Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-12-10

of the river in level space of some
sixty yards, and then and there 90
through the mysteries off "seven-days
wash" in company, beguiIing the time
and the task with many q song and Jest,
as the maidens of Scotland are accus-
toned to do.
The clean, white clothes were then
hung out to dry in the bright sunshine,
and each household gathered together
its own possessions at any hour thereafter
that they might deem fit.
This custom kept a constant coming
and going, and clear babbleof women's
and children's voices, and laughter and
song around the great washing-place,
near the church-green, Which could be
easily heard by the men at work on the
farm-lands some half mile away.
On the Tuesday, as It happened. all
the men were at the further end of the
farm-lands. For new barn was to he
raised on an outlaying meadow that bore
n crop of hay only fit for the fodder OF
sheep, who might easily be summered
on a neighboring hillside and wintered
on the place itself, and washed and
shcared beside the river, thereby saving
much toll and going to and fro, if only n
barn was built there.
Eric Silver had planned this building
also, which was to stand on Jan Steven
sons land, and gave shelter to his sheep.
So it was only natural that Susie and
Hilda should frequently glance toward
that distant hillside, rs they walked
down, on Tuesday forenoon, toward the
washing-place, where all the matrons of
the settlement were busy, with great
fires close to the river bank, boiling their
years supply of clear soft-soap.
For the first time in her life Susie
Thurle had attempted to make the soap
for their own family. Their Swedish
hOusekeeper was absent on q visit to
friends at another settlement, and old
Nokontis-who might have supplied her
place, in q measure-had been missing
from the burgher's house since the Sat
urday previous.
But the soap must be made at the
usual time, and Susie and Hilda built
their fire nearest the church, and soon
had the breezes loaded with the clean
perfume which soft-soap is sure to give
out when near completion, if it is skill
fully and neatly prepared.
The matrons praised their work when
they all paused to take simple lunch
of brown bread, sausage and coffee upon
the river-bank. And Susie was just
building up her fire for the afternoon,
when she saw old Nokontis spring out
from the edge of the woodland, and look
round through the busy groups in search
of her.
Here am, Nokontis !' sne called out.
Come and see how nice and clear and
golden my soap has turned out. am
very proud of it. And here is some
luncheon for you, and nice bowl of
coffee, quite hot still. You must be both
hungry and tired. Why did you not
come home, Nokontis? l am all alone
there, and you don't know how have
missed yOu.h
The glance of pity, love and horror
that flashed from the dark eyes OF
tie savage checked the words upon
her lips.
"Thc White Fawn would not hear
Nokontis, but Nokontis has fastened to
try and save her" she said, painting with
the speed of her running. "Quick,
quick TO the church! 1t is new and
strong, and the pale-faces may come to
the rescue before the red men can burn
it down"
The red men, gasped Susie turning
deadly pale.
The long-handled dipper with which
she had been stirring her soap fell from
her hand.
ulldG caught IL up.
At that moment distant war-whOol
sounded in the depths of the forest.
Too well those brave settlers wives
and daughters knew the meaningof that
dreadful sound.
! They rushed up to Nokontis, who was
still breathlessly urging Susie to take
/ refuge in the church.
! "And Nokontis will run TO the farm
lands and bring the pale-faces here, " sh,
said, looking anXiously into Susie'E
frightened face.
"To be surem cried Hilda, the prac.
ticaI. THE church-door is strong, anC
has u stout lock, and there are wooder
shutters to the windows msidG--and ;
froplaccw she added, with a joyou:
laugh that made Susie fear that she wa
growing frantic with fright "Oh,
have an idea! Fly, Nokontis, to til,
larm-lands, and warn the men. And dt
you pour water on your fires, or tn,
houses will he in ashes in another hour,
she added, turning to the women, whC
were regaining the courage and presence
of mind that had been, for moment
scared away.
Nokontis "a traitor to her race for tn
love of the fair girl who had been S,
kind to herr, sped for her life t,
the distant farm-ands to summon
help.