Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1874-04-29
"Welcome, w ally 70

A vigorous shaking of hands en-
sued, and grunts of satisfaction
were heard on every side.
Walter, or "Wally," as he was
known by the Indians, was inform.
ed of the subject under discussion
and he was taken to the couch Of
bear skins on which the sufferer
lay. His heart felt pity his deep
est sympathies were instantly
aroused. He had never before seen
the face of an Indian female that
interested him so much.
"Night has overtaken me in the
chase, ten miles from home," said
Walter; "I will tarry with you till
early morn, when Fawn shall be
taken to my mother, who will care
for her as for her own child; and
the white medicine man shall kill
her disease. A few of your number
may remain with her until she is
able to resume her march"
The council was at end. Grunts
of approval was the reply to Wal
ter's proposition and renewed
shaking of hands followed. A
bountiful supper of roast venison
and cakes of pounded corn baked
in ashes was prepared, of which all
save the invalid ate heartily; and
after heightened smoking Of pipes
the party wrapped in Indian blank
cts, sought their nights repose.
Walter Wallace was of good
parentage, and educated. He was
left fatherless at an early age DR..
Arnold, his steprather, though a
man of good abilities, had but a
small practice. He was not gene
rally liked. His increasing
wealth, therefore, was q matter of
surprise to all, and suspicion to
many of his neighbors. The
matter was once boyishly referred
20 by Walter, in conversation with
his father, who answered only by a
scrowl of resentment. Walter at
once comprehended that he was
treading on forbidden ground.
At length the overbearing dispo-
sition and imperious will Of DR..
Arnold became insupportable to
Walter, and at the age of nineteen
he Indignantly abandoned the par
entail roof. The sting of regret
which troubled him was the part
ing from a dearly loved mother
and though this was proposed
against her remonstrance, yet he
was conscious of her secret sympa-
thies. Placing purse of five
hundred dollars in his hand, she
kissed her manly hearted and darl-
ing boy for the last time.
To strengthen his health--to
cultivate and develop his physical
system, Walter determined to de-
vote two years to adventure and
wild sports of the West. With
this object in view, and with good
supply of arms, ammunition, and
hunting attire, he found himself in
due time in the Genesse Valley, at
that time abounding in bear, Amer
lean panther, the wild cat, deer,
and lesser game. He took up his
abode in the house of q settler on
the banks of the Genesse. He
wrote to his mother by every possi-
bic conveyance; but at the end of
a year, learning of her death, he
felt as if the great tie of civiliza-
tion had been sundered and for
ever afterwards he acknowledged !
the kind wife Of the settler as his
adopted mother At the time of
his meeting with the Indian en-
campment, he had resided in the
country two years, and during the
time had secured the country
around as far as the shores of Erie |
and Ontario. He had become ac-
quainted with the Indians, their
customs and manners ; and was
favorite and privileged person
them.
Under the influence of good
treatment, the health and strength
Of Fawn was restored. Walter
was strangely facinated with her
beauty, and surprised at her inteli-
gence. She spoke the English and
Indian languages nuently, and had
frequently acted as interpreter be-
tween parties of the two races.
Walter could not believe that she
was of Indian blood; yet she de-
clared that she had not reason to
think otherwise, save that of q
lin, unrefined dream of an early |
life within civilization.
Her iet hair. her black ewes,