The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-10-06


ing a river, she espied some distanc,
away from her route an opening in tn,
ice. Her practiced eye recognized il a
having been made by the Indians fo
the spearing of fish. Satisfied tba
her enemies had passed that way. ant
certain that, they would not soon re
turn, she sought the spot of their en-
campment in hopes of finding the re
mains of their repasts. Not far from
the river bank there was still STANDING
wigwam. 1t was, however, de.
serted. So hastily had it beer
vacated that some half-cooked
cakes of corn were still among the
ashes. After she had eaten a part 81
these and secreted the rest for future
consumption, she hid herself arain in
the woods. She was now upon the trai]
of few Indians who were in pursuit
of others of hostile tribe. Following
them, she did not so much fear her
own pursuit. The next day she came
upon the body of dead Indian. This
was a most fortunate discovery for her
for the dead chief had all his weapons
about him. She took them from him.
and soon after had the satisfaction of
killing a rabbit. From that time to
the end of her journey she never was
in want of food.
Through all her danger, her hard
ships, her toll she thought only of her
husband She feared that he was dead.
but vet if it was true that he still lived
she counted all things as naught if she
could but regain his side.
Even if he had been seeking her all
this time she could not have known it,
so closely was she watched. She was
six weeks in making her way back to
New Ulm. Had not the rivers been
frozen, and so passable, her weary
journey would have been prolonged
and made still more hazardous, Her
fears would never have allowed her to
ask any Indian for his caDe, and so
all the rivers and many likes which
raaify northern and eastern Minnesota
would have every one proved a barrier
in her path. r-ff
She reached her old home at night
fall. The twilight camt so early and
so quickly that she quiclened her pace
lest night should oyertlke her. The
cemetery was on the outskirts of the
village ON the road by which she came.
She saw its white he,dstones shining
in the gray light, andentered the in
closure. A thought lad struck her
that it would be wellbo see if her hus-
bands name were among those lettered
on the stones, HesIating, and yet
anxious to be done and have her rack
ing anxiety set at rest she went from
mound to mound peerng at the marble,
striving in the dim light to decipher
the insert ptions. At the further end
from the entrance she came to marble
shaft which she was certain bore the
name of Carthorne. But the daylight
was now so far gone that she could
read no more on the tablet. She was
not even certain of that one word She
searched upon the ground and found
two pieces of bark BY rubbing these
together she finally set fire to pile of
dead oak-leaves she had collected. She
then took blazing stick and returned
to the monument.
To the Memory
of
Laura,
wife of Richard Carthorne,
and their children,
f. Gervayse and Arthur,
Captured and Massacred by the Indians.
And then followed the date.
Her husband believed to a certaintr
that she was dead! Why had he beel
SO ready to believe? She had de.
clared to herself that he was no more
in this world, though she had feared it
much. A chill sense of being shut out
from the world, a CHASTITY feeling of I'M
reality crept over her. Was she, then,
coming back to her husband like one
raised from the dead? Would her re-
turn inspire more awe than rapture?
She thought of all this crouching in the
snow beside the monument. The lighted
stick had gone out and dropped I'M
needed from her hand. Shivering, tired
hungry and disheartened she wrapped
herself in her blanket and sank to sleep
beside her own gravestone.
The bright morning sun shining full
in her face awoke her. For one mo-
ment she was bewildered, not remem-
bering the past and suddenly finding
herself in so strange a locality The
sight of her own name recalled her
recollection. She hastily began her
walk to the village. The yellow sun
light flooded the white ground. The
crisp snow cracked under her tread.
Some birds were twittering to each
other from the bare bushes and trees.
The heaven was fathomless blue with
fragile white clouds drifting slowly
through its dome. All these things ap-
pealed to her as they appeal only to
those who have lived In close com
munion with Nature. Her depressed
spirits rose and she went hopefully on
her way. JOG,
Her husband was but a little distance
away from her. She was returning to
fill his desolate life with light and ioy.
They would mourn together over the
loss of their children. sympathy
would take the sting out of all their
sorrows. Once more they would unite
their energies and make a home for
themselves, gather about them objects
sacred from association, and part in
the morning only to await reunion AFT
the close of the day. All, that last
parting! She remembered his face as
he turned the corner and disappeared
Would he look the same nowP That
was nearly five years ago. .'
Suddenly she stopped and looked
down at herself, her moccasined feet
her battered hlanLo4 TO- 1.TtI