The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-10-12
An Indian 5 White Wife

@E5 near the - springs, whose
&G popularity reputed health Civ
ing waters annually attracted
crowds of visitors. The season was
at its height. The hotels were filled
with pleasure seekers, while nervous
invalids sought for more quiet ac-
commodations in private families.
The principal spring was sur
rounded by beautiful grove, under
meath whose ample shade were ex-
posed for sale the various products
of the Indian woman's skillful
fingers, which often commanded an
exorbitant price. Some of these
girls were very pretty and pict-
uresque in their gay costumes, and
their stands were well patronized by
the wealthy visitors.
was especially attracted by and
interested IN the inmates of a little
cabin further up the hill, which con-
sisted of a stalwart Indian, whom /
always found seated near the door,
making bows and arrows of the most
skillful workmanship, and his white
wife, really beautiful woman, with
flashing black eyes and skin but
slightly tinged by the exposure OF
her out-of-door life. She wore moe
casins embroidered with beads, a
short, gray skirt, trimmed with a
fringe of feathers, and scarlet blan
ket thrown about her graceful shout
ders. The whole costume became
her well, and to me was strangely
fascinating.
Three children, with something of
their mothers beauty and their
fathers grave and taciturn demean-
or, played about the door; but
though the mother provided for
their simple wants, never observed
her caressing or fondling them as
mothers usually do. l have my
full share of womanly curiosity, and
never before had it been so thorough
ly aroused. Besides, l was only 16
then, and somewhat romantic with
al, so l dreamed of my heroine, as 1
fancied her, by day and by night,
and talked about her to every one
whose attention 1 could command,
or who seemed in the least in
terested.
Among the boarders in my friends
family was a gentleman apparently
about forty years of age, though his
hair and heavy beard were thickly
sprinkled with gray. His eyes were
dark and piercing, and his whole
manner peculiarly nervous and rest
less. Every day he took his station
near the principal spring, at the
hour prescribed by fashion for her
devotees to imbibe the waters,
peering eagerly into every beautiful
face as if striving to discover some
long lost friend; but invariably re-
turning home sad and detected, and
for some time in the soil
tude of his own room. We all
fancied him slightly demented, and
were somewhat shy of his acquaint-
ance.
To my surprise he listened ear
nestly to all my rhapsodies about
my beautiful friend, and finally ex-
pressed wish to accompany me to
her cabin. 1 consented, hoping to
a good customer for the
articles she and her husband manu-
featured, and said, playfully, as we
the cabin:
Il believe this woman could tell
strange story, and you must help
me to unravel the mystery"
The little ones darted shyly be-
hind the cabin, and the Indian gave
his usual salutatory grunt as we en-
tered. My friend was seated upon
a broad mat, busily plating a
brooch of delicate fibres. She
looked up at me with a smile, but
the moment her eyes fell upon my
companion a strange expression
fitted across her features, and she
waved us back, imperiously as
any queen might have done; but,
finding that my companion stood |
fixed immovably to the spot, her
look and tone changed to intense
and imploring supplication, and,
with clasped, appraised hands, she
walled out:
Raymond, Raymond Morris,
what do you here? Oh, why will
you not leave me?"
l laid my hand lightly upon his
arm, hoping to break the spell that
bound him, but the muscles were
rigid as iron. The Indian alone
was imperturbable, only giving
at intervals, to a short,
cultural sound, expressive of dis
satisfaction. stood trembling with
terror, and my beautiful friend
bowed her head upon her hands,
while Raymond Morris's white lips
strove for articulation.
Julia! My lost Juliaw came at
last, as from the depths OF break
ing heart, and with feeble, uncertain
steps he left the cabin, 1 walking
silently by his side, for his counte
nance repealed all inquiry and for
babe the expression of sympathy.
Neither of US visited the spring
the next day, but toward evening
Raymond Morris entered the parlor,
I'd seating himself before me, with
out preliminary remark, said:
Miss Fanny, 1 have got favor
to ask of you. Promise me that you
will endsavor to procure me another
interview with the woman we saw
yesterday. must see her again,
yet would not go unbidden. l
have known her in other and hap
pier years; she was the betrothed of
my youth, whom have sought long
and vainly until now. She told me
she was married-married Of her
own free choice-but, o, never
dreamed of thisr'
Raymond Morris bowed his pale
face upon his hands; then, raising
his head, said earnestly:
You will assist me? Premise
me that you will assist me-"
1 could not resist his appeal, and
promised hesitatingly.
The next morning, at an early
hour, wendell my way to the little
cabin. Its mistress received me
calmly, but with less than her usual
cordiality. With low voice and
stammering lips / performed my