The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-01-07
Selected Storp.
The Scarlet Cloak.

us
that part of Massachusetts now known
as the town of Ray nham. AT that
period it was called Cohannet These
brothers came to this country not to
enrich themselves at the expense of
the red men of the forest, by robbing
them of their lands, but to gain a live
lihood by honest labor. James aud
Henry were both skilled in the arts of
iron manufacture, and to them belongs
the honor of building the first forge in
the United States, which they set in
Rayuham. They made a home close
by in rude log hut, as all the early
settlers of our country were in the
habit of doing, it being the easiest and
cheapest mode for building homes for
themselves and their families.
After the erection of the forge the
two brothers had many visitors, es-
pecially from the tribes of Indians liv-
ing roundabout. At all times these
children of nature would be seen stand
ing about the premises, awaiting an
opportunity for peep at the inside
show. The pounding of the great
trip hammer, the roaring of the blazing
furnace fires, and the noise of the ma
chinery made a profound impression
upon their untaught natures, filling
their minds with awe and wonder.
About a mile from the forge there
was sheet of water known as the
Fowling pond. On the banks of this
pond King Philip of Mount Hope had
q perfect lit lie huntingdon 1t was
his habit to spend several weeks each
year in this locality, for the woods were
full of game and the pond alive with
fish,
On more than one occasion had James
Leonard been invited by Philip to 90
on hunting excursion, in return for
the many favors that had been shown
him. James had good eye and an ex-
cellent fowling-piece, and whenever he
went out hunting he was sure to bag
game. After good days sport the
generous James would present his
kingly Indian companion with good
part of his game, taking home only
what he desired for dinner.
For some reason, best known to him
self, Henry Leonard did not tarry long
in Cohannet, but went to New jersey,
and made a settlement there.
James Leonard prospered, and erected
fine mansion, after the style of the
old houses in England. Although the
savases entertained friendly relations
with the Leonards, yet some means of
defence were put in with the new house,
in case of any treachery on the part of
the Indians in the future. During the
war which followed this house, with
another near by, was kept constantly
garrisoned. But when King Philips
war was fully opened that ruler gave
strict orders to his people never to mo-
lest the Leonards on any account
Philip was not so cruel as he has been
painted. He saw that his people were
being wronged by the newcomers, that
they were being cheated and robbed of
their lands, that they were pushed and
driven from their native soil, and that
the whites were evidently bent upon
the determination of his race, and his
heart swelled with Indignation against
the pale-faced intruder.
1t was to the old historical mansion
of the Leonard family that | once went
when child. l distinctly remember
its odd gables, and the vane upon one
of its peaks, with the date 100 inscribed
upon it. The principal pant of the
house was, however, erected thirty
years previous. / was greatly attracted
by the huge oaken ratters, the small
window-panes, the deep window-seats
and the enormous fireplace. Greatly
to my delight, | was given permission
to explore the rambling old building
from cellar to garnet. There were a
couple of lovely maiden ladies at that
time living in a part of the large old
house, and, when weary of wandering
through the musty garnet chambers,
haunted as it seemed to my childish
fancy, by the ghosts of all the dead
Leonards and The wraiths of many
tawny Indian boys, | returned to
the wide fore room' and seated N.Y.
self primly beside the dear old ladies'.
sat watching the tall, ld-fashioned
clock in the corner, with the picture of
a ship above its face, which constantly
rocked to and fro with every tick, tick
of the clock, and wondering if that was
like the vessel that Tom sailed in when
he came TO this country. One of the
ladies, perceiving that / was almost on
the point Of falling asleep, said, sud
denly: Little girl, would you like to
hear IA story? ?" "Oh, yes" l replied,
" l should be delighted"
So she began. "Now, child" said
she, 'you have heard that Indians used
to live all around here, and that they
were kind and peaceabe. Many time
have they slept on our kitchen floor, In
dian men, as my grandmother used to
tell me, close up to the fire in the winter,
and sometimes they would cook their
venison over our fire. Among these
Indians who sometimes wandered into
this old house was a woman who was
possessed by nature of many wonderful
gifts. The white people called her
Betty-Squaw Betty, in order to dis
tinguish her from a white woman by
the same name who lived in that locality.
Squaw Betty was a :" medicine woman"
and was held in high esteem by all
white people as well as those of her own
race. She had the most marvellous
knowledge of roots, herbs, banks and
gums, and could tell all their healing
properties and virtues. She was so sue
cessful in healing the sick that she was
sent for far and near, wherever disease
and i'll health appeared. AT the home