Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-06-02

A Trait Of Indian Life.

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A writer tells the following extra
ordinary story of an Indian chiefs
paternal love:
Death had taken the old chiefs son,
and his grave was dug on a small
eminence, some furlongs distant from
the fort. On reaching the spot, we
found an immenseconcourse of natives
assembled, among whom the father
and family of the deceased were con-
spicuous- The former stood on the
brink of the grave in despOnding
mood; and, though he permitted no
outward symptom of grief to appear, 1t
was yet evident to all that mighty and
continued effort alone kept it in re
straint. He appeared to be about fifty
years of age, and his form and features,
though stern and swarthy, offered a
model of manly beauty. The mother
and her daughters were loud in their
expressions of grief; but that of the
father, from Its very calmness, was she
more terrible, and L could not but
sympathize with feelings SO obviously
acute. The weeping and wailing of
the assembled friends were the only
sounds to be heard. and for a long
while the business for which they were
assembled was suspended, as if no one
W
their hearts upon the bereaved parents.
At length the father gave a stern
order that the body should be deposited
i'm the grave; mandate which was
reluctantly obeyed by her who had
equal cause to mourn their great loss
The old man then commanded silence,
and. i'm a resolute tone of voice, began
to address the assembled multitude,
Having called attention to the different
events of his life, as connected with
the rank he occupied. he proceeded to
remind them-always addressing him
self to Mr.. D, of the domestic affiic-
tions he had endured; concluding with
the recent death of his eldest and most
beloved son, whose corpse was now be
fore us.
"Now.r said the old chief. "the string
of nv bow is broken, the last hope of
my declining days has forsaken me.
Seek not to dissuade me from the resO-
luton have adopted, for | have re-
solved upon following HIM, and all YOU
can urge will be in VAN; life has no
longer any charm for me. | was once
a hunter, but am now no longer so.
was once the proud father of two noble
sons. but, alas where are theyf was
a warrior, but am no longer so. Where
fore shall | continue to cumber this
earth with nv useless presence.
The silence that now prevailed was
so deep that not even a breath was audi
BILE. The old man folded his blanket
around him, cast one farewell look on
the fair fields and the broad rolling
river in the vicinity: and then, to the
surprise of all present, descended com
posedly into the pit, and laid himself
upon the corpse of his departed son.
Throw in the earth, fill up the grave,
cover up my last earthly residence" he
exclaimed. Nay, do not hesitate, for
| am resolved TO die
Screams of agony arose from the
afflicted wife and daughters vehement
expostulations We're resorted to by all
around; but the old chief remained
firm. Not the tenderest entreaties of
those who were dearest to HIM among
the living-nOt the eager representa-
tions of his friends, backed by the
usually influential voice of Mr.. d.,
could for an instant shake the resolve
of the self-devoted victim.