Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-05-12

% NY tho TO lowi ing
~ spring planted it
Ia coru. 4 more conlented, happy
couple could not be found. Morgan's
wife was a woman Of education, nm or.
dent lover Of nature, Often after her
housework was done, she would take
The baby in her arms aud retire into
the depths of tho forest that surround
cd their cabin, where, seated on n log
In the shade OF some broad'spreading
tree, while the baby slept upon her
lap, she would engage in sewing, max
ing or repairing garments for the fam
lily, while she enjoyed the profound
solitude that reigued about her.
For nearly three years this happy
pair had passed their lives nn,nter'
ruptcdly, in the exclusive enjoyment
OF each Others society, until finally
this condition Of things was brought
abruptly to close. 1t came one after.
noon in tho month.o August, 1882, as
the sun was declining behind the tree.
tops. A grateful breeze had sprung
up after the oppressive heat of the
day, so intense that Morgan did not
venture on his work again that after.
noon. He had seated himself on the
doorstep OF his cabin, with his infant
on his knee; while his young aud
happy wife was busily engaged in pre-
pairing the evening meal. That after
noou Morgan had accidentally found
bundle OF letters which lie had
finished reading to his wife, just be.
fore he took his seat in the doorway.
1t was q correspondence in which they
had acknowledged IN early AMI ardent
attachment for each other, and the
perusal left evident traces OF joy on
the counteuances OF both. The in.
FAINT, too. seemed to paetake of lis
parents feelings, by its cherub smiles,
its playful humor aud infantile
caresses.
While thus agreeabIy employed, the
report Of q rifle was heard, then an
other aud another followed in quick
succession. Morgan sprang to his
feet, his wife ran to the door, as they
simultaneously exclaimed "Indians!"
The door was immediately barred, and
the next moment all their fears were
realized. There was bold and
spirited attack from II small party OF
Indians. The cabin conld not be long
successfully defended, and the time
was precious.
Morgan, cool, brave and prompt,
soon decided. Apuncheon was raised,
and while Morgan was in the act OF
concealing his wife under the floor
mothers feeling overcame her. She
arose aud seized her infant, but was
told that it's cries would betray her
place of conceament. She hesitated,
gazing silently on it. A momentary
struggle between affection and duty
took place. She pressed her child to
her a9itated bosom again and again
and kissed it with impnssioned tender.
ness. The infant, alarmed at the pro-
fusion of tears that fell on its cheek,
looked up into its mothers face threw
its little arms around her neck and
wept aloud. Sin the name of Heaven,
Eliza. release the child, or we shall be
lost!' said the distracted husband, in
a soft, i:1ploring voice, as he forced
the infaAt from the arms of his wife.
He hastily replaced the puncheon,
took up his gun, knife and Ratchet,
ran up the ladder that led to the gar
ret, and drew the ladder after him.
In moment the door WAS burst open
by the sayases. BY this time Nor
gan had secured his child in a bag
and dashed it to his back; then, throw
ing off some clapboards from the roof
of the cabin, he resolutely leaped to
tho ground. He was instantly as
saulted by two indians. As the first
approached he knocked him down with
the butt Of his gun. The other adj
vanced with uplifted tomahawk. Nor.
gan let fall his gun and closed in.
The savage made blow, missed his
aim, but severed the cord That bound
the infant to his back, and it fell. The
contest over the child now became
warm and fierce and was carried OH
with knives ouly. The combatants
thrust and plunged their deadly in
struments into each other with des-
perate fury. The robust and athletic
Morgan at length got the ascendency.
Both were badly cut and bled freely,
but the stabs Of the white man were
better aimed and deeper. The Indian
now became frantic with rage and dis.
appointment. His teeth were clenched,
the veins in his neck swollen, his eyes |
seemed to emit sparks of fire as he
grasped Morgan by the hair, elevated
himself on tip-toe and raised his
bloody knife. 1t descended with des-
perate intent, but Morgan, watchful
IS he WAS brave, took advantage of
The moment, made quick and VIC.
ent thrust at the side of the Indian,
The blood gushed out, the savage gave
feeble groan, and sank to the earth,
Morgan hastily took up his child and
gun and hurried of.
The Indians in the house, busily en-.
gagged in drinking and pluudering,
were not apprised of the contest in
the yard until the one that had been
knocked down gave signs OF return
ing life and called them to tho scene
Of action. Morgan was discovered,
mediately pursued, and a dog put
on his trail. He rushed on with the
speed Of a hunted stag ard soon out
stripped the Indians. but the dog kept |
in close pursuit. Finding it impossi-
BILE either to outrun or to elude the
cunning animal. trained to hunts Of
this kind, he halted, waited until it
came within few yards of him, fired
aud brought it down, reloaded his
gun aud again pushed forward.
Bryant's station was not far off;
firing was heard; he stopped for a
moment and again advanced. Fires
could now be distinctly seen, extend
ing for some distance Oh both sides
of Elkhorn Creek. The station was
iu view; lighted arrows fast desce nded |