Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-10-11

The light wreaths of smoke curled peace
fully to the bright autumual sky from lone
wigwam in the border Of copse which
skirted one Of those miniature lakes that
form one Of the loveliest features in the
lovely sceneryof New England
The light ripping Of the moon-lit waters.
with the plaintive song of the whippoor-will
on the opposite shore, made sweet music in
that lovely spot, but it fell UNDECIDED on the
ear Of the dusky son of the forest, who
dwelt there, secluded and alone.
lie stood at the entrance Of his rude dwell
ing in thoughtful attitude, and, TO a careless
observer, might have seemed contemplating
the beauty OF the evening whose deepening
shadows were mantling his native forests.
yet untouched by the "despoiling hand OF
art, and hourishing in all the luxnriance Of
primeyal beauty and grandeur.
But the restless flashing Of his keen, dark
eye. and the fearful scowl which fitted now
and then across his muscular features, told
that his thoughts were far away from the
peaceful scene before him. A circumstance
had that day occurred, which had rekiudled
in his bosom the smOthesed fire Of a passion
which had slept for years. Many years be
fore when a mere youth, he had quarrelled
with one Of his tribe near his own age, and
had received an insult, for which he had
vowed revenge on his enemy, who imrnedi-
ately sought refuge from his fury with dis
tant tribe
Years passed away, and the remembrance
Of their childish quarrel was nearly etiaced
from the mind of the fugitive, who, with all
the wild recklessness OF the untutored saw
age, still cherished feelings Of strong attach
ment for his native valley.
1t was feelings like these which prompted
the wanderer to return TO his tribe, and meet
with one whose fearful threat he supposed
was long since forgotten; bat in this he wac
mistaken.
His enemy no sooner recognized him, than
he formed the fiendish purpose of assuming
the guise of friendship, and apparent for
getfulness Of the past, that he might find
better opportunity 20 satiate his passion for
revenge. Accordingly, on the day following
the temperance Of the wanderer, his pre-
tended friend proposed that they should
Join in fishing excursion on the lake.
The proposal was accepted and as the
light canoe, like thing OF life" darted
from the shore, the heart of the willy native
bounded for ioy at the thought that his long
sought victim was now fully in his power.
Strange feeling to find home in human
.
of satisfaction which stole over his mind,
when he composed himself to rest that night,
and thought that the storm, which swept
around his dwelling, was lashing into fury
the dark, deep waters of the lake, beneath
which lay the lifeless form of his murdered
victim. Tradition says that the spirit OF
the murdered one still haunts the spot, and
may be seen in the dim twilight lowering
near on airy wing, and mingling its plain
tive song with the night wind.
BE this as it may, when the dark-eyed
daughters Of the tribe padded their light
canoes over the star-lit waters, they instinct
lively avoided the spot aud long years after
when all traces Of their Inflated nation had
vanished at the approach of the white man
and instead of the smoke from the wigwam
| fire, the church spire there rose to heaven
and the delightful sound of the academy
bell had taken the place of the shrill war
whoop, the children of the village would pas
the spot with quickened pace in the twi
| light and once it was affirmed that an airy
form was seen gliding on noiseless wing
above the spot where the waters once parted
to receive the Inflated victim of the Indian
revenge.