Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1882-11-11
An Indian. White Wh.

During the summer Of 1856 1 Wis
tied a relative who resided near the
- springs, whose popularity reput-
ed health-gIving waters annually
attracted crowds of visitors. The
season was at its height. The ho-
tells were filled with pleasure seek
els, while nervous invalids sought
ftr more quiet accommodations in
private families.
The principal spring was sur
founded by beautiful grove, un-
derneath whose ample shade were
exposed for sale the various prod
ucts of the Indian woman's skillful
| fingers, which often commanded an
exhorbitant price. Some OF these
girls were very pretty and pictur-
esque in their gay costumes, and
their stands were well patrOnized
by the wealthy visitors.
1 was especially attracted by and
interested in the inmates of little
cabin further up the hill, which con-
sisted of stalWart Indian, whom l
always found seated near the door,
making bows aud arrows OF the
most skillful workmanship, and his
white wife, really beautiful wo-
man, with flashing black eyes and
a skin but slightly tinged by the ex-
pOsure of her out Of-door life. She
wore. moccasins embroidered with
beads, short, gray skirt, trimmed
with a fringe of feathers, and scar
let blanket thrown about her grace
full shoulders 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 observ-
ed her caressing or fondling them
as mothers usually do. I have my
full share of womanly curiosity, and
never before had it been so thor
oughly aroused. Besides, [ was
only 16 then, and somewhat roman
tic Withal, so / dreamed of my her.
oine, as fancied her, by day and
by night, and talked about her to
every one whose attention could
command, or who seemed in the
least interested.
Among the boarders in my friends
family was gentleman apparently |
hair and heavy beard We're thickly |
sprinkled with gray. His eyes were
dark and piercing, and his whole
manner peculiarly nervous and
restless. Every day he took his sta
ton 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
remaining for some time in the soli-
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. L consented, hoping to
introduce a good customer for the
articles she and her husband manu-
factured, and said, playfully, as we
approached the cabin:
81 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 salutary grunt as we en-
tered. My friend was seated upon
broad mat, busily plating a
brooch of delicate ffbres. She
looked up at me with 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, find
ing that my companion stood fixed
immovably to the spot, her look
and tone changed to intense and
imploring supplication, and, with
clasped, upraised hands, she walled
out:
Raymond, Raymond Morris,
what do you here? Oh, why will
you not leave me"
i laid my hand tightly 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
utterance, at intervals, to short,
gutteral sound, expressive of dissat-
isfaction. | stood trembling with
terror, and my beautiful friend
bowed her head upon her hands,
while Raymond Morris's white lips
StrOve for articulation.
"JuIia! My lost Julia !" came at
last, as from the depths of a break
ing heart, and with feeble uncertain
steps he left the cabin, L walking
by his side, for his cOunte- 1
nance repelled all inquiry and for .
babe the expression of sympathy.
Neither of us visited the spring
the next day, but toward evening {
Morris entered the par
IOr, and seating himself before me,
without preliminary remark, said:
"Miss Fanny, / have got a favor
to ask of you. Promise me that you
will endeavor to procure me anoth-
Ell interview with the woman we
saw yesterday. l must see her
again, yet would not go unbidden.
/ 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
Vi IiCI OWi liSC NhOASC-- OuCS " | !
never dreamed of thisw
Raymond Morris bowed his pale
face upon his hands; then, raising
his head, said earnestly:
"You will assist me? Promise me
that you will assist me-"
l could not resist his appeal, and
promised hesitatingly.
The next morning, at an early
hour, / wended my way to the lit
tie cabin. Its mistress received me
but with less than her
usual cordiality. With low voice
and stammering lips L performed
my errand. The Indian husband
was silent, and Julia motioned me
to seat on the mat beside her.
Perhaps from long residence among
the Indians she had acquired the
habit of repressing her feelings, tor
it was with scarcely n visible trace
of emotion that she told me her
story.
81 was born and educated among
the granite hills of New Hampshire.
My father was a clergyman, Il good
man, but stern and repellant in his
manner. l had little recreation;
work, study and grave discourse al
in my life. | know now
that nv father loved me and that I