The record-union., 1893-05-15
THE Story OF pocAHoNrAs.

The brief but glorious life of Pocahon-
tas is calculated to produce thrill of ad-
inlration and to reflect the highest honor
on her name
The most memorable event of her life
is thus recorded. After long consulta-
ton among the Indians the fate of Cap
tam Smith, who was the leader of the
first colony in Virginia, was decided. The
conclave resumed their silent gravity
two huge stones were placed near The
waters edge, Smith was lashed to them
ana his head was laid down as prepara-
ton for beating out his brains with war
clubs.
Powhattan raised the fatal instrument
and the savage multitude with their
Dlood-staiued weapons stood near the
chief lently waiting the prisoners last
moment.
But Smith was not destined thus to
perish. Pocahontas, the beloved daugh-
ter of the chief, rushed forward, fell upon
her knees and with tears and entreaties
prayed that the victim might be spared.
The royal savage rejected her suit and
commanded her to leave Smith to his
tate. Grown frantic at the failure of her
supplications, Pocahontas threw her
arms about Smith and laid her head ol
his, her raven hair falling around his
neck and shoulders, declaring she would
perish with him or save him.
The Indians gasped for breath, fearing
that Powhattan would slay his child for
taking such deep interest in the fate of
one whom he considered. his deadliest
foe. But human nature is the same
everywhere. The war club dropped
from the monarch's hand; his brow re-
laxed; his heart softened, and As he
raised his brave daughter TO his bosom
and kissed her forehead he reversed his
decree and directed Smith to be set at
liberty.
Whether the regard of this glorious
girl for Smith ever reached the feeling of
love is not known. II ask nothing of
Captain Smith," said she in an interview
she atterward had with him, lin recon-
pense for what have done but the boon
of living in his memory"
THE NAME OF PoCAHoNTAs
Has descended to posterity as the great
benefactress, the genius of the first sue
cessful colony planted within the limits
of the United States, who, when famine
ragged or conspiracy nenaced with swift
destruction, ever interposed her benign
and gentle influence TO supply their
wants and ward off their danger. From
all that history and tradition have pre-
served as well as from the testimonials
of the object of her kindness and protec-
ton, from the particulars of her life that
have come down to us, and from every
authentic memorial now extant, she ap-
pears to have been both in mind and per-
son one of the choicest models the hand
of nature ever formed.
With the purest simplicity she united
the kindest heart, and to the timidity OF a
spotless virgin she joined a sagacity of
mind, a tirmness of spirit and an
adventurous daring, which, more than
once, when the existence of the colony
was at stake, prompted her to traverse
the midnight forest alone and brave the
indignation of her kindred TO give advice
and warning.
lnseparably interviewer as is the name
of POcahontas with the very existence of
the first permanent religious community
OF this great confederation, and clothed as
she is with every attribute to call forth
our Yeneration and gratitude, she most
undoubtedly deserves the dignity of a
historical character. Though
A SIMPLE INDIAN MAID
Her life and actions are closely associated
with events, which, in their consequences,
have assumed magnitude that fully en-
titles her to be placed among those who
exercised influence in the destinies of
States and the course of human events.
She was, therefore, deemed a fit subject
Tor national picture, painted by order of
Congress, to commemorate the history
and actions of our ancestors.
But she had another claim, not less
venerable and touching, to the remem-
| brance of posterity. She stood foremost
in the train OF those wandering children
of the forest, who have at times-few, in
| deed, and far between-been Snatched
from the fangs of a barbarous idolatry.
| She, therefore, appeals to our patriotic
sympathies, and is associated with the
political destinies OF the United States.