Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-06-09
his hand and heart. Rising In my seat,

said:
"Mark Ruthson, no words can express
the disgust | feel for you, and If you insult
me again will cowhide you, sir !"
1t would be impossible to depict the
expression OF rage which swept over his
face.
'Jane Mannering, mark my woads,
will be revenged."
Casting upon HIM a look of unHtterable
contempt, | whipped my horse and soon
lost sight of him.
The next day Mark Ruthson left the vii
lage and went no one knew where A year
from that Harry CleYerly and were mar
ried, and with the blessing of my mother,
and the best wishes of my friends, we
started for the Western wilderness.
l will pass over a period of ten years,
during which a substantial log cabin had
been built; rude though it was, love made
1t little palace. Our hearts were also
gladdened by our little Eddie, the image OF
his father, and noble little fellow.
About this time we heard of the depre-
dations that the Indians were committing,
by some passing stragglers, which filed us
with a temporary alarm. But our fears
soon passed away, and we regarded the
report as greatly exaggerated, cr totally
untrue.
One evening Eddie returned from his
rambles, bringing with him a moccasin,
which he said he found in the woods. THIS
filed me with alarm and uneasiness | felt
presentiment Of coming danger.
Next morning mentioned my fears 10
Harry. But he only laughed at my terror,
and playfully handing me little revolver,
bade me defend myself like a man, and
went 10 the woods TO his daily work. |
slipped the revolver into my pocket play
fully, but could not entirely divest myself
of my fears.
For an hour / sat on my low rocking
chair, counting the moments as they flew,
when my attention was attracted by noise
on the opposite side of the room. Looking
quickly around, TO my dismay, / saw a
dozen Indians, evidently lust from war,
each bearing his bloody scalp. The fore
most advanced, and appeared to be the
chief of the party. He approached and
would have laid rough hands on me, when
my darling boy raised himself to his full
height, his blue eyes flashing, and demand
ed what they meant by their intrusion,
and how they dared lay hands on his
mother.
The chiet paid no attention to HIM, but
bade his warriors bind us, which was
quickly done, and after a few moments
the chiefs retired for consultations; when,
seizing an opportunity, / scratched on the
wall:
"Harry, we are in the hands of the In
dians."
The chiefs returned, and we were soon
borne with rapid, but noiseless steps, into
depths of the wilderness. The chief who
had bound us attracted my attention.
was sure had seen him before, but where
| could not say.
Three days and three nights without
stopping, we were borne awav from our
home, and the fourth we stopped in a small
hollow, which l found strewed with bones
and skulls. While contemplating this
scene with horrOr, looked up, and the In
dian chief stood before me. With a sneer
over his dark features, he said, In good
English:
Though you have forgotten me, Jane
Mannering, for so | will call you have by
no means forgotten you"
"Who are your" sald |.
81 am Mark Ruthson," the chief replied,
and in those painted features, remem-
bered the hypocrtical face of the consum-
mate villain.
There was no pity In his revengeful
heart, and | read our doom in those hard
features
''Do you see yonder tree ?" said he, in
quick, sharp tone. "Before the night
your boy will be bound to that tree, and
his young scalp will be clipped from his
head by MY savage friends; and you will
remain and in the morning share the same
fate |"
Oh! how quickly the day few, and the
night approached; and just as twilight was
setting In, ruthless savage seized my boy
roughly by the arms, and bound him to a
tree First he waved tomahawk over his
head to frIghten him; but the boys blue
eyes looked steadily at the savage in scorn,
and his cheek never blanched. Enraged
at his scorn, the Indian raised his toma-
hawk for the last time. Instinctively my
hand rested on my revolver felt sure Of
my aim. raised it slowly, and pointed it
at the heart of the savage and fired. With
a friehtful yell, he sprang into the air, and
fell dead.
With a scream of rage the Indians rushed
upon me; another fell by my revolver.
Again | attempted to fire. but my revolver
snapped; throwing it away, prepared to
die and Just as the foremost Indian was
about to sink his knife into my bosom, the
SHARP crack of rifle was heard, and the
Indian fell dead at my feet, bathed in his
own blood. The next moment the stalwart
Harry Cleverly leaped into the ring. All
the savages fed but their chief, who rushed
upon my husband, shouting:
"Ha! ha Harry Cleverly, revenge at
last! !" and pointed lis pistol, which missed
fire.
The next moment my husbands knife
was in the renegade's heart. Harry had
seen the lines which | wrote on the wall,
and knew the fate of his wife and child.
We were troubled no more with the Indians,
tor the next year old Tlppecanoe, with the
avenging rlf1emen under his command,
drove away and cleared the forest of our
dusky foes.
Exc. ciseR IN Articulation