The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-01-21
miscellaneous.
The Heroic Mother.

Among the early settlers oil kentucky was
one Jonathan Wells, who located himself in
pleasant valley, not far from the Ohio river,
where for couple of years he remained in
peaceful quiet, unmolested by the Indians.
One pleasant day, in early autumn, he set
off for the nearest settlement, leaving his
wife and little three year old daughter at
home telling the former that he should prob
ably be back by dark, and charging her, if he
was not, to secure the house and open the
door to no one but himself
In the afternoon of that day, Mrs Wells
who though small delicate woman, DOS
sesscd the true spirit of border heroine
happened to be doing something few rods
from her dwelling, when, CHANGING to look
towards the woods surrounding the clearing
she espied a couple of savages cautiously re-
connoitering the place. She thought of her
husband away, her helpless little child in the
less situation, and felt ready to sink with de-
spair; but she called ON God for aid nerved
herself with a firm resolve, and walked quiet
ly back to the dwelling, with the air and
manner of one who had seen nothing to oc-
casion the least alarm.
No sooner was she in the house, however,
out of sight of the Indians, than, catching up
her little girl, she pressed her to her heart
with maternal anguish and prayed God to
preserve her harmless, even though her own
life should be sacrificed
"What for mamma say so ?" inquired the
little curly haired pet, looking up into her
mothers fearful face with childish wonder.
"You must keep still, Ella and not make
the least noise, because there are wicked In
dams about, and want to hide you 80 they
can't find you"
ooh, mammal
Hush now you must be good little girl,
and not cry, and not even speak to me, no
matter what you may hear"
But 'fraid Indian, mamma !"
Then you must keep still, and they won't
find you"
"Where papaw
ooh, would to God he were here !" cried
the poor wife and mother, with a wild
burst of emotion.
She then fastened to hide the child among
the straw of the bed, strongly impressing it
with the idea that its constant silence, and
| the wicked Indians.
This done, she turned to the window that
looked in the direction where she had seen
| the Indians, and perceived four of them leis-
urely, but somewhat cautiously, approaching
| the house.
What was she to do? Leave the door
open and let them enter, trying her own
peaceful intentions to effect like result in
themy or close and bar the house, and make
the best warlike defense she could.
For few moments she was undecided
which course to pursue, for there were about
equally strong arguments in favor of either.
Should she let them in peacefully, treat them
well, and offer them a few presents, they
might possibly go away without doing her
any harm; or should they even kill her, or
take her prisoner, seeing no one else about,
they might overlook her child and let it thus
escape and such was her maternal love, that
she would have been willing to sacrifice her.
self to insure the safety of her Offspring
On the other hand, should she bar up the
door and windows, and make use of the gun
and axe at her command, perhaps she could
| keep them out altogether, till such time as
her returning husband should become APP
| prised of the seige, who might then go and
bring force to the rescue.
Recollecting her husbands injunction
while arguing with herself she decided upon
the latter course; and in less than n minute
after that, the dwelling was as secure against
her enemies rs it was possible for her to make
| it..
She then took down gun that was resting
on some hooks overhead and hastily exam.
| ined 1t. She knew how to load and fire it,
even though she might not be able to sight
it well.
The piece she found already loaded and re.
membered having heard her husband say he
had put in large charge of buckshot; but Ia
make d0ubly sure, she hastily put in some
more which she found in q leathern pouch
He had taken his favorte rifle with him but
this piece had been left and large horn Of
powder; and with this in her hands, and the
certainty that she had plenty of ammunition
she felt slightly relieved from the sensation
of almost utter helplessness which she had
but minute before experienced.
She had put in some extra shot, as we have
said, and secured them with light wad, anG
was in the act of repriming the piece, will
hands that trembled so as to spill some of the
powder on the floor, when loud rap sound