The Forrest City times., 1892-04-08
STAR-EYES.

lndidns Oe1indcnson. ana Known to us as the West Branch Of the Susquehan- na was the last foothold in Pennsyl- vania east of the Allegheny moun- tains that the Indians abandoned.
 Both Fleet-Foot and his wife Minpa. waqua Sparkling Water) were re- markedly fine types of the Indian of those days but they had a little pa- poose that was wonder and delight to all the whites in the sparse settle. ments. Even the fondest mothers ad |. mitted that he was just the sweetest little thing they ever saw-with the exception of their own children. of course. He had great big. laughing hazel eyes half-rosy cheeks nose that sculptor would have adored and the cunningest little mouth. He was very appropriately named Star Eyes.
 Little Star-Eyes was about 2 years old when the tribe migrated to the new location far up the river Angry threats had been made against Fleet Foot because of his refusal to join them. but he was happy and content ed. and MinDawaqua dreaded the thought of leaving her white friends.
 One day, shortly after the migra- uon Fleet-Foot was hunting in the mountains Minnawaqua left her wigwam. solid structure of logs which the whites had helped to build to go to spring for water She had left Star-Eyes playing on the floor but whom she returned in few min utes the child had disappeared. She hastily looked about called him. and then hurried out of the house to renew the search.
 She had hardly passed the door when she stopped turned pale and pressed her hands to her heart. Her keen native instinct detected strange moccasin tracks on the ground They indicated the presence of four individ. uals Her mind comprehended it all as she sunk fainting 10 the ground Star Eyes had been kidnapped by his kindred in revenge for Fleet Foots re. fusal to join them that was evident.
 There was great commotion among the settlers when they heard Of the dastardly act. Many of them were eager for immediate pursuit of the captors but Fleet Foot dissuaded them by saying that the Indian would surely kill the papoose if they found that they were followed. and besides there would be danger of ambush by a large party of Indians
 About ten days after this episode just before daylight in the morning IiAat Foot denly awakened by the voice of Star Eyes at the door crying bitterly. In trice the child was in the arms of his overjoyed parents, but they were surprised to find him tremblingly feel ing their faces with his hands. What was the matter? He always spoke in English.
 Star Eyes tant see.
 True enough he was totally blind. although the big, lustrous eyes looked just as natural as on the day he was abducted. Fleet-Foot understood it all The tribe had wreaked their vengeance by blinding the innocent child, and had then stealthiiy returned him.
  when they heard of it. Some of them were eager for an expedition against the Indians but cooler counsels pre- vailed.
 Among the settlers were Quaker family from Philadelphia, who had taken a special interest in Fleet-Foot little family Part of the Quaker family. including the mother were about to make a journey to the city to visit their friends. and it was sug- gested that Minnawaqua and her blind child should accompany them in order that the latter's eyes might be ex- amined by an oculist and treated if there was any prospect Of restoring the sight
 It was tedious journey in those days. on horseback all the way to Harrisburg and thence by primitive stage coach; but it was accomplished, and the little blind papoose was taken to an eminent oculist Examination showed that the eyes had been blinded by holding close to them, with the lids opened. very hot object prob ably either a red-hot iron or super heated stone. It was not the first case known of such Indian atrocity.
 The ocuist did his best to repair the vision. but all he could accomplish was to restore just sufficient sight for the child to distinguish between light and shade. He could distinguish per sons only by their voices.
 Ten years passed. and the liue of settlement reached farther up the valley. The kind Quaker family moved dozen.miles above to the mouth of Pine creek. and Fleet-FooI with three children in addition to the nearly blind boy. determined to move westward with them. 1t was difficult for the Indian. even with the help Of Minnawaqua in basket making. to earn living for his little family. There were white hunters in the woods now and game was getting comparatively scarce Even after the removal to Pine creek the Indian was sorely pressed by poverty and he soon determined though with great reluctance. to join his tribe at the headwaters of the river nearly forty miles away.
 It was Q sad parting Minnawaqua with all the stoicism of her race. could not repress her grief and tears trick led from the beautiful but nearly siehtless orbs of StarEyes now a handsomely framed youth of A yearA And there were moist eyes, too in the