Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1881-11-24
THE TRApPER'S STORY.

"You needn't laugh, young man. I've
seen bolder hearts as your'n, soften at
danger. I've been 10 the woods, this nigh
many an ugly sc.immugc, and haze seen
comrades as never know'd fear,lshun the
Mhito Wolf. 'ralnt for such as you to
make light '5?:'ssftS hipgs."
There was so!olnuity and sternness in the
old Trorpcr's voice. aud the fire of sti
warm heart, kinl!cd moment 10 his old
dim eye, as he slowly twisted an immense
chew from the plug, and thrust it thought
fully into his cheek. The young hunter
addressed, assumed more guarded tone
as he watched the old man with interest.
"Tell US Of the White Wolff" was the re-
quest Of the company, urged in the most
dcfcrental manner.
"ho night was well advanced, the sky
drapcd in heavy rain clouds, aud the ins
creasiug winds sweeping ftfuly and mourn
fully through the forest. The waning
campfire sent its Pickering glare family out
into the surrounding darkness; the tall pine
trunks st'ndng out from the inky bluck-
ness beyond, like ghnstlv forms.
"Punch up the fire." said the Tiarpcr,
still gazing motonlcss into the cmbers.
The wood was tossed on until the sparks
aud famo shot upwards in q ruddy glare
aud shivcrcd chccrly upon tho faces of
the circle.
Just then howl, clear, long drawn, and
feariuly dismal in its tone, came swelling
up fr"m the valley, upon the winds. There
was slight movement in the Trapper's
muscles, and shndow crcpt over the wrin-
kled aud swarthy features.
''lt alters comes on such nights as this!"
murmurcd the old man, lis gaze still look-
ing into the fire. Even among these brave
men, there was an involuntary movement
toward the fire, at the sound from the forest,
aud the young man, who had laughed at
tho old mans supcrstitions, paled about
the lips, aud cast q hurried glanoo over his
shoulder, into the forest.
"Two and thirty years ago, next Christ
mas" slowly commenced tho Trapper, III
came into these woods, aud nobody with
me, 'cept Jed Williams and his sister,"
The Trapper hcsitatcd moment as some
sad memories seemed to como upon him and
his voice grew as tender and trcmu ous as
a woman's.
'Jcd wap as true boy us ever drew a
sight, nnd uncommon skilled he was, in all
kinds OF wood craft. The Ingiu himself,
could not sarkumvent Jed Williams. and
the crack OF his rifo was sartin' death to
every critter. Jed Williams sister wal
boys" said the Troppcr, half dcprccatingly
as if ashamed Of his emotion, 81 cant help
it, but these things take draadful deep
hold 90 me at times, though may DO you
young men will wonder why Old Dave, as
they oull him, should grow tender ut the
mention of woman. But | was young
then, and by tho gods, boys" continued he
with trcmuloue energy, as if struggling to
choke down rising feeling, "a faircr, or
more beautiful critter never bloomed in the
woods" Tho hunter hcsitated u moment,
unclenchcd his hard hand, aud hastily and
slyly brushed large drop from tue rough
check aud continued: "Ycs, she was u
lovable gal, as trim as pine, and as light
footed as fawn Her eye WIS mild, and
yet it would kinder look through ono, aud
hor voice was sweet as the dancing waters.
We'll, boys, to tell the truth, for feel kind
O. like talking to night, I thought IN un.
common sight of Mary Williams. 'Twant
often In hunters lifetime, that such
"Trip of sunshine streaked his trail /
felt, did, as though owned the whole
Northwest and hadn't a single care for tEe
future.
'The first lngin summer came, aud Mafy
and !, and Jed, used 10 tramp ND and down