Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-11-05
An Indian Story,

Town was callcl nOlyOke, tnere llNeu IN
new homo man, his wife and two little
boys The house was not large and COM
Portable like the one that took its place
there was no great, handsome tree throw
iug its broad shade far around in summer
time; no pleasant back porch on which to
stand-shaded by the vines--and eat
grapes as to-day. But rude and small, it
was still their precious home, and the sun
shone as brightly on the bills behind, and
the spring brought just as many gifts in
verdurc, flowers and birds, then as now.
The fathers business was tcaming be-
tween Boston and Springfield Holyoke
boys understand "teaming as carrying
goods from the mills to the depot or from
the depot to the mills, or perhaps two or
three miles. ] doubt if they can imagine
teaming over that long, plodding distance
through the woods from here to Boston.
Think Of the lonely hours Of the journey,
many miles intervening between the houses,
oltontimes DO friendly faces appearing upon
the road, no companionship except his
faithful dog and horses. Think Of the
anxiety Of bis wife and children, if his
absence was prolonged for the Indian was
a great "scarc in those days, and the
fierce wildcat hugged tight " if met after
dark. presume he had anxious hours for
them also.
Well, one dark night he came home late
in O storm Of sleet, cold, wet, and hungry.
He had longed for its comfort sometime be-
fore be reached It, and he was in a hurry
to get of the garments crusted with ice,
toast his feet before the brisk Ere and do
justice to the delicious supper his good wife
/ had prepared for him. Didn't he want to
take the Jackets of from those big feeling
puffy potatoes in quick time And hadn
the bacon, pumpkin pies, and doughnuti
been right under his nose for as much as 9
dozen miles ? But first his team must b,
attended to, his horses fed and sheltered fol
the night. Their food awaiting them il
the stalls, and the doors wide open, they
refused to enter and to his atonishment
20 coaxing or urging on his part could in
duce his staid, docile, well behaved animals
to take up their accustomed abode. So
leaving open the doors, be betook himsel
to bis much needed comfort and-it mus
be confessed---never went out again to lool
after his horses Now you must remember
how wet tired and hungry he was, and b,
charitable, even if you do think it quee
proceeding.
1t was not long before all was quiet il
doors and out, the little boys cuddled ava,
in the same room with father and mother
all the household treasures gathered into
few feet Of space the good dog, an eve
wide awake sentinel, guarding the premise
outside, and a tall, grim defender, weI
loaded with ball, standing at the head O
the bed
Hours after, the dog aroused his maste
by anugly meaning growl, and creeping ou
strealthily into the living room he hear
the low cultural tones that Indians use an
heard also one slap his side as if trying t
make a friend Of the dog. 1t was tn
darkest of nights, but he was sure NOR
than one enemy lurked outside, and hi
brave dog and trusty gun had some wor
to do. He could not reach the dog to Civ
any advice, but he was so wise natural
and so well taught that he could allow hiI
TO manage where he was. The gun d,
pended upon him, though nothing loath
" tear away" when put on the track. ;,
/. lifting it carefully and aiming as he though
about right, he waited while the dog snarle
and growled and barked, and the lndar
, battered the door with tomahawks. All a
once it was quiet no sound from dog {
Indians, and the door was yet whole. The
are listening outside his arms aching wit
holding up the gun his wife trembling
the bed room the little boys crying still
under the bed clothes.
Presently he heard the marauders nei
the window, and he determined upon bol
move. He raised it softly, put out ii
mouth Of the gun, and its lusty voice al
! swered the touch Of his thumb Then a
i was still again, very still, and although
c waited long time to know what more mu
+ be done, neither dog nor Indians made ar
!, move that he could discover, even by usiI
d his ears at their best, and you may
G sure they had been opened pretty wide
J his danger. At last he crept back to b.
u in the dark-all had been done in the dar
d you know. have often wondered if
6 slept any more that night. The little bo
IS did, for they felt safe again; but the faith
a. and mother, if they had no fears, mig
le have been too thankful to sleep.
le The morning disclosed a sad sight The
'e lay the brave dog helpless at the door,
70 huge cut through one of his shoulders, and
l. pool of blood near the window, where I
10 man had heard the Indians consutir
At showed the work of the gun. Up to I
window from the barn were the tracks
IN three Indians, and from the window We
D. the tracks of two. The Indians had tri
G. to light fire around the house, but the "
al night had preserved their home and th'
ID from dreadful doom.
20 A company followed the trail of feet a
Sc bloody trail Of their disabled comrade aw
n over fields and hills as far as a swamp, a
re there they lost all traces Of the wanton d
C. turbers their peace, Safe in the barn w
the horses, who you understand, "smell
Indian and knowingly kept out Of bad co
pany. have sometimes thought their m
ter did, too, but | am not certain, aud as
at was one of my relations, | wish to tell {
at actly the truth about him. The dog v
al taken into the house and his wounds vi
All dressed with loving care, but that ugly to
be ahawk prevented tho brave fellow from wa
he ing for six weeks,
nd For long time the door bearing the to
p ahawks marks was preserved in the ba
re | used to think would propose to some
on my boys to walk out there some pleas
he Saturday, and behold relic of sin
all trial Of the first settlers of this beauti
w. valley, and ask the genial owner of
q home on that spot to repeat to you
nd story of my ancestor as he has told it
~ me. He was so much of an invalid in
'ly last years that feared to intrude upon
ID. some time when he was more than usua
I'D i'll, and so waited too long. His lips
m never welcome us, nor give to you an i
q of his charming storytelling; so the st
le, comes from -Holyoke (Mass) Tr
t. scrigt.
d's --...--
fu- Tommy, do you know your A B O.
nYeq sir. [ know n lee seeS "replied Toni