Connecticut western news., 1897-03-25

But now and ever--mine lin haste"
 London Tit Bits.
 CULVER AVENGED.
 The winters trade was over, and nearly all the Indians had left the vii cinity of our little trading post on the Missouri to pass the summer back on the prairie and along the foothills of the mountains We had shipped all our furs and robes on the last down steamer, and now there was absolutely nothing for us to do but kill time as best we could until another season g trade should begin. Situated as we were some 300 miles from the nearest town, our post was not very lively place in summer, and our only neighbor was saloon man who had built g place 50 yards above us. But with him we had little to do. He was a surly, unkempt fellow, and there were generally hanging about his place 8 set of men who came and went mysteriously, whom we more than suspected were members of a gang of horse thieves and road agents that used to ply their trade along the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers
 My partner had gone east with our shipment of furs to dispose of them and order fresh stock of goods, and I was alone except for the company of good father. broad and liberal minded priest, whom Ihad persuaded to stay, with me until my partner should re-. turn. The bishop of the Saskatchewan had sent him south the preceding year to minister to 8 part of his flock, the plains Crees. who were in our vicinity.
 One drowsy afternoon in June the father and sat out in the shade of the ovefhanging roof smoking and flaming ourselves, for it was 8 hot day. In the saloon just above us poker game was going on, revealed to outsiders by the subdued hum of voices and the ceaseless rattle of chips. As I said, most of the Indians had gone out on the summers hunt, but two or three families were still with us, and presently young man named Culver came along with his wife ful shade. During many years passed with the Indians on the plains, think this was the handsomest couple I ever saw. The woman, much lighter colored than many Spanish woman, had a sin gularly graceful figure, and her features were well nigh faultless. Her eyes were exceptionally large and brilliant, full of expression, and were shaded by long, sweeping lashes. Her hair, neatly braid ed, hung in two massive strands almost to the ground. Culver would have served an artist for a model of Apollo. What liked best about him was the broad, high brow and square cut chin, which even in savage denotes keen intelli- gence united with force of character.
 This couple, Culver and his wife, Pai-o-tah, had been married little more than year. They were as yet as deeply in love with each other as ever. On the hunt or in the camp, working or resting, they were inseparable. Culver for his beautiful wife. All the robes he secured. all the beaver and otter he caught, were traded for fine blankets, soft and bright colored dresses, and for jewelry with which to adorn Pai-o- tah He wanted nothing for himself except a little tobacco and few cartridges for his rife. The couple sat with us half an hour or more talking with the father about affairs in their own far northern home.
 Riel, he who later created the Cana dian rebellion, had lately been among the Indians urging them to return home and wrest their ancestral lands from the relocated usurpers, and Culver was anxious to get the fathers opinion of the matter. The good man plainly told him that it was visionary scheme and could not possibly succeed. He explained that the Indians not only would have to | fight the Canadians, but that if neces. sary ships would bring thousands of sol diers from across the salt water, ten white men for every Indian and hal breed in the northwest. All this talk o1 | war had little interest for Pai-o-tah, and finally she slipped her hand in Quiver's and coaxed him to go home.
 Happy, innocent children, "said the father, as we watched them go up the trail hand in hand. "Not care or 6 sorrow to mar their daily livesi''
 | As they were passing the saloon a big rufian stepped out of the doorway, aimed his revolver at them and, calling out to some one within, Bill, see me drop that d-d Injun," fired. Witt a cry of pain poor Culver fell to the ground, Pai-o-tah dropped her robe ant the man who fired the shot turned ant went back into the saloon.
 The father and hastened over to thu prostrate Indian. He was still conscious but his face had assumed a yellowisf hue, and he said faintly: ''I am shot il the back. Have pity and carry me to my lodge" By this time one or two Indian had come over from the camp near by Il and together we gently lifted tht wounded man, and, carrying him home carefully, laid him on his couch. Sur, enough. the bullet had entered his bacl on the left side and torn it's way through the kidneys. There was no hope for him
 Leaving the father to attend the poo fellow and give him and the heart
 broken Pai-o-tah such consolation a
 was in his power, went back to th, post and wrote a note to the command
 ing officer of troop of United State
 cavalry ca&ped some six miles above us telliug him of the cold blooded murde
 which had been committed and asking
 him to arrest the murderer. Hastil, sealing the message, slipped quietly around to the Indian camp and gave i to young man who happened to have his horse staked near by, charging hin to go with all haste and deliver the not, to the captain When I returned to th' lodge I found Culver was sinking rap idly. He was suffering intensely, bu