Louisiana capitolian., 1881-09-24
TREASURE-TROVE.
"oh! / ara 10 tired"

Inc speaker was young man OF perl
haps four and five and twenty. He was|
clad in tho stout, yet tasty, garments of
the western hunter. An elegant rife|
lay by his side on the turf, while cap|
of squirrel skins, evidently made by|
himself, was tossed carelessly at his feet.
As he threw himself upon the sward att
the foot of a tall tree and gave express
sion to the words with which our story
opens, hisdog, one of those rough, shaggy
hounds 30 common in the west nestled
his head in the young mans lap and
looked up into his masters face, all thel
while busily wagging his tail. His
master answered his mute appeal by|
caressing his head.
The hunters face was open, frank and
manly, while the dark, blue eyes looked
ont from beneath the dark eye brows
with that free and bold expression that
is the attribute Of those who pass o great
deal of time in the woods.
Not far from where he lay the blue
waters of Lake Superior could be seem
between the trees, and cool breeze
blowing from the lake lifted the damp
: curls on the young mans brow.
"Come, Nero, we must 60.
And, with sigh, the hunter picked
mp his gun and started of, his faithful
dog darting through the bushes in search
of game, the pouch hanging from bis
masters shoulders, attesting his Prov
ess.r
The hunter had gone but few steps
when squirrel darted up tree near
him. Quick as thought the gun came to
the shoulder and was discharged. Sim
ultaneOusly with the report q woman's
shrek attested the fact that there was
some one else in the woods. The young
man darted through the underground in
the direction of the sound, and fonnd a
young lady, fair as the "frst blush OF
rosy dawn" kneeling by the side of q
youth Of some twelve years Of age. The
load Of squirrel shot had scattered as he
fred and few had struck the youth in
the face, the little perforations made by
the shot bleeding profusely. Touching
his cap, the hunter said;
SIS he burt badly, miss ~
"Ob, sir, fear You have killed him
What shall do ?"
"Let me see him, please"
And kneeling Ivy the side OF the youth
he drew brandy flask from his pocket,
and, forcing the boys mouth open, al.
lowed a few drops TO run down his
throat. This seemed to revive the boy,
for he opened his eyes and looked
around him. Seeing the anxious ex-
preston on tho young hunters face, be
said:
"Ah, Charlie, is that yon 7"
Eyes. Harry. Are you much hurt ~
"Oh, think not. Only stunned q lit
tle."
And with admirable nonchalance the
boy took ont his handkerchief and
washed away the blood.
'!Charlie, this is my sister, Nellie.
This IS my friend, Charlie Hamilton,
Nellie.p
And blushing a rosy red the young
lady acknowledged the SALVATION of .he
hunter.
As he looked at her, Charley thought
she was the most beautiful yonng lady
he had ever seen. Abont nineteen years
of age, tall and graceful, Nellie Moore
was one to attract more than passing at
tention. Her eyes, black as midnight,
now soft with liquid light, yet capable
Of flashing glance Of lightning at the
poor unfortunate who might offend her.
Her hair, of that purple black color SO
rarely seen, yet 50 bewitching, was
eoiled in heavy mass upon her head,
while her pure, white complexion afford
ed q pleasing contrast.
The young people started homeward
through an open glade in the dark for
est, Charley whispering softly in the
pink, white ear so near, as the maiden
walked by his side with downcast eyes,
while Harry, who had more interest in
the game than anything else strolled
ahead. In vain did Nero scent out the
squirrels in their hiding places, Charley
had neither eyes nor ears for anything
save the maiden fair.
As the sun was sinking to rest in the
waves of the beautiful lake, the party
came in sight of settlers home. In
outward appearance it was enly one of
those ordinary log houses in which the
pioneers lived when they entered the
wilderness to carve out fortune and a
home. But the wild, Towering vines