Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-03-21

This was evidently no ordinary party Of
immigrants, but rather some nomad peo.
pie who had been compelled from stress
Of circumstances to seek themselves q
new country. There rose through the
clear air a confused clattering and rum
bling from this great mass Of humanity,
with the creaking Of wheels and the
neighing horses. Loud as it was. it was
not sufficient TO rouse the two tired
wayfarers above them.
At the head Of the column there rode
q score or more Of grave. iron faced
men, clad in somber, homespun gar
ments and armed with rifles On reach
ing the base Of the bluff they halted and
held short council among themselves.
The wells arc to the right. my broth
ers." said one, hard Tipped, clean
shavsn man with grizzly hair.
ITO the right OF the Sierra Blanco, SO
we shall reach the Rio Grande." said
another.
Fear not for waterr' cried q third.
HE who could draw it from the rocks
will not now abandon his own chosen
people"
"Amen, amenp responded the whole
party. They were about to resume their
journey when one of the youngest and
keenest eyed uttered an exclamation and
pointed up at the rugged orag above
them. From its summit there huttered
little wisp of pink, showing up hard
and bright against the gray rocks be-
hind. At the sight there was general
refining up Of horses and unslinging of
guns, while fresh horsemen came gal
Looping up to re-enforce the vanguard.
The word redskins" was on every lip.
''There can't be any number of Injuns
here" said the elderly man, who ap-
peared to be in command. "We have
passed tho Pawnees, and there are no
other tribes until we cross the great
mountains.
"Shall go forward and see, Brother
Stangerson?' asked one of the band.
"And I?'' "And I?'' cried dozen
voices.
''Leave your horses below, and we
will wait you here" the elder answer
ed. In moment the young fellows had
dismounted, fastened their horses and
were ascending the precipitous slope
which led up to the object which had
excited their curiosity. They advanced
rapidly and noiselessly, with the conf
dence and dexterity of practiced sconts.
The watchers from the plain below could
see them fit from rock to rock until
their figures stood out against the sky
line. The young man who had first
given the alarm was leading them. Sud-
denly his followers saw him throw up
his hands, as though overcome with as
tonishment, and on joining him they
were affected in the same way by the
sight which met their eyes.
On the little plateau which crowned
the barren hill there stood single giant
bowlder, and against this bowlder there
lay tall man, long bearded and hard
featured, but of an excessive thinness.
His placid face and regular breathing
showed that he was fast asleep. Beside
him lay little child, with her round
white arms encircling his brown, sinewy
neck and her golden haired head resting
upon the breast Of his velveteen tunic.
Her rosy lips were parted, showing the
regular line of snow white teeth within,
and playful smile played over her in
fantile features. Her plump little white
legs, terminating in white socks and neat
shoes, with shining buckles, offered 8
strange contrast to the long, shriveled
members of her companion. On the
ledge of rock above this strange couple
there stood three solemn buzzards, who
at the sight Of the newcomers uttered
raucous screams Of disappointment and
tapped sullenly away.
The cries of the foul birds awoke the
two sleepers, who stared about them in
bewilderment The man staggered to his
feet and looked down upon the plain
which had been so desolate when sleep
had overtaken him and which was now
traversed by this enormous body of men
and of beasts. His face assumed an ex-
preston of incredulity as he gazed, and
he passed his bony hand over his eyes.
''This is what they call delirium,
guess, he muttered. The child stood
beside him, holding on to the skirt Of
his coat, and said nothing. but looked
all around her with the wondering,
questioning gaze Of childhood.
The rescuing party were speedily able
to convince the two castaways that theil
appearance was no delusion. One o.
them seized the little girl and hoistot
her upon his shoulder, while two other
supported her gaunt companion and as
sisted him toward the wagons.
"My name is John Ferrier," thu
wanderer explained. "Me and that lit
tie un are all that's left O. 81 people
The rest is all dead O. thirst and hunge
away down in the south.
sis she your child?" asked some one
81 guess she is nowr' the other crie'
defiantly; "she's mine cause | save'
her. No men will take her away from
me. She's Lucy Ferrier from this da.
on. Who are you, thought" he Col!
tinusd. glanoing with curiosity at hi
stalwart. sunburned resouers. 'Ther
seems to be powerful lot O. ye.
Nigh upon 10, 0O0 =, said one OF tn
young men. 1--WE are the persecute'
children Of God the chosen Of the ange
Merona."
II never heard tell OF him. !" sal
the wanderer. ''He appears to hav
chosen fair crowd o. ye, !"
"Do not jest at that which is sacred,
said the other sternly "We are of thos
who believe In those sacred writing
drawn in Egyptian letters on plates 9
beaten gold. which were handed ant
the holy Joseph Smith at Palmyra. W
have come from Nauvoo, in the state
Illinois, where we had founded our TEN
Pile. We have come TO seek refug
from the violent man and from this goc