The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-18
MARK HEBER'S LUCK.
AN INDIAN STORY.


AN INDIAN STORY.
Mark Heber returned home from his fathers fune.
raj with the problem OF his own future pressing
ton ton '''' '''.' -''' '''''s '''' ~
His home had been. from his earliest remem-
situated upon the Seneca Lake, in western New
YORK. His iather had become 30 heavily involved
had been sold by foreclosure OF mortgage.
And now what was Mark to dor
Win aa Us a. 9ns ana n his
arms He had had the usual advantages OF education
He returned nome from his fathers grave to The
small unpa!nted story. and.a MALT house; and after
him came his fathers only brother. we-to-do lar
mer, who resided In The neighborhood.
THIS UNCLE Mr.. William neber. was man OF sixty
years. pomp)us and seliimportant HIS soul was
or the smallest pattern, and he mad never been
known to do generous deco, while he had done
well Marx" said his uncle. "rve sent my folks
on home, SO that can have good talk with you.
Morgan tells me he wants the farm. He has held
or TWO weeks while George was dying. but he
wants 10 move In next week. What are you going
ri don't know. uncle, am trying to think. What
"lhave thought the matter over" said Mr.. Heber,
sand have thought upon a plan. am willing to
shall have q home at my house, and o seat at my
table. What do you say Y"
or anS a Ina Msr one TO pro-
were 10 accept this ofler OF yours. what viii you DO
for Gayr
'.rhe girl is no relation OF yours, Mark"
''Poor little Gay" he said ''bers Is o hard 10.
Do You remember how the child came BY her manner
1t thirteen years this spring since lady stopped at
our door ana asked leave to remain over night She
stayed on DAY after day, growing WEAKER r. ana ~.
was insane. She called the child Gay and some
times Gabrielle, which Is Gays true name. But she
did not tell her surname. nor any thing concerning
herself Late that summer she died. NO one ever
came TO inquire after her or the child"
III 10Th Vvno tpo1n AnHn nth tnry
his wife adopted the child OF tramp and brought
her Ss up cn laay." said his uncle
al cannot near word against my mother SIR"
shall Zinc NOT be- separated rom me-" NV 'N sue
"Then / wash my hands or YOU" exclaimed Mr.
Heber angrily: .".you can go your own way and get
",ery wen, Sir" said Mark quietly; "thas is SET.
in one week Mark had sold pair Of colts which
be had raised himself for $780, the household furni
ture for nearly as much more, and was on his way,
The 81
after long ana fatieuing journey.
Of oxen with which to cross the prairies, fell IN
with an old farmer named Whitman. who mad been
was now on his way to Nebraska. Mark concluded
to Join him, and Mr.. Whitman assisted hun In pur-
na a were snurv IN fhsr Sge
travelling wagon. outside OF the city, on the
edge Of the prairie, where MI. Whitman, with his
wife and seven clildren had encamped. SIX other
families were with them-the seven wagons being
"parKed In The form OF clrcle-that is, The pole OF
one wagon resting upon the rear OF anOther-and
the oxen, mules horses, COWS, dogs and pigs being
gathered Into the circle thus protected.
burning, ana as Marks WACO drove up the con-
ductor OF the train Mr. Landlord, came forward and
welcomed the newcomers.
1t seemed to Gay and Mark that they had entered
a new and wondrous word.
Both lay long awake that night In their wagon.
close up under the canvas ROOF, aud they talked In
whispers OF their great future, and wondered what
1t had IN store for them.
The next morning at daybreak the camp was
towards the northwest.
At night they halted beside small stream and
parked the wagons, and had supper, and talked and
sang songs and told stories' ike one great Joyous
AT daybreak again they were on the way.
In the course OF ten days. having travelled RAD
IDLY for OK teams, they reached the Little Blue
fres and began the preparation OF supper. The
men proceeded to park the wagons.
by Indians just mere" said Conductor Landlord
"rhey were unusually bold and we had tough
hight: Good heavensl What is thats"
mounted band Of Indlans. theif weapons gIitterins
in the yellow light their plumes nodding In the
"lndians" yelled the conductor. IN a voice that
made every woman,s face turn white. "Pawnees
war path. can see their weapons. They outnum-
Der us, counting In our women Call In the chill
He blew shrll blast on his bugle that rang ont
far and Wide. They were sweeping down upon the
tram. with wnoops and yeils murder and rapine In
Conductor Landlord was skilled in Indian war.
fare ana was scout .n, Of considerable note
Remember, boys you are lighting for your mothers
and sisters; show us what stur you are made or"
..Mow, men, the gunl Have out the gum They
are in war paint, and mean mischief When give
the Indians came nearer and nearer, advancing
In o straight line.
.NOw, boys, give them hint that we are not fool.
Marx HeDer and MS young comrades fred vol
IT The next moment shower of bullers came hurt
ling toward the defenders Of the camp,
.'rhe gun" cried Landlord. "Give 1t to 'em
SWhitman did ''give 1t to Them" moving down
three mounted savages, horses and riders rolling
over and over IN horrible death agony.
Tne remaining savages again came to a halt, but
only for al instant With Terrific warwhoop they
came again 70 the onslaught, firing as they came
GAN togetherv' cried the guide.
the olner mon and all the boys fred, each with
especial ann. SIX mounted savages fell before the
A panic Immediately seized upon the survivors
In the midst OF 1t whitman grimly touched or his
field. piece anew.
THIS ended the CONNECT. The savages with horrt
Die ye.ls beat an instantaneous retreat, leaving
their dead upon the neld and dragging away tneT
Amory mad bullet wound in his shoulder, and
Arnold's eldest son mad q flesh wound In his arm;
but neither Of these injuries was serious.
care you safe, Gayr' demanded Mark, coming
toward her.
ayes, but Pm almost smotheredn answered Gay.
"Have the savages surely gone, Markf"
Gay cautiously crept forth while she was speaking.
The remaining wagons disgOrged their crOuchng
occupants, women and children coming forth pale
and trembling, but full Of joyful gratitude at their
escape from death, fate worse than death. The
camp took on It's usual appearance even before the
reireang savages were entirely lost to view In the
prairie, and met with no adventure. A guard was
maintained as on the previous night but no Indi-
ans were TO be seen.
Every day Tor the week that followed the en-
campuient on the Little Blue was full OF incident
put all OF the pleasant sort, nothing occurring to
alarm the emlgrants.
And at the end of the week. to their great Joy and
relief they arrived at Fort Kcarney.
The emigrants did not halt at the tort but pressed
on 70 City. Whera ina af