The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-10-25

"iiiSAh NJ 1OOhCd pun III luuOCtIlb bdDJ
nothing but the courage of despair ena-
bled me to walk into his presence.
l went up to him calmly, trying to shape
my trembling lips into smile then, nod
ding in ghastly friendliness to him, | en-
deavored to take my baby in my arms.
Of course | could not. l knew it would
be useless. He was held as in vise-the
great bony fingers of the monster tight
ened around him, and | withdrew my
hold.
"Ugh!" growled the savge. Big In
lin me y
Yes, of course ~ faltered, family
Big Injin mel" he repeated, fiercely.
started wildly, and clasped my hands
in terror, then went about, my wits wan
dering, my head dizzy with fear and dread,
and put upon the table all the eatables /
could find-everything that I had ever
known to tempt the appetite or fancy of a
savage. He looked upon me like de-
mon in a quiescent state, following me
about with ferocity that reminded me
of something terrible, knew not what.
/ Then pointing to the table, Iagain strove
to take the child in my arms. All in vain.
! Looking with ineffablc scorn upon the
food prepared for him, and laying one
strong finger on his brawny breast, he
said again, with fierce dignity
! Ugn! big In]ln me
He strobe forward. Malcolm screamed
and put his little hands to me. I fell at the
monsters feet. l implored, begged of
him with streaming eyes. | besought him
to think how unworthy thing it was for
a great chieftain, the head, no doubt. of a
| powerful nation, to torture a poor help
less woman. implored him to wait till
my husband should come, and all the
| treasures conceivable of blankets in
| liyeliest colors, of beads as glittering as his
own dreadful eyes, of trinkets as gaudy as
they were worthless, should be laid at the
monsters feet.
For moment he paused and laid his
hand heavily upon the weapon in his belt.
But the thought of Draining me then and
| there seemed too merciful. He kicked me
brutally aside, and trailing his filthy blali-
ket over my half unconscious vision, strobe
away, taking with him my little baby.
| looked with a terrible fascination upon the
powerful strides that widened the distance
between us, till away in the distance he
leaped upon his pony and disappeared in a
cloud of dust.
Then became mercifully oblivious of
everything. | fell prone in the dust at my
doorway, and remained there till Charley
came.
lie has told me of the horror that ap-
palIed him when he found me senseless
and his baby gone. For three days he was
kept upon this terrible rack Of suspense,
only when regained consciousness to be
plunged i'll deeper and more overwhelm-
ing grief
/ For refused to be comforted!
What! endure life with this terrible
agony soaring into my brain! | could far
/ better have resigned him to death and the
| I unioht with hurCtiDCr hparf
have given him into the arms of the gra-
cious and bountitul Savior; but to think
of him as the prey of this swarthy fiend!
to imagine him in the power OF this mon
ster The thought was uncomfortable. The
sooner was a maniac the better
| They hunted for him far and wide, send
ing hither and thither, upon this trail and
/ that Charley remained by my bedside
torn with conflicting agony.
1t was season of horror and despair.
A month elapsed, and | was sinking into a
rapid decline. Mamma was on her way
out to me, but / felt she would never see
me alive. | did strive for Charley's sake
at this late hour to live, but my health,
already shattered. had received a terrible
shock. Nothing but n miracle could save
me. / lay day after day in an apathetic
stupor, from which they feared to arouse
me lest it should turn to frenzy.
/ Let me see if [ can recall that soft beau
tiful eventide the very air was laden with
balm and healing. A gentle wind stirred
the broad leaves of Il gOurd vine | had
planted in the early spring.
An overwhelming sense Of my unwOrth-
! mess assailed me. 1t seemed as if the
Spirit of God had touched my heart and
filledi it with a premonition of something
sweet and holy and infinitely lnerciful. If
| were indeed destined to die then and
there. | could at least be perhaps forgiven.
g Charley" I said, striving to reach his
bowed and grief-stricken head Charley
| have been wicked, hardened, rebellious
creature. I have sinned against God and
against you. | have dared to doubt
his wisdom and mercy. Charley, the
good God has taken care of our little one
Somewhere his little bones lie bleaching
but. dearest and best, our baby is with the
blessed Savior"
ssAnd you will live ~ said Charley, i'm
ploringly.
''Ah, love, ;: answered, g that, I think,
is impossible
He bent his head again and a strong
tremor shook his frame.
Suddenly [ thought heard a faint foot
fall. 1t was like the ghost of a vanished
memory, but it stirred a host OF emotions
ABOUT lily Ilc Ndo Pl1lGIis
the latch moved. Yes, it was, indeed, oh,
lit aoas my pretty sad Young Indian squaw.
BHer blanket, dirtier than ever, hung loose
Wv about her; in the pouch at her back
nestled her baby. She glided in her old
noiseless way to her familiar nook by the
fire, looking upon me with singular wild
yearning.
Chickaminny, papoosey, shake" said
the plaintive musical voice.
| burst into a torrent of merciful tears.
For the first time the fountains of my
heart were unsealed. / stretched forth to
her my hands.
s'Alas, poor mother y / said, g | am all
unable to help your baby now; but give
him to me. Ali babies seem near and dear
. to me now
. She said again, sadly and tremblingly,
, . Chickaminny, papoosey, shake, - and
took from the pouch in the blanket child
child, sadly thin and hunger-stricken