Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-05-22
Nora-A Tale of 1915.

Nora-A Tale of 1875.
Heavily chimed the hour, breaking
upon the stiffness of the night like the
voice of an accusing angel. 1t was
midnight. Had the time at length
arrived, and must now, like the spirit
of desolation and evil, steal from the
hospitable roof that had sheltered my
infancy from misery, and my youth
from guilt and all its attendant horrors?
Heaven knows the thought was agony?
Turning, l half retraced my steps when
L thought of Metacom. Disappoint-
ment acting upon the wild fury of a
temper soured by adversely, alas,
perhaps by crime, rushed upon my re-
collection. | loved him almost to mad
ness. Could ought else have prompted
this rash, this treacherous flight? Do
you ask me why | loved him? For his
very savageness to others.
had ever appeared gentle, playful
and timid as a young bird, but the
spirit of my Indian race dwelt deep
within my bosom like an unquenchable
fire, burning forever amid the bowels of
the mighty earth, on whose surface
blooms the fragrant flowers and rich,
wide-spreading verdure. until the voice
of nature, amid the strife and clash of
elements, sends it forth to desolate and
overwhelm the land. Metacom was a
savage. The bright and glowing image
of the Deity was stamped upon his brow.
What to him Were the inventions of
civilized man? Their luxuries but
enervated, and the strong arm of the
law executed the revenge which their
pale and cOwardly souls shrank trem-
blingly from wreaking. Had not the
dominion of our fathers extended from
the green isles of Aquetnet far into the
distant wild, where the foot of man
grew weary with wandering? And now
Metacom was wanderer and fugi-
tive.
Such were the thoughts that agitated
my bosom as | crept with stealthy
steps through the quiet and soundless
streets.
How sOlemnly falls the moonlight
upon the dark foliage of the forest, like
bright shadows of the past, illumining
with a momentary lustre long years of
misery and despair. Nature and man
alike appeared TO repOse. At this hnshed
and holy hour the spirit of solitude,
with her deep mysteries and early
superstitions, roamed unmolested by the
contaminating presence of man. \
strange feeling of awe for the first time
oppressed my spirits. Hark a crashing
of boughs, a light quick step, and Meta
com stood beside me.
NORA" he murmured.
At the sound of that loved voice,
which thrilled through my frame,
raised my eyes to his and met his kind
ling gaze of rapture and of love.
"Speak, my beloved. Nora lives but
in the joy of thy glance.
Slowly and sadly he spoke,---
''The eagle flies to the mountain, and
the panther to his lair, but Metacom
hath no refuge from the storm. When
| cross the silent water or gaze upon
the lightning's flash. in the dark hour
when prowling wolves are heard, by
day, by night, the spirit of my father
shouts, 'Metacom! revenge, revenger
They have passed like snowfiakes upon
the mountain when the hot sun glares
fiercely on its side. | must perish,
Nora; the last chieftain of my race.
Listen: ere morn breaks upon your
smiling village, wrapped in cloud OF
flames, thcu shalt behold it cracking
and blazing, a bright hecatomb to the
names of my slaughtered followers.
Then the remembrance of the past in
juries will cease, and the sweet stream
OF revenge, like the balmy fountains of
the West, will heal my wounded spirit.
All must perish! The home of my child
hood, she who snatched thee from the
burning hut, (when the pale fiends upon
our people burst, nor spared, of all our
great and happy tribe, scarce one to
tell the tale) she who nOurished thee
with all a mothers love, must perish
Remember the WIDE forests that our
fathers swayed, their bones that bleach
upon the scorching plain, a perished
race of warriors, and /, homeless, pro
scribed, price upon my head-shrink
est thou, Have 1 not sworn by the
Great Spirit we worsnIp. by all the
powers of darkness and evil, TO fulfil my
vow?''
"No, Metacom, think not"
''Tis well. The western tribes have
leagued together. Like the roar of the
torrent in its strength we will rush
upon the pale-faced race"
Silently and swiftly the chief depart
ed. | returned to that dwelling which
was soon TO be wrapped i'm desolation
and despair, At the fifth hour had
vowed to fire the roof, whichwas tobe the
signal for the work of murder. Heavily
crept the time. nerved myselffOr the
task. Snatchinga brand from the hearth
l threw it upon the bed, and watched,
with savage satisfaction, the progress