Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-10-05

RNNIAS ~ Nnal SNNliOH dS duNtelOiN WI
many families yet living. who have mul-
tiplied greatly in numbers and represent
the sturdy yeomanry OF Androscoggiu
courty III the present day. 1t may recall
to some OF their minds a tale told by some
Srandsir7 in the evening twilight of one
among The many striking incidents in
which his immediate predecessors par.
tic.pated in their youthful days.
The hrs; year of the settlement was
son- remembered by the little colony, as
a prosperous aud peaceful one. The
warm spring was succeeded BY fruitful
summer and bounleouS harvest. Indian
neighbors had manifested no signs of i'll
will, but on the contrary, had cultivated
the friendship OF the whites, and aided
rather than discouraged their improve.
mentS. Sabousit, the sycamore of the
village at the junction OF the Kennebec,
was wise and efficient ruler OF his little
band of braves, i faithful friend and hon.
orable ally OF the whites. From the first
he had smoked the pipe of peace with
them, and never inlringed their trust or
perverted their confidence He was get.
ting 10 be an old man at the date of the
settlement. otherwise the intimacy which
he cherished and forwarded might have
continued indefinitely.
1t was on a bright September morning
that Egbert Francis, boy yet in his
teens, sailed forth from his fathers rude
cabin, ,musket 10 hand, and struck out into
the broad forest to the east of the river in
search OF game, which was most plenti-
/ ful in that region at that season of the
year. The sport was in measure new
TO him, rs his father had but recently
chosen this new home in the Maine will
dernesS, and he entered into it with all
the zeSt which the buoyancy of youthful
/ spirits gives. Pausing for moment on
the brow of the hill which marked the
confines OF the clearing, he drank in the
Spendor olthe scene below in its entirety.
On either bank OF the river ior q short
distance the sere leaves OF patches OF
iallen timber indicated the commence
ment OF clearing" by some new conner
10 the noighborhood. WI bile here and there
line of blue smoke, sharply outlined
against the SKY, as it curled azilY upward
10 the cool, still morliug air, marked the
/ log cabin OF settler who had come TO
try his fortunes in a new cJu0,ry. North
wand, hidden by masses OF Leav} timber.
= cloud of mist "a, sentinel over the fall
whose thunderou, pi'ch, soi.eaed by dis.
tance 20 a tIemuous mlrmar, reached his
ears with musical cadence. Below,
toNsrd- the south, and westward, The
same unbrokeu yet TO. m9uo.0louS con-
unu.ty OF torres. and glade. 70 the eje
OF the Imaginative boy. under .ae .aAl
cucs Oh. Le4.hlu pulse, aut ,Le mild
sua>l.-e &, seemed . land %. ptJmss.
l1R.u- with mi K a-i l1ucy,prophcsy Iug
future %, happiness, as the reward OF
energetic effort.
Wuh unwilling and tardy steps he
TUNED from his contemplation OF the
valley, anl arlod in quest OF that which
had called him into the forest. carefully
scanning every object Is he went onward.
The birds sang cheerily above his head.
the squirrel whisked from lin to limb,
disturbed in his morning repast by the
advent OF the stranger, and coVeys OF
par,ridges whistled to their halt-grown
broods of sober. brown chicks and
drummedaway with pulsing whirr at
the sound OF his footsteps cracking the
fallen twigS. But the young huntsman
gave them no heed, seeking rather the
red deer as appropriate venison for re.
plenishing the family larder.
Towards noon, when the SUI shone
down through the fores; leaves, warming
the moist earth, he came to rapid stream
with precipilous dr.lined banks. and ind
ing Il pleasant opening near which fallen
tree had afforded natural bridge, lay
aside his musket, and prepared for n
luncheon before proceeding farther. lie
had nearly completed his simple meal,
when cracking step on the opposite
bank heralded the approach OF some per-
son or animal. Ii ceased then began
again, and was evidently approaching
the log in front OF his retreat 81, pru
DENLY Withdrawing into the thick under
brush. he awaited the result. 4 moment
later, an Indian woman, leading child
ctapparently eight years, put aside the fir
branches. aud stepped cautiously upon the
loe. JUS. at that moment fallow deer
Appeared in the glade below, aud gave
low snort upon recognizing the intruders.
lie was within easy range from where
E ebert Law concealed, and as il was the
tirs, glimpse he had had of the object OF
hi, mornings quest. it was with difficulty
that he could restrain himself from ven
turiag the shot. Fearing, however, that
the Indian woman. VINO stood hosilali0y
on the opposite end of The ios might be
frightened by the report be lowered Ms
gup, rather unwiiliugly, aud liked mis-
-szs once more upon lho squaw.
81, .ysva u,il1l. .0ed woman app4r