Louisiana capitolian., 1881-09-22
FRBASURE-TROVE.

hV Dp'BhCi WbO y c"hE, Ff'eb Va Ppi
haps four and five and twenty. He was
clad in the stout, yet tasty, garments Of
the western hunter, An elegant rife
lay by his side on the turf, whilo d cap
Of squirrel skins, evidently made by
himself, was tossed carelessly az his feet.
As he threw himself upon the sward at
the foot Of n tall tree and gave express
sion to the words with which our story
opens, his dog, one of those rough, shaggy
hounds so common in the west nestled
luis head in the young mans lap and
looked up into his masters face, all the
while busily wagging his tail. His
master answered his mute appeal by
caressing his head.
The hunters face was open, frank and
manly, while tho dark, blue eyes looked
ont from beneath the dark eye brows
with that free and bold expression that
is the attribute of those who passa great
deal of time in the woods.
Not far from where be lay the blue
waters of Lake Superior could be seen
between tho trees, and q cool breeze
blowing from the lake lifted the damp
curls on the young mans brow.
sa,,a Nar,, ,yn ,,,of ,vn -
And, with u sigh, tho hunter picked
up his gun and started OFT, his faithful
dog darting through the bushes in search
of game, the pouch hanging from his
masters shoulders, attesting his PROV
ess.n
Tho hunter had gone but few stops
when o squirrel darted up % tree near
him. Quick as thought the gun came to
the shoulder and was discharged. Sim
ultaneously with the report u woman's
shrek attested the fact that there was
some one else in the woods. rho young
man darted through the underground in
the direction of tho sound and found q
young lady, fair as the ''iirst 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 pertorations made by
the shot bleeding profnsely. Touching
his cap, the hunter said:
as he hurt badly, miss l'
ooh, sir, fear you have killed him !!
What shall do7'
"Let mo see him, please"
And kneoling by the side OF the youth
he drew q brandy flask from his pocket,
and, forcing the boys mouth open, al-
lowed q 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 the young hunters face, he
said
"Ah, Charlie, is that you ?"
eyes. Harry. Arc you much hurtw
"Oh, think not. Only stunned a 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, Charl's Hamilton,
Nellie"
And blushing rosy red the young
lady acknowledged the SALVATION of the
hunter.
IS As he looked at her, Charley thought
she was the most beautiful young lady
he had ever seen. About 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 so bewitching, was
coiled in heavy mass upon her head,
while her pure, white complexion afford.
ed o pleasing contrast
The young people started homeward
through an open glade in the dark for
est, Charley whispering softly in tho
pink, white car 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 q settlers home. In
outward appearance it was only one OF
those ordinary log houses in which the
pioneers lived when they entered the
wilderness to carve ont a fortune and q
home. But the wild, Towering vines