Connecticut western news., 1877-11-30

danger made him one of us. Not so with the elegant Silas Wheeler. . ,' T am not going to stay here to be scalped,' said he to Carringsford one day, when the rumors, were more appalling than eyer. If you want to risk your lives with these pumpkins, of course cannot prevent it, but I pro test against endangering Maud's life by such foolhardiness.'
 What would you do?' asked Car ringsford. influenced by Wheeler's words.
 I would marry Maud and take her to place of safety.'
 "John Carringsford did not reply immediately. The fear this child might fall into the hands of the merciless sav- ages had troubled him mora than lit tie, and he had thought of this same plan hundred times. After some re- flection he said:
 " Set the time, MT. Wheeler
 '' Tomorrow evening, replied Silas. q would have liked more pretentious wedding than we shall be able to have on so short notice, but under the cir cumstances, it is useless now to think of it.
 'Charlie Merriman overheard this conversation. He was coming to the house to contradict some false rumors of the morning, but hearing MT. Car ringsford and MT. Wheeler in converse tion, he hesitated about interrupting | them.
 "FSo far along as that! !' he muttered, when he heard the plan; T must see Maud at once.'
 ''He slipped softly away from the door, and went round to the back of the house. He found Maud, and Maud and they talked long and earnestly to- gether. Then Charley hastened away. "Short as the time was, when the hour arrived, everything was in readi- ness for the wedding. In the presence of few invited guests, Silas Wheeler led Maud Carringsford to the altar.
 "Probably not one person in that room thought of Indians at that moment. All eyes were turned toward the bride and bridegroom, and silence reigned there. Just as the pastor opened his lips to commence the ceremony, blood chilling whoop smote the ears of the in- mates of that room and the next in stant hideously painted savage leaped in through the window, screaming and yelling like thousand demons.
 ''The little party were taken so com pletely by surprise, that they fled panic stricken from the house, suppos- ing that they were surrounded.
 "When the men recovered from their momentary fright, they rushed back into the house, but the savage was gone. He had accomplished his object, however; pretty Maud Carringsford was prisoner. So was Silas Wheeler,
 God spare her!' prayed the father. God save them both! .-g...- "After this outburst of prayer, he turned to the men who stood about him, and shouted, 'To the rescue' "At the end of another five minutes, dozen mounted men were galloping away throu gh the darkness, with John Carringsford at their head.
 "They searched all night, but found no trace of the savages, or of the cap tives. About daylight they rode back to John Carringsford's. Charlie Merri- man and Maud stood in the door.
 C T have brought her back to y you, said Charlie
 "Carringsford's joy was too great for utterance, but he wrung Charlie's hand, and then clasped Maud to his breast.
 'sCharlie was overwhelmed with questions, but he quietly answered 5t
 While you were planning I was executing. had good mile the start of you. Poor Wheeler I. fear we shall never see him again? Itried to catch up with him, but it was no use.' e.,..;s.e
 'sWell, we never did see Wheeler again. I don't think Maud cared much for the loss, however, for she soon mar ried-the Indian" j
 "Good heavens l'' I exclaimed |; lis ii possible ?" .t ....
 "'Yes,' replied mine host. ''His name was Charlie Merriman. -- | 1ulS IcFC1dGAOII Cdu1C upOlI lAC oO uLA- expectedly, that at first did not 'Esee the point" It soon crept through my head, however, and I laughed at Char. lies ruse. --
 t'What of Wheeler?' I do not quite I see that yet.'' +...ol .,.-..-
 "He fled from the house the moment the supposed Indian appeared, mount ing his horse dashed away. By some strange oversight he took the wrong di rection, and Charley chased him unti he felt sure he would not venture back have since learned that he reached tht settlement without mishap. l have n, doubt he believes to this day, he wa chased by real savage" -,ltu3 ''And Charley = does he still liy' about here ?' asked. ;st 5ss.,,H
 ''I have been telling you my owl story" replied mine host. "Allow m' to introduce to you Maud Carringsfort Merriman, the heroine of the only rem iniscence of the Minnesota massacr, that ended happily. .'- Cricket on, th Hearth. E-'7 =--= .91s--7 ~ 71-' "a , Giving Advice .7-