The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-08-01


1t is indeed magnificent evening" )"
replied the superintendent, I'VE really
enjoy very fine climate in this sec
ton OF country. l have never seen
anywhere clearer sky or more trans
parent atmosphere, and nature so
grand but, against all of this, we are
deprived of nearly all the luxuries and
comforts of the old country, to say
nothing of the constant dangers to
which we are exposed from the Indi-
ans; for we are on the utmost limits
OF civilization. You, who have Just
left the civilized shores of Europe, can
scarcely form any idea of the cruelty
OF these barbarians. Life is indeed
very severe in this new eountry..n
"4 es," said his wife, whose fine
physiognomy indicated her great force
of character; "it is only a few years
ago that | was obliged to do sentinel
duty, and stand at the entrance of the
fort with shotgun in my hand, while
the men were occupied in cultivating
the fields around t"*
The conversation was here interrupt
ed by one of the servants, Who came
TO say that stranger was waiting to
see the superintendent and his wife.
They all arose from the tea-table
you look very sad this evening,
mademoiselle," said the officer, adj
dressing young girl of sixteen or
eighteen years of age, and who, from
a strong resemblance, could be easily
recognized as the daughter of NJ. Baby.
"W hat can have happened to cause
stich a shadow to fall on your fair
brow while all are smiling around
you, your heart seems full of sorrow?
1t is almost impossible that any one
could contemplate this lovely scene,
and not experience feeling of interior
peace. Nothing so completely bewil-
ders me like an evening of this kind.
This graceful harmony of light and
shade is for ME full of mysterious
intOxication."
ALAS ~ said the yoiing girl, "a few
days ago l too could have enjoyed
this scene; but to-day, as it were,
every object is covered with a funeral
pail. This beautiful sky, these green
fields, the flowers and fruit, these ver-
millior roses, which charm your sight,
everywhere"
My God !" cried the officer, what
misfortune can have happened to you?"
ooh only a few hours ago, l wit
messed such a distressing scene that
it is impossible to imagine it. l can
not obliterate it from my mind or dis
tract my thoughts in the least from
the shocking spectacle But l ought
not to. distress you by this sorrowful
recital. l had rather let you enjoy
tranquility these hours that afford you
SO much pleasure"
Continue, cof1tiHtie, p" exclaimed he.
''Relate to me this tragic story Hap
piness is often so selfish, but we should
always have our sympathies ready for
the sorrows of others"
The young girl then continued
Day before yesterday evening, party
of Indians half intoxicated came into
the fort to see my father; they brought
with them a young girl, whom they
had captured several days before
Oh! if you could only have seen the
DESPAIR on her countenatfee Poor
child, her clothes were in rags, her hair
hung in tangled masses, and her face
was all scratched and bleeding. She
did not litter a complaint, nor did she
weep; but stood with fixed eyes, mute
and immovable as statue. We might
have believed her dead but for slight
trembling of the lips that betrayed the
life that was not visible It was
fearful sight. l have never seen any
thing like it. Great misfortunes are
like severe wounds; they dry up our
tears as terrible and sudden wounds
arrest the blood in our veins. Com
passionating her distressed situation,
my sister and myself made her come
in and stay in our room through the
night; but we did not deceive our-
selves with the slightest hope that
anything could be done for her rescue,
for we knew too well the characters
of these savages. Nevertheless, we
tried to sustain her with little hope
that something might possibly be done.
Perhaps our father could succeed in
inducing the Indians to let her go.
At last she gradually recovered from
her state of stupor, and told IT'S her
sad, sad story"
81 have lived for some time" said
she, ''near Fort Wayne with my mar
ried sister. One morning, while her
husband was at work in the field, sew
eral Indians suddenly entered our
house. Where is your husband p
they inquired roughly of my sister.
He is at Fort Wayne she replied,
frightened by their sinister aspect;
and they went out again. Full of
anxiety, we followed them with our
ewes for some time. 20 my God sis
ter exclaimed l, trembling, L am SO
frightened, so terrified. Let us fly;
these savages appear to me to be med-
itating some dreadful act. l am con-
vinced that they will return With
out paying any attention to my words,
she continued to watch them as they