Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-03-20
MARK HEBER'S LUCK.
AN INDIAN STORY

His home had been, from his earliest re-
membrance, upon a stony, worn out farm OF
fifty acres situated upon the Scnaca Lake, IN
Western New York. His father had become
so heavily involved in debt, that two weeks
before his death the farm had been sold by
foreclosure OF mortgage.
And now what was Mark to do?
He was lad of nineteen, slight and boyish
in frame, but with the strength OF man IN
his sinewy arms He had had the Usual ad'
vantages OF education afforded to farmer :
sons.
He returned home from his fathers grave
to the small, implanted story and half house,
and after him came his fathers only brother,
well-to do farmer, who resided in the neigh
borhood.
This uncle, Mr.. William Heber, was man
Of sixty, years, pompous and self-mportant.
had never been known to do generous deed.
while he had done many mean ones.
well Mark, said his uncle, I've sent
nv folks on home, so that | can have good
talk with YOU Morgan tells me he wants the
farm. He has held off two weeks while
George Was diving, but he wants to move in
next week. What are you going to do?
II don't know, uncle am trying to think
What can do
Il have thought the matter over, said Mr..
Heber, land have thought upon a plan. am
willing to take you, Mark, and treat you as
nv own son. You shall have home at my
house. and seat at my table What do you
"You forget, uncle, that have some one to
provide for besides myself said Mark. Sup
pose | were to accept this offer Of yours, what
will you do for Gay?''
1.-The girl is no relation Of yours, Mark.
The boy sighed.
Poor little Gay" he said; "hers is hald
lot. "Do you remember how the child came
by her name? 1t is thirteen years this spring
since lady stopped at our door and asked
leave to remain over night. She staid on day
after day, growing wonderland weaker. 1t did
not take long to discover that she was insane.
She called the child Gay, aud sometimes Ga
brielle. which is Gays true name. But she
did not tell her surname, nor anything con-
corning herself Late that summer she died.
No one ever came to enquire after her or the
child
Her mother was crazy tramp, and moth,
ING more. No wonder George was behind
hand, when his wife adopted the child OF a
tramp and brought her M lady, said his
uncle
Mark cnlorcd.
II caunot hear word against my mother,
sir he said 81 shall protect Cray while |
live. and she shall not be separated trom me.
Then | wash my hands of you, exclaimed
Mr.. Heber angrily. you can 90 your own
way and get your own living.
VERY well, sir, said Mark quietly: that
is settled then.
In one week Mark had sold pair of colts
which he had raised hiusel IT, for five hundred
dollars. the household furniture for nearly as
much more. and was on his way, with little
Cav, to the far West to seek their fortune.
The Young travellers arrived at Leavcn-
worth after a long and tatiguing journey.
Here Mark, while looking for wagon and
vnke of oxen with which to cross the prai-
riees. fell in with an old farmer named Whit
man, who had been living in Western Kansas.
but did not like it. and was now on his way to
Nebraska. Mark concluded to join him, and
Mr.. Whitman assisted him in purchasing a
suitable outfit, and that same night Mark and
GRAY were >nugiy ensconced in their huge
travelling wagon, outside of the city, on the
edre of the prairie, where Mr.. Whitman, with
his wife and seven children. had encamped.
Six other families were with them-the seven
wagons being "parked' in the form of circle
that is, the pole of one wagon resting upon
the rear of another-and the oxen, mules, hors-
Is. cows dogs aud pigs being gathered into the
circle thus protected.
Outside the circle of wagons great lire was
burning. and as Mark 9 wagon drove up, the
conductor of the train, Mr.. Landlord, came
forward and welcomed the new corners.
1t seemed to Cray and to Mark that they had
entered new and wonderous world.
Both lay long awake that night IN their
wagon, close up under the canvas ROOT and
they talked in whispers of their great future,
and wondered what it had in store for them.
The next morning at daybreak the camp was
aslir. BY sunrise the wagon train was on its
way toward the north west
At night they halted beside a small stream
and parked the wagons, and had supper, and
talked and sang songs and told stories, like one
great Joyous family.
At daybreak, again they were on the way.
In the course Of ten days, having travelled
rapidly for OK teams, they reached the Little
Blue river branch of the Big Blue. The
women built fires and began the preparation
of supper. The men proceeded to park the
wagons.
''The last train | took over this route was
attacked by Indians just here, said Conduc-
tor Landlord. They were unusually bold,
and we had tough fight Good Heavens
What is that ?
He beheld by the last rays of the sunset. a
mounted band of Indians, their weapons gilt
tering in the yellow light their plumes nod
ding in the wind, as they came on like whlrl-
wind.
"h.dtuns r yelled the conductor, in voice
that made every womans face turn white.
"Pawnees or Sioux, eau t tell which. They
seem to be on the war path. [ can see their
weapons. They outnumber US, counting in our
women. Call in the children. We shall have
to defend ourselves.
He blew shrill blast gu his bugle that rang
out far and wide. They were sweeping down
upon the train, with whoops and yells murder
and rapine in their very aspect. ;.
Conductor Landlord was skilled in Indian
warfare, and was scout of considerable note.
There are twenty savages, he announced
Remember, boys, you are fighting for your
mothers and sisters Show US what stuff you
are made Of
Then he shouted
Nov, men, the gun Have out the gun ):
They are in war paint and mean mischief
When | give the word, fire !!
Tho Indians came nearer and nearer. ad'