The Virginia star., 1880-03-27
An Indian Romance.

In the old times wheA Cleveland was
very young, the settlers along the lake
shore had much more communication with
the aborigines than whites. Long rows OF
canoes. instead of steamers were wont to
lie along the shore where the Union Depot
now stands and the railroad runs, and the
traffic was in blankets, beads, venison and
furs, instead of wheat, iron, coal and pc
troleum. There were winding paths IN
stead of streets, and wigwams and log
cabins were the business blocks and dwell
ings. Natural forests were the parks, and
while there was no grand water works, the
Cuyahoga was uncontaminated by vile
sewage.
One bright afternoon in the autumn of
A. ID. 49,, there came into the village
neat-appearlng squaw, apparently 25 years
of age, with 1.-the, half-breed boy OF III,
who either walked beside her or capered on
before. The little settlement was unusu-H
alIy active upon that day, and the October
sunlight resled upon scene OF SURPRISING
beauty. The lake and the landscape were
silver and gold, and the skies were blue and
amber, and the Indians were gay In their
holiday attire of feathers and bright
blankets.
The face of the young Indian woman
bore an expression of sad anxiety, that was
quite in contrast with the brightness around
her. She did not mingle with the crowds
of Indians, but sat down near the entrance
to the principal trading house, and while
surveying the motley scene, talked kindly
and soberly with Il o who spoke to her.
There was something in the appearance
and demeanor of the Indians which showed
that they regarded this as an important day.
Their CAV attire, the almost complete ab-
sence of weapons among them, their COM
parative silence toward the whites, their
freedom and sportiveness among them
selves. all went to teach the experienced
observer of Indian character that they
were moved by some uncommon though
undisclosed purpose.
After her arrival had ceased to attract
attention the young squaw passed quietly
into the store, the boy remaining outside
playing with his red companions. AS soon
as she could do so unobserved, sine strolled
as if inadvertently, to the rear of the store,
where, in partial concealment she caught
the traders eve. He knew from her glance
that her signal must be needed. AS he
| contriyed to come close to her she commu-
nicated to him the plot of the Indians.
They will all pretend to go home to-
night; but they will not go home. They
will come back in the night. They want
your goods. If you will give them up,
they will not kill you, if you fight they
will kill you. shall be with you"
Having said this, she sauntered slowly
out. with face sadder than before, and
resumed her former seat. Soon the boy
| came near her, and she whispered to him
secretly. He went into the store, where a
number of squaws were pretending to
| trade. and stood, as if by mere chance,
where she who sent him stood. The
trader, still busy, came close to him and
whispered the names of certain white men
of the village The boy soon strolled out
to his play again. but somehow sport
seemed to take him near and into the shops
of the men whom the trader had men
toned. He would give the chief traders
name secretly, with an intimationo OF danger
and then go wandering on with his play
ing. His momentous little task was soor
accomplished, and the shouts OF himself
and his fellows were soon echoing again II
front of the store of the chief trader.
The sunbeams were nearly as level al
the lake, when the Indian woman, beck
oning to her happy protege, began to loitel
toward the trail by which she came; on
heart how light, and the other oh hov
heavyl They kept the way until well on
Of sight, then lfet it and took circuitou
course, stopping finally at wigwam upor
the shore about one mile eastward from
the village.
John Morton was the foremost trader u
the village, intelligent, trustworthy, and
leader among his fellow settlers; so tina
when warning of danger with the sane
ton of his name went round to certain
trustS few, there was certainty OF promp
and dFectual response.
al sundown the Indians began to de
part and by dusk not one remained In tn