River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-03-14
THE COMANCHE BRIDE.
A Tragedy of the Rocky Mountains.

one of the most lofty OF the Rocky Noun
tain peaks, sat white mae, although h,
was dressed in the grab of Indian. I'll,
appeared to be entirely alone. And We
not far below him arose the smock of ;
hundred dodgers, and the quarters of ;
body of Comanche Indians were visible
The young man glanced at them, and ther
he gazed away dewn the valley of thu
Sweetwater as far as the eve could reach
But only mountains piled up beyond
mountains, until they became blended
with the gray clouds, met his gaze, save
here and there lovely valley or spark
ling stream. Long did the young man
gaze in silence; and then speaking, he APP
peared to be uttering the thoughtst rath.
er than addressing his words to any per-
son, although an Indian girl had APP
pronched unseen, and was now standing
near him. He said:
"Oh, what would not give to see the
gay world again But, no! here must /
remain and burrow like wolf, every
thing around is hateful! / can not en-
dure it will not be kept prisoner
herei"
He ceased speaking, tor the young girl
had advanced and thrown herself uL ION
the ground before hin. She had clasp
ed his knees and looked up into his eyes,
while her own had filled up with tears
She did not utter sound but there was
a thousand questions in the expressie
of her face. The young man observed
this, and at first he appeared little con-
| fused.
Then he recovered his self possession,
and asked:
"Nemonie, did you hear my words?"
Eyes, Albert she replied. And tears
which had gathered in her eyes began
to roll down her cheeks.
The feelings Of the young man appears
cd to be touched by this exhibition, and,
pointing to the rising sun, he said:
"Nemonie, you can not wonder that |
am sad. Away off yonder where the sun
rises, was my home. Father, mother,
brothers and sisters are there, and fer
four years l have not seen them. For
for years I have been here prisoner,
shut out from the great world; and but
| for your smiles believe / should have
died before this, for OILY when with you
can | for moment content myself"
"Then you do love me, dear Albert|
whispered the young cearture, as she
nestled closer to the side of the man she
worshiped.
ayes, Mennonite; and if I cou d only
forget the past-if memory could become
blankI might be happy here. But l
can not forget. cannot cease to con-
template the fact that am prisoner"
mo, dear Albert, you are not restrain
ed in your liberty. / am sure that my
father, the old Chief, has been very kind
to you. Has not your lodge been of the
very best, and your bed of soft furs? Has
he not given you his only daughter,
Mennonite, for wife! Has he not made
you one of his braves, and promised to
confer still further honors upon you"
II grant all this. But let me attempt
to escape from the tribe, and what would
be the RESULT Why, my scalp would
grace the belt of the first warrior who
so l can not help feeling that am still a
prisoner"
And would you leave us if you
could2'
g Yes, for L"
The young man paused, for he had
caught the expression OF agony which
passed over the face of his wife. He
drew her to his bosom, and then con-
tinued:
81 would go, Nemsnle but not without
you. If you were absent from my side.
l should rever be happy, for should
miss your sweet, innocent face, your kind
words, and your caresses. No other could
ever fill your place, so here / must live
and here die.o
At that moment party of some dozen
Indians came up. They were headed by
the Chief, Wontum, the father of Mennonite.
lie seated himself upon the ground, but
the others remained standing. That he
had something important to say, Albert
well knew by his manner, although he re-
NAMED silent several minutes while re
pulled away at his pipe.
At length he exclaimed:
$50 our son is resolved to remain con-
tent among u.s."
eyes," returned Albert, glancing at his
wife.
"Good! Our cause shall be his cause?"
eyes"
"Goodl And our son would not re-
main inactive when there is lighting to
be done2"
"No," replied the young man with en-
| thusiasm. NGive me something to set
the blood coursing through my veins.
1t is becoming sluggish, stagnant. Lead
me into battle-I will follow, even into
the thickest of the fight Place me front
Ito front with the accursed Sioux, and L
will show them what Comanche pale
| face can do"
but you are not to be led-you are to
leadl From this moment you become my
first Chief, and feel that you will make
yourself worthy of such trustl"
az will will oh, now, indeed, you
give me new life, since you give me
something worth living for When do
we set out to meet our foes!'
"At once. But you are somewhat IN
error. 1t is not the Sioux we fight"
"No! Whom, then!'
"The accursed pale faces. II
"What my own countrymen. And
you would have RE fght my own racer
"Why not2 Are you not one OF us
now?"
| The Young man remained silent for a
short time. That there was terrible
inward struggle going on was plainly to
be seen, aid the chief watched him mar
rowlv until he spoke. He said:
Chief, you have deceived me. For
long time have seen that you are pre-
pairing for war; but you have led me to
believe it was against the Sioux you were
TO fight. Had such been the case, |
should have willingly joined you. But l
will not fight agains. my own brothers
my own race
The chief leaped to his feet and his
eyes flashed fire as he spoke. He said
IF they are your brothers, then you are
our enemy, and should die upon the spot.
| ssThen kill me.r was the firm answer.
II will not fight against my raeef
.Listen young man. continued Won