, noon arrived, !
vet the sachem came not There was
, gloom over the household. The ,
mother was pale and silent. The II
Judge walked the floor to and fro. GO :
ng every few minutes to thedOOr aud .
o0king through the opening in the !
forest toward the sachem's abode. :
At last, as the rays Of the setting !
sun were thrown upon the tops of the :
rees around, the eagle feathers Of the !
shief were seen dancing above the /
pushes in the distance. He advanced
-apidly, aud the little boy was at his !
tide. He was gayly attired as q young 2
,hief-his feet being dressed in moe
,asins, q fine beaver skin was on his
IhouIders, and eagle feathers were
tuck in his hair. He was in excel
ent spirits, and so proud was he of !
lis hOnOrs, that he seemed about two !
inches taller than he was before. He :
vas soon in his mothers arms, and
n that brief minute she seemed 10
,ass from death to life. 1t was hap
" meeting-tOO happy for me to de- I
eribe. alr ff y !
1.-THE white man has conquered"
aid the sachem; thereafter let us be !.
riends. You have trusted an Indian. :
1e will repay yOu wirh his confidence
md friendship" ar--s -r
He was as good as his word; aud |.
Judge W lived for many years =
{ peace with the Indian tribes, ana : !
ucceeded in laying the foundation of !
fiourishing and prosperous COM
nunity. =
Those keeping horses should twice I
.,..,t- tb-o,ss-ifrT q handful Of aalf anil o