The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-07-23
AN OLD TIME STORY.

AN Old TIME STORY.
One Of the first settlers in Western New
York was Judge w., who established
himself ut Whitc.town, about five miles
from Utica. He brought his family with
him, among whom was widowed daugh-
ter with an only child, a fine boy about
foar years old. You will recollect the
country around was all unbroken forest
tribes.
Judge W. saw the necessity of keep
ing Oh good terms with the Indians, for
as he was nearly alone, he was complete
" at their mercy. Accordingly he took
every opportunity to assure them Of his
kindly feelings. and to secure their good
will in return. Several Of the chiefs came
to sec him, and all appeared pacific. But
there was one thing that troubled him
al aged chief Of the Oneida tribe, and one
Of great influence, who resided at a dis
lance Of dozen miles, had not yet been
to sec him, nor could he ascertain the
views and feelings OF the Sachcm in respect
to his settlement in that region. At last
he sent him message, and the answer
was that the chief would visit him on the
morrow.
True to his appointment, the Sachem
came; Judge W received him with
marks of respect, and introduced his wife,
his daughter, and little boy. The inter-
view that followed was interesting. Up
on its result, the Judge was convinced,
his security might depend, and he was
therefore exceedingly anxious to make a
favorable impression upon the distinguish
ed chief: lie expressed his desire to set
tie in the country, to live on terms of am
ity and good fellowship with the Indians
and to be useful to them by introducing
among them all the arts Of civilization.
The chief heard him out, and then said:
''Brother, you ask much, and you prom
Use much: What pledge can you give of
your faith? The white mans word may
be good to the white man, yet it is wind
when it is spoken to the Indian
II have put my life into your hands,"
said the Judge, land is not that an evi.
dencc Of my good intention? [ have
placed confidence in the Indian and will
not believe that he will abuse or bctray
the trust that is thus reposed."
$50 much is WE'LL" replied the chief.
"The Indian will repay confidence with
confidence, if you will trust him, he will
trust you.
"Lct this boy go with me to my wig
wam-I will bring him back in three
days with my answer"
If an arrow had pierced the heart of
the mother she could not have felt a cp-
or pang than went to her heart as the In
dian made this proposal. She sprang for
ward. and running to the boy who stood
at the side OF the Sachem, looking into
his face with pleased wonder and ADM.
ration, she encirclcd him in her arms,
and pressing him to her bosom was about
to fly from the room. A gloomy and omi-
nous frown gathered on the Sachen s
brow, but he did not speak.
But not so with Judge W.. He
knew that the success of their enterprise,
the lives Of his family, depended on a dc.
''Stay, stay, my daughter" he said,
Bring back the boy, I besecch you. He
is not more to you than to me. 1 would
he must go with the Chief. God will
watch over him, He will be as safe in
the Sachem's wigwam as beneath our
own roof"
The agonizcd mother hcsitatcd for =
moment s.; she then slowly returned, pla-
cling the boy on the knee of the chief, and
knceling at his feet burst into tears.
The gloom passed from the Sachem's
brow, but he said not word. lie arose
ann departed.
At last, as the rays Of the setting sun
were thrown upon the tops of the trees
around, the eagle feathers of the chief
were seen dancing above the bushes in
the distance. lie advanced rapidly--and
the little boy was by his side. He was
gaily attircd as young chief--.his feet
being dressed in moccasins, fine beaver
skin was on his head, while gay fcath.
crs were stuck in his hair. He was in
excellent spirits, and SO proud was he of
his honors that he seemed two inches
taller than he was before. He was soon
in his mothers arms, and in that brief
minute she seemed to pass from death to
life. It was a happy mceting--.too hap
py for me to describe. ''Thc white man
has conquered said the Sachem; "here-
after let us be friends. You have trust
ed an Indian, he will repay you with con.
fidcnce and friendship He was as good
as his word and Judge W lived for
many years in peace with the Indian
tribes, and succeeded in laying the foun.
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