Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-06-10

tAA''4' ~ So an llOll
place to-day and leave you
and the children alone" said Farmer
Slower, of he disposed of his powder
flask and took down his rifle from the
side of the kitchen wall.
"Oh! never mind us, daddy" said
Abigail, cheerfully. "Of course it will
be lonesome with you and mother both
gone, but We'll be safe enough Don't
worry ore bit abeut us"
Il am not go sure about 1t being
safe." replied her father. "Ihe In
dians are none too friendly nowadays,
and they are getting more restless
each week. Even old Nakomis, who
has always been on good terms with
the settlers, avoided me day or two
ago when I went across the clearing,
and I'm afraid it all means trouble
to the whites"
But, father" went on Abigail, "Mr.
Grey and all the other neighbors have
been so kind when you needed help
that you can't stay away to-day when
they are to finish putting up the house
with this days work. You know I'm
VII PiNt's Spoe ttlIiS VIII OuE VGl
neiShbors. Why" she added, laugh
ingly, Il can even talk little In
DIAM.
Not enough to save you, If there
was an uprising, I fear" answered the
father. However, it is a comfort to
me that you can handle your gun.
And in case anything happens, fire It
fpr1r H.
1t, as the air is very clear, and the
distance so short, through the woods.
That is one good thing about our set
tlement," he added, "the houses are not
far apart and we are a protection to
one another, if trouble arises"
"Now, daddy" laughed Abigail, "stop
looking for trouble. have so much
to do to-day. You will be home before
I'm half ready for you, and now, sir"
she said, looking at him narrowly,
''wh9t do YOU suppose we are going to
have for supper tonight? I'll give you
one guess. You can't? Then I'll tell
Mushw she cried with a merry peal of
laughter. You just forget that we
have had that treat every evening for
the past seven months, and imagine We
are back East, having all kinds of good
things"
-"Good-bye, daughter, don't let the
children go outside and play" admon-
ished the father his heart filled with
forebodings, as he left his log cabin
and started toward the unfinished home
of his neighbor, quarter of mile
distant through the forest.
Jonathan Slower, in company with
a small party of Fasteners, their wives
and children, had come into the will
derness of Michigan seven months be-
fore this, in the hope of founding
homes in what was then the furthest
point of the known West. After months
of hardship and toll the last house was
to be finished on this day, and on the
morrow corn was to be planted in the
small patches which these brave men
had been able to clear.
"Now, children" said the older sister,
after watching the father well out Of
sight, 'if you see an Indian coming to-
day, 1 want you both to hide as fast
as your feet will take you. If 1 see
them first" she went on, with her
arms about the small brother, "I'll rap
on the fireplace three times, and then
you are to get out of sight as soon
rs possible. Don't go out of doors
once, for we must stay close together
all day." And with few more in
structions. she was soon about hcr
work, trying to forget the dangers Of
hostile Indians.
The day wore on, ard when the sun
indicated that the time was drawing
on for the father to return, Abigail
got out the kettles, hung them on the
crane and put on the water to heat for
the mush. The appearance of that
article on the table usually called forth
some laughing remark from the East
ern- bred girl, who was making brave
effort to be happy in wilderness.
Just as the water commenced to bub-
BILE, three sharp blows were struck
upon the hearth and at the same in
stant the little frightened forms
dropped into the hole under the floor,
which was reserved for times of such
peril, and the loose plank was quietly
put into place. The next moment n
tall Indian, whose quick eye only saw