The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1888-01-06

''u hho"' Wnen L was only sew
ehteen. | stayed at home with mothc,
mat year; then Joseph and I. and vour
great-uncle Rufus. two-months-old
baby moved up to the north OF where
we been living and pretty nigh ON
the borders of Canada.
we were twenty miles from neigh
oors. and found our way to them by
spotted trccs-trces we'd marked. YOU
know, for the woods are confusing.
ut was lonely like for me; but
Joseph seldom left the farm, and then
only to go to the mill. thirty miles
away, TO get our corn and wheat
ground.
II used to be afraid sometimes, for
the neutrality-suspicious. that trav-
"led round and did Cmuch good
would stop over night and tell us
stories about the Indians. and some
times Id see the red creatures hiding
IN the woods, trying to steal COW or
calf. Joseph always went armed. to
be ready for 'em.
Ihe winters were terribly cold
there. and used To pity the squaws
and children that would come our
way, and they were always welcome TO
shelter in my house, and the men.
too, If they we've peaccablc. for hus-
band didn't believe in aggravating EN-.
'Well, the New Years Dav of the
first twelve months we'd lived there,
Joseph went to the mill with load.
lie couldn't get back that night for
the wolves were thick in winter and
fierce with hunger. and ID much
rather he'd stop over Besides, travel
ing was hard and the wagon heavy.
81 watched him drive OF. feeling
down-heartcd enough. After he'd
looked back and waved his hat. went
in with baby and had II good cry.
Then | reasoned myself out OF my
fears, and did up my work a-singing
to the baby.
IL got the COWS MIXED and fed. and
locked the barn; then, before | shut
the door for TIE night, | took good
look around 1T the trees. 1t was get
ting dark. and there were queer
shadows in the woods. and | felt more
scared than ever.
AFTER the baby was asleep, it was
lonesome enough sitting there before
the fire. and tlIr-tallow candle seeming
to burn DINNER than usual kept
thinking heard steps outside and the
icy snow a-cracking, and sometimes l
shook with dread and fear.
AT last | got up, thinking it was
and I'll feel better if |
looked out the window raised the
curtain, and, dear, oh. me! there was
an Indians face pressed close against
the pane.
"All painted hideous he was, with
red and blue. and terribly ugly being
to look at. He had eagle feathers on
his head and long gun, and was
rugged out for fighting.
Il thought should die; but l didn't
scream, though knew the door had no
other fastening than a bar of wood that
he could break.
'In a minute he came to the door,
pushing hard against it, and the bar
snapped like II twig.
'in he came. Over SIX feet high he
vas, and seemed to me the biggest
nan | ever SAW. He was wrapped IN
| blanket, and had clothes made of
kins on. He had the long gun and
big knife with him.
Il caught up the baby and run be-
lind the bed. He took scarcely any
notice of me, however, but shut the
Ioor. and went and warmed himself.
Then he hauled the quilt off the bed.
md fixed il over the window.
81 held my breath. wondering what
lc meant to do.
1.-The baby. waking up, gave little !
ny, and he turned and drew his knife |
cross his throat, meaning, l thought,
~ thcact. to kill the child.
al hushed the little one to sleep
gain, and he, dragging his blanket |
,efore the fire, sat down all in heap,
ike II pig, from comfort |
rouchcd behind the bed and watched 1
i'm.
Then he pointed To his mouth, to
ell me he was hungry. The victuais
we're down in the cellar. and daren't
% and leave him with the baby. But
&c kept appointing and getting mad;
o. at last, l mustered courage, and
ook the candle, and brought up
.reat milk-pan full of doughnuts,
iece OF pork and II jug of vinegar
hat was all we had.
BLESS me, how the creature did eat!
very doughnut went into him. then
he pork raw, and washing it down
~ - Z. 49,, |