The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-08-29

Mr.. Randolph, upon whose mind came the
memory of one he loved who had passed
away from earth, aud left him lonely man.
'We must not anticipate" he continued
Tomorrow may bring the parents of this
poor child to light"
When daylight came Mr.. Randolph
found that he had wandered a good way
off the road and the sun was well up ere
he gained the cabin at the edge of the
forest. 1t was inhabited by an old hunter
by the name of Stubbs. He gave Mr..
Randolph hearty welcome, and was not
long in preparing hot breakfast.
''Well, I never heard Of such a thing
before" said Stubbs, looking at the child
with curiosity. "There's no one living
within twenty miles of this place, and
can't imagine how she came to be in the
wood. Old Bill Smootss cabin is good
twenty miles from here, and Dan Neal is
ten miles from him, and that's all the peo-
pie there are this side the State line.
Neither Bill nor Dan are married, and its
passing strange where that young one came
from"
81 wish you would take ride through
the forest" said Mr.. Randolph to Stubbs.
''Iake the whole day to search for some
person claiming this child. l will remain
here until your return" and he placed
piece of gold in the hunters palm
The SUMS rays were slanting low among
the trees in the west when Bill Stubhs re-
turned to his, cabin.
"lm afraid you'll have to father that
young one," he exclaimed, addressing Mr..
Randolph. GIVE ridden nearly forty
miles to-day, and can hear nothing of any.
body who has lost a child. Perhaps she
has been lost purposly." ....
Mr.. Randolph looked serious. Such an
idea had not before occurred to him, but
from the moment he heard the words of
the old hunter he mentally vowed that he
would adopt the child if her parents were
not discovered
Seventeen years later, and Madge Ran
dolph, as the founding was denominated,
had become the reigning belle of the town
of L..
Mr.. Randolph had occasion to make a
trip to the State of Durango in Mrxico,
and for that purpose joined party of
traders who were starting from Independ-
ence. All the men were well armed, and
had much experience in Indian fighting;
so they felt pretty much at ease on that
score.
After two weeks travel beyond Smoky
Hill Fork, they came upon camp of
Sioux Indians who had white woman in
bondage. Several of the traders offered to
purchase her freedom, but she was the wife
of chief who refused to any propositions
involving her leaving him. The poor
creature seemed particularly desirous Of
entering into conversation with her coun-
trymen, but the Indians rudely thrust her
back when she implored to be taken back
to civilized life.
That afternoon the Indians broke up
their camp and went westward. The
traders had doubled their offers to the
Indians, but they would not release their
captive. The same night when the traders
we're in camp, they were suddenly aroused
by the sound of approaching horse hoofs
coming at rapid gallop. few moments
later and the woman whose freedom they
had been trying to obtain, sprang from a
pony, exclaiming:-
''Fot Heavens sake, my countrymen,
do not give me up. have escaped but
they will soon be after me-"
The traders instantly held council.
The savages outnumbered them twenty to
one; there was no hope of making a suc-
cessful resistance.
"Some one must fly with the woman
back to Independs there's not an
instant to be lost" cried several voices.
"Who'll do it ?" inquired the leader.
No one spoke; the men all had goods
upon the train and could not desert
them.
81 have no property at risk, " said Mr.
Randolph, after a few momentt retiec.
ton; "my business is urgent, tits true,
but I'll take her back or perish in the at
tempt"
A few minutes later, and Randolph and
the woman were flying as fast as horses
could carry them back to Missouri.
Just before the break of day the Indians
appeared at the traders camp and de
mRnded the woman. They wereassured tina
she was not present, neither did the,
know where she was. It was not until the
savages made strict search of the wagon
that they were convinced they were on th'
wrong trail; but their disappointment wa
SO great that they made an attack upoi
the traders. A smart fight revealed tt
them that they would have to obtain rein