River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-03-14

face dogs-your race came among us.
lhey robbed rs of our lands, they desc
Grated the graves of our sires, they
poisoned our warriors with fire-water, and
then they drove us from our homes at the
point OF the bayonet With saddened
hearts we came hither.
Bnt Manitou smiled upon us once more.
to hit our heads in our original pride and
MANHOOD. We asked the Great Spirit to
give US these lands, and he replied that
they already belonged to his red chill
dren. We became happy for our exchange
was good one. But the pale-faces learn
ed OF our prosperity, and they envied us.
Then they followed US with their pois-
ons and their lying tongues. They pro-
fess friendship, but we know them. They
shall come no further. IT they are not
driven back they will force us again to
leave our homes, and we have nowhere
to go but unto the great waters. They
shall not come! No, not so long as there
beats an Indian heart or there is an arm
to oppose themi Join us, fight with us,
and you are one of us Refuse. and you
become eqally our foe with them, and
you shall never live to gaze upon the set
ting Of that sum-
"You have spoken. Now, listen to me-
replied the young man, his eyes flashing
and his lips curling with scorn.
Speak but remember that your words
will decide your fate"
!" You complain that the white man has
driven you from your homes. True; but
why did they do so2 They came among
you to seek for homes which only by
hard toll they could secure. The lands
belonged to my Government, and they
had as much right to live upon them as
you. Had you not molested them, they
would have not disturbed you. But you
lighted the midnight torch, and burned
their houses to the ground. You butch
cred in cold blood their helpless women
and innocent children. The mountains
and the valleys echoed with their dying
shrieks, and the rivers were crimsoned
with their blood Is it a wonder thai
strong men should have risen in their
might and driven you back? No! And
so long as you continue such merciless
acts you will still be driven back"
Beware how you speak,"
You asked me to join you. In reply,
tell you there is no drop of traitors
blood in my veins. Not to save ten
lives would I become an apos-
state!'
s'You have decided"
~ have: and nothing can change my
decision"
The Chief whispered few words to the
savages around him. They appeared de
lighted, and began their yelling, which
soon brought the entire band to the spot |
These, learning, what was going on, join
ed in the dreadful chorus, until the noun
tains echoed and re-echoed with the
sounds.
Albert was seized and instantly bound
to tree. Then quantity of light brush
wood was piled around him. His wife
had been eagerly watching the proceed
ngs, and approaching her husband, she
asked:
"Dear Albert, will we know each other
when we meet in the spirit-land?"
Yes, think so - was the reply.
"And can you talk to me there, and
fold me to your heart and tell me that
you love me ever as you have done hcre?"
~ am sure that I can. But why do
you ask"
Because your spirit will scarcely
have left the earth ere mine will follow |
it. Perhaps we shall meet on the way
and enter that bright land together"
No futher words were permitted, for |
Mennonite was dragged away and the
pyrc was lighted. The red flame darted
upward, enclrcling the form of the young
man. But not groan or a murmur es
capped him, and at length his head drop
ped upon his bosom, showing that life |
was extinct or nearly so.
Mennonite had stood watching the /
dreadful scene. She appeared unusually |
calm, although she was very pale. Once
she had glanced behind her. Within on
Iy few feet from the spot where she was
standing there was cliff of rocks, and |
below terrible gulf hundreds OF feet |
deep. AS soon as the wife saw the head I
drop, and knew that life was extinct, she
said
"Albert, husband now l come to join
you!"
She dartcd for the precipice. Her IA
Their and others sprang toward TO prevent |
her determined action; but they were too |
ate. Over the cliff she sprang, and down |
that giddy height she whirled. Striking |
upon the ragged rocks below, there re-
NAMED only the mangled flesh Of what a |
few moments before had been the beau |
tiful Conanche bride.