The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-04-14

INV
poor, and. naturally,
were anxious to better their temporal condi,
tion. Fer the most part, they had Workea
as mill-hands and day-labor at miseraoly
low wages and they were convinced that they
could not possibly be any worse OIL on the
frontier than they had been in the humdrufn,
sleepy town OF their nativity.
With more or less difficulty the motley cara
van pursued its rough way westward until,
after crossing the Mississippi River, something
of contention arose to what particular
point it should make for.
Seeing that it was unlikely that any agree
mont would be reached, and that sooner or later
the train would be dissolved, James kainsiord'
one of the most influential members OF Inc
party, set the initiative by declaring that he
intended to try his fortunes in Kansas.
Four other men agreed to follow Rainsiord
thither, and accordingly the same day they
babe farewell TO their friends and resumed their
journey. The rest of the caravan on the ioi-
lowing day dispersed in various directions as
their inclinations prompted.
A few weeks later Rainsford and his party
located in the small but lively settlement OF
Blutfrille. ou the Arkansas River, in the State
of Kansas
Within short time boomers came along and
gave Blufvlle material lift. considerable
number Of emigrants from the East poured In
and became residents of the place. Stores and
dwellings were rapidly built, new streets laid
out, and other improvements were accom-
plished.
Rainsford found steady employment as car
penter. His daughter, Tessie, was made the
teacher of the first school established there.
Tessie was beautiful, beryleyed miss of is,
with no feeble will, and fine education, con-
sideriug her limited advantages.
As time passed on James Rainsford did well.
He owned his house, located on the southern
outskirts OF the town, and two lots besides,
not to mention a small uest-egg in the way of
balance in the bank.
But one night Rainsford's house was sur
rounded by marauding band of Osages. Eff
feeling an entrance, they looted the house
hold of its modest vaiuables. murdered Rains
ford, his invalid wife. their Willie, II years
old, and carried Tessie off captive.
Strange TO say no other persons or houses in
the town were attacked that night, and
when on the following morning the massa-
ere was discovered, the Indians had made good
their escape into the Indian Territory. At
about noon on the day succeeding the murder
OF the Rainsfords, the Osages, with their fair
captive, reached their main village, at that
time situated in a sparse copse OF cottonwoods
on the western bank of the Red Fork. A
brawny savage assisted Tessie to dismount
from the pony which he had held her in
front of him during the latter part of the
tourney.
Just then Old Thunder, Chief of the tribe.
emerged from tepee A sullen yet half-de
lighted smile orerspread his features as his
gaze fell upon Tessie.
Good" he grunted. "Wolf Eater has done
well. The white maiden is beautiful. Wolf
Eater shall have the reward promised"
Wolf Eater was nephew Of Old Thunder
and heir presumptiTe, SO to speak, TO the chief
tainship Of the Osages. Old Thunder years
before had won his spurs as a warrior but his
Fighting days were over. On the day, a week
previously, when he had buried his squaw, he
had reconciied himself to her demise by pub
liciy proclaiming that his next wife should be
q white woman.
The old reprobate had directed Wolf Eater
20 set forth with $50 braves and sconr the
surrounding country for white woman, he
being too afflicted with rheumatism and Sc
nifty to &c upon the undertaking himself.
Comprehending the meaning of Old Thur
oer's words. Tessie Rainsford uttered shrek
of despair and fell to the ground in a faint.
Bring her 10 my lodge, growled Old Thun-
Ger. She'll soon get health again."
When Tessie came to her senses the Chief
was sitting within few feet of her. smoking
long-stemmed pipe, his blazing black eyes
yiveted upon her.
What name-you?"
Tessie looked with contempt at the loathsome
being who squatted before her, aud made no
answer.
What name2 Old Thunder's squaw. He!
baT! haughi Mads Ugh !"
She remained silent, turning away her eyes
with shudder.
Il call you No Speak ehf NO Speak -
Old Ihundeps white squaw. Ne make No
Speak happy. big heap happy"
Troubled almost TO madness, Tessie held her
bands over her eyes, as If TO shut out the grew
some vision OF the torturing savage. Finally
Old Thunder scuffied out of the wigwam leav-
ing guard on duty at the entrance.
Thoughts of eSe2uc chased EACH nsh nr rou
TessIes mind, bat what chance was there for
her-a weak, helpless woman? None-none!
She grew numb with fear and apprehension.
a cold perspiraticn broke out on her forehead
Was II death stealing over herr Oh, blessed
death.
A cornmotion was going on outside the lodge
Old Thunder was giving some orders in his
native tongue. She heard sounds as of drum.
Then darkness and seuselessness again. She
had swooned.
Dusk had como when Tessie recovered con-
seriousness. An old man stood beside her
chahng her hands. little distance of stood
Old Thunder, his face hideously streaked with
red and blue paint, helmet of gaudy feathers
stuck on his head. Brass bracelets and other
trinkets ratified on his arms He was dressed
IN his best for the marriage ceremony. Outside
through an aperture, Tessie could see bright
hres burning around which stalked a number
OF dGsky forms.
was led o3t into the air, supported by two
Indians. Then her little strength failed her
She sank Imply 10 the ground calling for
water. cup of the cooling beverage was
placed TO her lips. a few swallows of II mar
TALLY revived her The redskins formed a
circle around the spot where she sat. Half
dozen bear-skin rugs were placed under her for
comforts sake
Old Thunder stood by her side. The redi.
cine man who had rubbed her hands made
some mysterious passes over her head and then
ever Old Thunder's, mumbiing something in
coherent the while.
This mummery being concluded, the Chief
stopped beside her, uttered few words ia his
own language and placed his arm about her
linen drums were beaten weird incaptations
sung aud diabolical dance perpetrated each
dancer provided with two flaming firgbrands
Following this came the wedding feast-cor
sisting OF coarse corn bread, halfcooked yeni
son and fruits.
Jessie Rainsford was the bride Of Old Thun
der.
Twenty-Five years later-years OF absolute
misery and mute despair 20 Tessie Rainsford.
Many times since that wretched night when
she was made Old Thunder's wife have the
tsases changed their place of abode; but never
fias she spoken syllable TO that aged aud
ridiculous iyrant, thus maintaining tho ap-
preparedness OF the appellaton be had given
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