Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1872-03-23
Mark Heber's Luck.
AN INDIAN STORY.


lily involved in debt, that two weeks before his
death the farm had been sold by foreclosure Of
mortgage.
And now what was Mark to do2
He was a lad OF nineteen, slight and boyish in
frame. but with the strength of a man in his
snewy arms.l He had had the usual advan-
tages OF education afforded to farmers sons.
He returned home from his fathers grave to
the small implanted story and a-half house, aHd
after him came his fathers only brother, we'll
TODD farmer, who resided in the neghborhood
This uncle Mr. William Heber, was man of
sixty years, pompous and self-important His
soul was Of the smallest pattern, and he had
never been known to do generous deed, while
he had done many mean ones.
Well, Mark" said his uncle, I've sent my
folks on home, 80 that can have a good talk
with YOU Morgan tells me he wants tho farm.
He has held off two weeks while George was dy-
ing, 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 doi'
Il have thought the matter over" said Mr.
lIeber, land have thought upon plan am
willing 10 take you, Mark, and treat you AZ my
own sOn. You shall have a home at my house
and seat at my table What do You aay?"
lyon forget, uncle, that l have some one to
provide for besides myself, said Mark: suppose
we're to accept this offer Of yours, what will
You do for Gay!" -...
.'The girl is no relation Of yours, Mark"
Tho buy sighed.
''GOOf lltlle gay ne tulu; nGlh IL u nara lOts
'Do you remember how tho child came by her
name Il il thirteen years this spring since
lady stopped at our door and asked leave to re-
main over night. She stnid ON day after day,
growing weaker and weaker. 1t did not take
long to discover that she was insane. She called
the child Gay, and sometimes Gabrielle, which
IL Gays true name. But she did not tell her
surname, nor anything concerning herself.
Late that summon she died. No one ever came
to inquire after her or the child
sHer mother WaB a crazy tramu. anil noflinO
more. No wonder George was behindhanl.
when his wife adopted the child of a tramp and
brought her up lady, said his uncle.
Mark colored.
II cannot hear a word against my mother.
sir" he said II shall protect Gay while live,
and she shall not DO separated from me-"
Then l wash my hands of you," exclaimed
Mr.; Beber angrily. '.You can go your o Sn way,
Very, well, sir, said Mark quietly; chat is
tettled then"
In one week Mark had sold pair Of colts
which he had raised himself, for five hundred
dollars, the household furniture for nearly as
much more, and was on his way, with little Gay.
to tue far West, to seek their fortune.
The young travellers arrived at LeRvenworl h
after long and fatguing journey.
Here Mark, while looking for a wagon and a
yoke of oxen with Which to cross the prairies,
fell in with an old farmer named Whitman 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 suitable outfit and
that same night Mark and Gay were snugy ell
hcOpced in their huge travelling wagon, outside
of the city, on the edge OF the prairie, where
Mr.. Whitman, with his wife aud seven children,
had encamped. Six other families were with
them--the seyon wagons being parked in the
form Of circle that is the polo of one wagon
resting upon the rear Of anOther-and the oxen,
nlulss, horses cows. dogs and pigs being gath
cred into the circle thus protected.
10 fba niraIa nft va Of FraN
burning, and az Marks wagon drove up, the CON
ducter OF the train, Mr.. Landlord, came forward
and welcomed the new corners.
1t.seemed to Gay and to Mark that they hal
entered new and wondrous world.
Both lay awake that night in their wagon,
close under the canvass roof. and they talked in
whispers Of their great future, and wondered
what il had in store for them.
The next morning at day break the camp was
astir. by sunrise the wagon train was on its
way toward the northwest
At night they halted beside a small stream,
and parked the wagons, and had supper, and
talked and sang songs like one great joyous
family.
At daybreak they were again on the way.
In the course OF ten days, having Travelled
rapidly for OK teams, they reached the Little
Blue river, a branch the Big Blue The women
built fires and began the preparation Of supper.
The men proceeded to park the wagons
1.-THE last train took over this route at
tackled by Indians just here" said Conductor
Landlord "They were unusually bold, and We
had tough fight Good Heavens What il
that 2"
He beheld, by the last rays of the sunset.
mounted band of Indians, their weapons gilt
tering in the yellow light, their plumes noddint
In the wind as they came on like a whirlwind
indians ~ yelled the conductor, in voice
that made every woman'B face turn white
"Pnwnees or Sioux, / can't tell which. The,
seem TO be on the war path. l can see thei
weapons. They outnumber us, counting in on
Gal in ha nj. Va atto all havf
to defend ourselves"
He blew shrill blast on his bugle that rang
out far and wide. They were sweeping dowr
upon the train, with whoops and yells, muir
der and rapine in their very aspect.
Conductor Landlord was skilled in Indian war
fare, and was a scout of considerable note.
There are twenty sayages." he announced
Remember, boys, you are fighting for you
mothers and sisters. Show us what stun yo
are made Of"
snow, men, the gun! Have out the gun
They are in war paint, and mean mischief
When give the word, fire !"
The Indians came nearer and nearer, advan
cling in straight line.
Now, boys, give them hint that we are NO
fooug" said the guide grimly.
Mark Heber and his young comrades fired
volley.
The next moment shower OF. bullets cam
hurtling toward the defenders Of the camp.
1.-THE gun" cried Landlord. "Give it to EN-
Whitman"
Whitman did "give it to them, moving dow
three mounted sayages, horses and riders rOl
ing over and over in horrible death agony.
The remaining savages again came to a hal
but only for an instant. With n terrific WA
Whoop, they came on again to the onslaught
firing as they came, and looking like incarnat
demons.
"All together !" cried the guide.
The other men and all the boys fired, eac
with especial aim. Six mounted sayages fe
before the deadly rain.
A panic Immediately seized upon the sury
vors. In the midst Of it, Whitman grim
touched off his ieLl-piece anew.
This ended the conflict. Tie savages wit
horrible yells beat an instantaneous retrea
lelving their dead upon the field, and draggil
away their wounded.
Amory had bullet wound in his shoulde
and Arnold's eldest son had flesh wound in j
arm, but neither Of these injuries was serou
"Are you safe, Gay ~ demanded Mark con
ing toward her.
Yes, but I'm almost smothered," answer'
Gay. "Have the savages surely gone, Marx
Gay cautiously crept forth while she W
speaking. The remaining wagons disgorg'
their crouching occupants, women and childr'
coming forth pale and trembling, but full
joyful gratitude at their escape from death,
fate worse than death. The camp took on
usual appearance, even before the retreatil
savages were entirely lost to view in the far di
lance. That night they encamped upon Il
urNiria nd nat tyith M a1Vantura. A