The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-07-13
A FALSE PROPHET.

his LOT among the pines anu sliiho ~ "
homo and fortune in the valley was Jacop
Horson. ...,,,o
lilo came with his family, cut n swathe
along the south bank Of the river ana
erected a water mn.
The result was thriving settlement IN
few wears. The woods were yet the hun1-
ing ground for a numerous BODY Oh IN
diaus and the fat at the mouth OF the
stream where Horson erected his MIL was
used by the Ottawas as camping grouhu
in the spring Of the year-the sugar seHson
few miles back from the river were
immense forests Of maple. where tho IN
dams made sugar, and "toted II 10 the
river camp, where it was stored during the
season.
There were forty wigwams erected on
the fiat one spring, twoscore years ago
when the incidents occurred that am
about 90 relate.
Near the bank Of the river was large
bark wigwam, which had been erected as
n storebouse for sugar, and here, now the
end OF the sap season, thousand POUNDS
Of stirred sugar was stored in birch bark
receptacles made for the purpose by the
Indians.
One pleasant spring morning as jacob
Uorson WAS crossing the mill dam, going
from his house TO the mill, he noticed
considerable connection among the lndl-
ans and squaws, n large number OF whom
had gathered about the s.Orehouse on the
river bank.
Mr.. Horson knew that something was
wrong but paid no heed TO it at the time.
An hour later two stout Indian bucks APP
reared mt the mill and asked to see Hor-
son.
1.-TWO bark gone-full sugar
! This was the announcement made by the
two Indians when the pioneer confronted
them. A little inquiry elected the fact
that two birch barks, containing at least
100 pounds Of sugar each, had been stolen
the previous night from the storehouse.
Jacob Horson was indignant at the
thought that any Of his mill crew had been
guilty Of such work, and he at once assured
the Ottawas that he would have a thorough
investigation.
At the noon hour, when all the men had
gathered in their room at the boarding
house, Mr.. HorsOn. accompanied by the
two bucks, presented himself before them
and stated the case pointedly.
"If any member or members Of my crew
have stolen sugar from the Indians | want
20 know it. 1t may have been perpetrated
as joke, and confession now and restitu-
ton will save the mischief makers from
discharge.
The men seemed surprised. Each for
himself denied the theft, and the mill
owner believed them. The two Indians
shook their heads and went away mutter-
ing.
Several days passed, and the discomfort
grew more serious. Jacob Horson did not
believe one OF his crew had perpetrated the
theft. Ii must have been some wandering
hunters, be said, and so for a time the mat
ter rested.
"Madge, did you know that a great In
dian prophet had appeared down at Pages
landingf" said young Austin Woodston,
the mill blacksmith, who often visited the
kitchen OF the Horsons to sec the pretty
hired girl, Madge Mason.
Woodston was superior young man
and Of a studious disposition. As the
boarding house was full Mr.. Horson adj
mitted the young blacksmith to his house,
where he took so we'll he seemed like a
member Of the family.
Pages landing was ten miles below the
mill settlement.
81 hadn't heard Of it," remarked Madge.
"Well, it's true, it seems, for Mr. Stowell
told me so this morning"
"Is he fortune teller"
81 guess not that, but an Indian seer, a
prophet. The Indians have gone down TO
consult him about the loss Of their sugar. !"
"Tbe ideal What nonsense and Madge
laughed merrily.
80 think, but Mr.. Stowell believes in
IL. He said he believed the Indians would
now find their stolen property
1.-THE idea that a man like Mr.. Stowell
could be so superstitious.
That afternoon, however, delegation OF
Ottawas visited Mr.. Horson at home.
ave know the thief said the spokes
man in fair English. "He lib with you"
"What do you meanp demanded the
mill owner quite surprised at the visit.
He supposed the red men had given up all
thought of finding the stolen sweets.
, Great spirit tell medicine man we find
thief your house"
"Do YOU mean TO accuse me'
! "Will YOU let us search house? Man
steal our sugar, young, with hair on lip
blue eyes"
'Do YOU mean Woodston' He wouldn't
do such thing. Yes, search the house If
YOU want to- You'll have your trouble for
your pains. III lead the way"
The mill owner opened his own trunk to
the red investigators He did not care to
nave the enmity OF the Indians, and was
willing 10 satisfy them that none of the
stolen sugar was in his house.
( At length they entered the young black
smiths room. One of the Indians bounced
upon a green chest in one corner, and
threw up the cover, It not being locked.
10! and behold, there, exposed TO view,
was heap Of maple sugar, partially en-
ye,oped in pasteboard box.
The Indians gesticulated violently, and
seemed both pleased and enraged at one
and the same time.
Jacob Horson was thunderstruck
Heseut for the Young blacksmith mt once
When he was confronted with the evidence
be seemed dumfounded
"Where did You get that sugar, Austin
woodstonf" demanded the mill owner
II did't get it at all, A" svowed the black
smith. IL don't know how IL came in my
chest I'm sure it wasn't here two days
ago"
II the young man had said that he
bought the sugar Mr.. Horson might have
believed him. His denial OF all knowledge
of how the sugar came to be in the chest
but added 10 the suspicion Of guilt. The
Indians confiscated the sugar. only asmall
portion OF the amount lost, and returned
10 their friends with the news.
That night there was great pow-wow In
the Ottawa camp, and the whites feared
that trouble might ensue.
II don't know how il can be settled
said Woodston cts mystery how the
sugar got into my chest"
II accept your word, Mr.. Woodston,"
raid the mill owner, butt
II understand" interrupted the young
man quickly "lll not embarrass you by
remaining 20 enrage the Indians. I'll go
tonight"
The mill owner paid the young man his
wages and woodston departed lie halted
In the kitchen 20 speak with Madge Mason.
"Its shame that you have TO 90, Aus
tin, all on account OF that miserable Indian
prophet"
you believe me when say am limo
cent. Madgef"
n 10. -