The Monticellonian., 1895-11-15
LEGEND OF INDIAN HILL
BY JESSIE ii. TREsHArI.

in the state of West Virginia than that through which flows the little stream known as Indian river. It's valley is green and fertile, broadening as the stream approaches its outlet, the mighty Ohio, and hemmed in by chains of rugged hills.
 The stream derives It's name from the fact that, prior to the time of the first white settlers, this valley was favor ite hunting ground of many Indian tribes of the Ohio valley Traces of their occupancy still remain The farmer yet uptarns the ashes of their campires and their implements of war with his plowshare And, on a hill overlooking the river not far from it's mouth, are the graves of many of the race.
 Most of the traditions have long since been forgotten, but one concerning this spot is still preserved. Once in the early days of the white settlement, a large party of Indians came into the valley to hunt, and one night encamped on Indian hill. That night a band of unprincipled white men fell upon their unguarded camp, and massacred the entire party Not one escaped to tell the story of the murder The chief, a warrior, who had always shown great friendship for the whites, was taken mortally wounded before the leader of the attacking party. With the dignity of his race, he raised his head, and looked with seorn into the faces of his eaptors. Then with his last breath, he invoked a curse upon each of them-a death by violence.
 So goes the legend. There remains to prove it's truth the hill, whose stony soil stubbornly refuses to yield any crop but desolate patches of broomsedge and few stunted cedar shrubs-the effect of the curse, the country people say. The same authorities tell Us that there on stormy nights the old chief may be seen walking among the graves of his warriors. And he who sees the ghostiy sentinel is sure soen to meet with some misfortune.
 The owner of the soil of this historic spot was wealthy farmer named Ford. His title deeds covered many acres of fertile valley and valuable forest land.
 
 dearer to him than field and woodland his daughter Winnie.
 Winnie was pretty and rather spoiled young woman of eighteen. Since the death of her mother, few years before, she had been practically her own mistress, for her father never crossed her will either concerning her own affairs or those of the household. It is not strange, therefore, that Miss Winnie was somewhat proud and will ful. Many u country youth sadly real ized this, and from distance admired the heiress of the Ford acres.
 All but one; that one was Bobb Carr, the only son of a neighboring farmer, whose land joined Mr Ford's, and almost equaled 1t in extent Bob was Il tall and awkward youth of twenty one, with an incipient mustaehe and plenty of eoneeit. He was desperately in love with Winnie. The frequent snubbings he received did not quench his ardor in the least Besides, Bob was encouraged by the knowledge that Mr, Ford favored his suit. For the farmer, having in mind the consolida- tion of the two largest farms in the valley, really considered Bob a good match for his daughter.
 See here,n he said to her one day. ''If that young Carr comes here to see you, l want you to treat him we'll Do you hear?" "Yes," replied Winnie shortly, with toss of her head indica- ting that she would consult her own in. elinations.
 So Bob called at the farmhouse to be received by the farmer with the utmost cordiality and by his daughter with the most freezing coldness. But, confident of his ultimate success, he kept up his unwelcome attentions.
 That winter, the little school in the valley was taught by a young man named Ridley MeKendriel1. Ridley was an ambitious young fellow, striving to pay his way through college, after the fashion of so many successful men, by teaching As MT. Fords house was nearest the school, Ridley boarded there.
 It was not long before he and Winnie became quite well acquainted. They
 
 were similar, and spent many of the long winter evenings reading and dis cussing some favorite novel or poem. Mr Ford would sit by, and watch them sharply through his glasses. Often 1t occurred to him that it was not safe to allow this handsome young man to be with his daughter so much. But, he reassured himself, no harm could possi- bly, come of it, so long as he was pres ent, and their conversation did not wan der from the subject of books
 An Mr. Ford, you had forgotten that look may sometimes convey a meaning deeper than words, and that the young man could read the storied heros words with such feeling and in such a tone that they became his own. Bob, who often dropped In of an even ing, realizing something of this as he sat and listened, wished that he ap- preciated poetry, and that that con- founded girl would be as agreeable to him as to the schoolmaster
 Mir. Ford was not entirely blind, and at last spoke to Winnie, intending to reprimand her severely:
 Seems to me you and the school master are getting to be pretty good friends over your reading?"
 We are" said Winnie, raising such an innocent face to her fathers gaze that he felt entirely disarmed.
 Well, it's all right, so long as it don't go any further. He's q fine fel- low, and l like him, but he's poor. l