Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-03-25
QUEEN "CUT FINGER"

Many years ago. in part of Penn
sylvania called the Wyoming Val
ley, there dwelt family by the
name OF Slocum.
In this family was darling baby
girl, the youngest child whose name
was Fanny She was only three or
four years old and yet she was big
enough to play in the sunshine out of
doors and TO make sweet sunshine IN
the hearts of all who knew her.
In those days the hunting Indians
dwelt near by and. according to their
won't made raids on the white men.
But rs We must be just TO every liv-
ing thing, let US remember in the be-
ginning OF this stor; that the cruel
savage has been taught TO do these
desperate deeds by some unkindncss.
and often a like cruelty on the part OF
the white men.
Many of us do not remember TO do
always unto others as we would have
them do TO us and so commit wrong
that leads another into sin. Thus
one day when Fanny's father and
brothers were toiling in the field and
planting seed for bread. having done
no harm TO anyone and thinking not
OF any TO themselves. they were start
led by the war whoop of the red
men. " and raised their eyes in time to
see them springing from the thicket
and. leveling their guns. begin to
shoot
Resistance was all in vain, and in
few short moments this good man and
his sons were lying still in death
The wild creatures then rushed on
toward the house, meaning not to
touch the women, but only to take
what food or other things they might
see and fancy. When, 10! their hun
CRY eyes caught on the precious little
one, who was rocking in the sunshine
and lisping to her doll baby song.
Even savages know what is tender
pure, and good and so they stopped
quite still to admire and listen. Then
they softly stole up TO the infant child.
whose GOLDEN hair was shining in the
sun, while her chubby hand was
patting out the little songful words:
Hus 90 by my babe,
Now 90 go to seep;
An when 90 wake up, by and by,
100 little eyes IL peep.
The little one knew no harm. but
felt all safe near her mothers singing
voice. who was in the doorway spin
ming with the wheel Nor did she sec
II being close beside her till a mon
strous shadow lay upon the ground.
She looked up to SEQ where it could
come from, and one OF the great dark
creatures was STOPPING down to touch,
or, may be- TO caress her head.
The poor little thing was filled with
fright and screamed aloud, Mammal
But it was all too late She was
caught up gently in the savage arms
and carried swiftly out Of reach, while
tina poor mother screamed for help
and cried out piteously for her child;
20, bring back my child. my
child!7
But they only answered as they
fed:
I'VE must have this little one to
take the place of one we've lost. We
will be good to her SO go home wo-
man. or you may get hurt"
And when she screamed once more
in answer to the baby's wall and then
fell fainting on the ground their hearts
seemed touched little. as they an
swered once again:
BE quiet pale-iaced woman, for
we will be good to her."
The mother was kindly cared for by
passing friend, and recovered but to
find that she was doubly stricken; that
death had come into her home and
taken husband and two sons, and that
her baby was-she knew not wherel
And. oh" she prayed most fervent-
ly, my Heavenly Father let me die,
My heart is breaking and | cannot
live. ] beg of Thee 10 let me come,
But the gracious Father in His tender
way, whispered softly NAY, for thou
hast yet one other sta. BE patient
still, and will show the way'n And
then she called to mind in penitence u
noble boy who was away and lifting
up her voice she thanked her God
and promised that she would try to
live for him.
'hN'S S'hS bSrth sfiAl utT llte
while trusting that the two together
might perchance recover the little
lamb. whom she ever thought OF as
among the ravenous wo,ves. And vet
as there is some good in even the most
painful happenings. she found through
all her sad suspense a ray OF comfort
in the Indians parting words: We
will be good to her" Months and
years rolled on and strange was the
little ones life and full of mystery.
But the red men proved so gentle and
so kind that her baby heart was healed
and she was taught to love them;
whilst they in turn just worshipe herd.
All they had was at her service.
Each one of the tribe, from gray
haired chief to young papoose bowed
down TO do her homage.
And thus she grew up in wigwam
amid these dusky forms being taught
alone 10 rule and not to work, till
finally she was a queen, and welded
TO an Indian chief-a great strong
brave who loved her well and treated
her most kindly in his own peculiar
way.
In the meantime, mother brother.
friends and relatives had all been