Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1884-12-15
Susan COoper's Indian Ad-
ventures.

vCIittlfCS.
Tom Cooper was fine specimen
of the North American trapper.
Slightly but powerfully made, with
hardy. weather beaten, yet hand
some face, strong, indefatigable, and
crack shot, he was admirably
adapted for hunters life. For
many years he knew not what it was
to have home. but lived like the
beasts he hunted, wandering from
one part of the country to another in
pursuit of game. All who knew Tom
were much surprised when he came,
with pretty young wife, to settle
within three miles of a planters farm.
Many pitied the poor young creature,
who would have to lead such a soli-
tary life; while others said, eff she
was fool enough to marry him, it was
her own lookout.
For nearly four months. Tom re-
NAMED at home, and employed his
time in making the old hut he had
fixed on for their residence more
comfortable. He cleared and titled
small spot of land around it, and
Susan began to hope that for her sake
he would settle down quietly rs q
squatter. But these visions of hap
piness were soon dispelled, for as
soon as this work was finished, he
recommended his erratic mode of
life, and was often absent for weeks
together, leaving his wife alone, yet
not unprotected for since his mar
riage, old Nero, a favorite hound,
was always left at home as her guar
dian. He was noble dog, a cross
between the Scotch deerhound and
bloodhound, and would hunt an In
dian as well as a deer or bear, which,
Tom said, "was proof they Ingins
was a sort O warmint, or why should
the brute beast take to hunt 'em,
nat'ral hke,-him that took no notice
O. white men?''
| One clear, cold morning, about two
years after their marriage, Susan was
awakened by loud crash. immedi-
ately succeeded by Nero's deep bay
ing. She recollected that she had
shut him in the house as usual the
night before. Supposing he had
wlnded some solitary wolf or beal
prowling around the hut, and effect
ed his escape, she took little notice
of the circumstance but few mo-
ments after came shrill wild cry
which made her blood run cold.
To spring from her bed, throw OF
her clothes, and rush from the hut
was the work of minute. She NJ
longer doubted what the hound wa:
in pursuit of. Fearful thoughts sho
through her brain she called wildl,
on Nero, and to her joy he came
dashing through the thick underwood
AS the dog drew near she saw tina
he galloped heavily, and carried il
his mouth some large, dark creature
Her brain reeled; she felt cold ant
sickly shudder dart through her limbs
But Susan was hunters daugh
; er, and all her life had been accus
toned to witness scenes of DANCE
and horror, and in this school hat
learned to subdue the natural timidi
ty of her character. With q power
full effort she recovered herself jus
as Nero dropped at her feet a littl
Indian child, apparently hetweel
! three and four years old. She ben
down over him, but there was nj
sound or motion; she placed he
hand on his little naked chest th
heart within had ceased to beat-h
E was deadl The deep marks of th
dogs fangs were visible on the neck
e but the body was untorn.
r Old Nero stood with his larg
eyes fixed on the face of his mis-
tress, fawning on her, as if he ex
pected to be praised for what he ha
done, and seemed to wonder why sh
looked so terrified. But Susan spurn
ed him from her; and the fierce AM
n NAL, who would have pulled down a
S Indian as be would deer, crouche
humbly at the young woman's feet.
:" Susan carried the little body ger
> tly in her arms to the hut, and lai
it on her own bed. Her first impuls
Y was to seize loaded rife that hun
over the fireplace, and shoot th
hound; and yet she felt she coul
), not do it, for in the lone life she lee
y the faithful animal seemed like
: dear and valued friend, who love
and watched over her, as if aware G
i the precious charge intrusted to hin
/ She thought also of what her -hus
l band would say, when on his retur
he should find his old companio
dead.
Il Susan had never seen Tom reused
To her he had ever shown nothin
Il but kindness yet she feared as we
as loved him, for there was fire
# those dark eyes which told of deer
n wild passions hidden in his breas
e and she knew that the lives of
d whole tribe of Indians would be ligf
in the balance against that of his f;
: vorite hound.
Having securely fastened Nero
Susan, with heavy heart, proceede
If to examine the ground around til
hut. In several places she observe
e the impression of small moccasine