Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-11-07
Stltttta Storp.
SURROUNDED BY INDIANS.
The Story Of q Brdre W0mGa'S
ITidf.

a bright, warm, Spring day Tue sun
light streaming through the leafless
branches Of the huge trees; the bi.ds
taking advantage OF tho glorious weath
er to sing their loudest, sweetest songs
and al, nature rejoicing in the breakin g
up OF the long Winters sleep and the
adven, OF Spring.
Ia ,he foreground OF the scene stands
the humble house OF frontier sman. q
rough structure Oi logs aud 0arl IN front
Of the door the gIjEdsione on which the
sturdy settler whets the axe that has
already laid low 50 many monarchs OF
the forest; against the rough. uuboarded
wall hang the skies Of animals that the
skill oi The huGIer mas captured.
At;he front Of tree Immediately in
front OF the door two children are at
play-,i,Ile tots. the pride OF the settlers
hear;-a BOY OF SIX years. and girl a
year ortwo younger.
Such was the scene presented aL the
home o. e Gab, el Lttour, on the Pawnoe
river. in Western Kansas. in the Spring
OF ls63
La,our had followed the adventurous
life OF trsrper aud hunter. for many
years. uu;i. huslly. tired OF roaming
wi,hou, any settled home, he married
the daughter OF Missourian settler,
''took up" qlArter section OF land and
went 10 farming.
His wife, born and ,sised on the front
ier. was 4 Il; helpnate for man whose
life must necessarily be cIe OF hardship
and priyalions. Marion Lltour Was one
who could handle rifle or pistol as well
as the implements OF her household indus
try. and 10 her skill in the use OF those
weapons is her success in the following
seige attributed.
As The sun began 10 creep slowly down
the west aud the shadows were length
ening. Mrs. Latour came 10 the door 10
call the children to their evening mea!.
Her husband had started that morning
for the settlements on the Saline rivel
and be was not expected back till the
next day.
Come children" she called, "it'sIim'
you were both inside. Come Emma
and then the words died on her lips anC
the blood ran cold to her heart as heT
eyes tell on a little clump OF bushes
about 4 DEAN yards TO the resr OF the tree
where the children were sitting.
Did her eyes deceive her? Was tha
browuish red thing she saw but heaE
OF last autumn's leaves ? No. Too vel
she knew what il was-ihe hideously
painted face OF an Iudiar.
Then the natural cool courage oil lh'
woman showed itself. 1t she betrayed
her knowledge of the presence OF her
savage foe. it wo1ld bat pTecipitate The
attack. which was now imminent.
Ike a fash she formed her plan o
action. and then stepping out from lh'
door she went around doing some worA
outside, Jus. as cody as if there WASH
an Indian within 5 thousand miles. bu
with every nerve strained to its utmos
tension. and every sense on The Alert iol
-, - .ss,,, Of attack
Come, come children" she cailet
.f,er a few moments. 1.-THE evening
meal is getting cool"
The little ones ceased their play anc
came running toward her and they al
walked into the house.
To close and lock the heavy door. ans
,oswiog to aud bar the strong shutters
oftbe window was bat the work ol a
moment.
Not an instant too soon was the wor'
accomplished, as the Indians atonce sa"
that they lad been discovered and s
shower Of bullets aud arrows were
hurled agaias: the house.
Hastily placing the children ID pace
OF safety, the brave woman ran u 'u'
r,ok wbere the arms, always loaded
were kept.