Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-10-22

fiF just Tue opportunity which WoS otsCtcu-
She had become acquainted with Mignon's
friends Curriers-and knowing their
views had confided to Harry Edlon her
project of escape which was heartily sec
onded by him. Having lived so long
among them and oyerhearing scraps of
conversation between her husband and the
leading elders. she could well gless what
the alarm of indians meant. and she gave
Harry Edlon and Mr.. Currier warning in
as plain terms as she dared. but the elder
gentleman did not quite understand it as
il seemed.
Harry warned mis- friend James Rhon and
they kept together near the rocks and
when the volley was fired both fell and
rolled into the brook. getting safely away
in the confusion. For Ruth had directed
the Indian to guide Harry to the cave sew
eral DAYS before and he had added many
comfortable things and by her direction
had conveyed his horse and the girls ponies
away the night before.
James secured his horse. at some risk,
during the excitement following the re-
turn Of the volunteers.
So all was ready as soon as Mignon WAS
able to travel. for Ruth would not leave
one who trusted her so implicitly, then
with the guidance of the Indian woman
and her son. they would ere long be draw
ing nearer the treasures from which she
had so long been separated.
When Harry Edlon led Mary Currier.
seated upon her pony, round the projecting
rock, the horses feet sp!ashed again in a
shallow brook, rs he led her under an
overlianging mass of rock very similar TO
others around it and in A moment they were
in what seemed like a large hall Ofrock, up
on one side Of which was smouderlng
fire which Harry at once replenlshed, and
lighted lamp which stood upon rocky
shelf. with reflector behind it. causing
the place to look quite comfortable in the
bright light, with easy chairs, lounges,
etc, drawn near the fire.
Welcome to our fortress. Mary" he
said. as he lifted her from the pony. and
led her to u comfortable seat. ''You will
have only Tom tor company till bring
the rest''-to which she only said. ''llur
ry. do, want TO feel safe for awhile.
And soon the little party were gathered
about the fire. while the horses were taken
to their places and fed
There were many CALCULATIONS OF won
der and Indignation, as the story was told
them by Harry; and it was long ere the
excitement subsidized sufficiently to enable
them to seek the rest they so sorely
needed.
DAYS passed on One week-two weeks
were numbered in the history of the past,
and still the mysterious disappearance
could not be explained. The Prophet and
his Elders. while they allowed the people
to believe that Harry Edlon and James
Rhon had been carried off and killed by
the Indians, were secretly not a little ex-
ercised by their unaccountable disap-
pearance.
And now mystery of my steries There
came a morning when the first and the
last wives of Albert Odney had also dis
appeared. like the others, leaving no
trace.
The idea of self-destruction which had
prevailed in the minds of some in regard
to the Currier girls. was untenable here,
as they took all their personal effects, but,
like the others. they left TO mark to show
whittier their feet had tended. The old
Indian woman came and went as usual,
but with eyes and ears open and obser-
want.
Two covered wagons and several mules
were stolen. apparently by the Indians,
and an expedition spent two days in
truitless search then returned. resolved
to guard the rest more vigilantly.
Again out on the desert plain beneath
the burning sun. And again the little
party drink of the brackish pool. and re-
Wondering well the hardships before
them, supply themselves amply with
water. Their faces are turned towards
civilization, whose blessings they will
now value more highly than ever. But
we need not follow them as they slowly
but surely overcome the weary distance.
The Scotch emigrants found home in
New York. while the two Mrs Odneys
sought the home of Ruth. in Philadelphia,
where the famished mothers heart was
filled to overlooking with the love and
caresses of her two beautiful girls.
Reader. in turning the pages of life, we
have CHANGED haply upon painful pic
ture-a scene of barbarism Graded in the
very heart of the Continent, and protect
ed by the flag of the most noble govern
ment on earth-an unseemly blot upon
the fair pages of the history of our loved
Republic.