The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-09-20
BH INDIANS.
The Story Of & Brave Womuns Trial.

The Story Of & Brave Womun's Trial.
\ bright, warm, Spring d,y: the
sunlight streaming through the leaf
less branches Of the huge trees the
birds taking advantage OF the glorious
weather to sing their loUdest, sweetest
songs, and all nature rejoicing in the
breaking up of the long Winter $
sleep and the advent Of Spring.
In the foreground OF the scene
stands the humble house Of II from
tiersmen, rough structure Of logs
and bark in front Of the door the
grindstone on which the sturdy settler
whets the axe that has already laid
low SO many monarchs OF the forest:
against the rough, unboarded walls
| hang the skins Of animals that the
skill Of the hunter has captured.
at the front of a tree Immediately
in front Of the door two children are
at play-little tots, the pride Of the
settlers heart-a boy of six years,
and girl q year OF two younger.
Such was the scene presented fat
the home of Gabriel Latour, on the
Pawnee river, in Western Kansas, in
the Spring of 1860.
Latour had followed the adven-
| turous life of q trapper and hunter for
many years: until finally, tired of
roaming without any settled home, he
married the daughter Of q Missourian
settler, took up aGuarter section OF
land and went to farming.
His wife, born and raised on the
frontier, was fit helpmeet for u man
| FL 1x-1 81
hardship and privation. Marion La
tour WAS enc who could handle a rifle
or pistol as we'll as the implements Of
her household industry, and to her
skill in the use Of those weapons is
her success in the following seiSe
attributed.
AS the sun began to creep slowly
down the west and the shadows were
Ilengthening. Mrs. Latour came to the
door to call the children 10 their even.
ing meal.
Her husband had started that NOM
ing for the settlements Oh the Saline
river and he was not expected back till
the next day.
"Conle children she called, lit 5
time you were both inside. Come
Emma-'' and then the words died On
her lips and the blood ran cold to her
heart as her eyes fell on little clun,
Of bushes about a dozen yards to the
rear OF the tree where the children
were sitting.
Did her eyes deceive her Was
that brownish red thing she saw but
a heap of the last autumn leaves
No. Too We'll she knew What it Was
the hiGeCusly- painted face OF III H.
dian.
Then the natural cool courage OF
the woman showed itself. II she be-
trayed her knowledge of the presence
CT her savage foe, it would but precip-
itate the attack, which was now i'm
minent.
Like tightening flash she formed
her plan OF action, and then stepping
out from the door she went around do
ing some work outside, Just as coolly
as if there wasn't an Indian within I,
thousand miles. but with every nerve
strained to it's utmost tension, and ev-
cry sense on the alert for the least sign
of attack.
"Come. come children.'' she called,
after few moments, ssthe evening
meal is getting cold.''
The little ones ceased their play and
came running toward her, and they all
walked into the house.
TO close and lock the heavy door,
and to swing to and bar the strong
shutters of the window was but the
work of a moment.
Not an instant too soon was the work
accomplished, as the Indians at once