Year: 1866

by Francis AdeIDcrt Corey. e


was only lad of eight when the Incl.
dent which am about to relate happened
yet it produced so strong an impression
upon my mind at the time, that ] still re-
member everything perfectly, even to the
most minute detail


My father had removed to The West q
few months before, where he had construct.
ed quite comfortable Lighthouse, aud had
cleared considerable land. There were only
three of us--father, sister Jennie, and my,
self. Jennie was our house'keeper, but be
sides her work she found time to teach me
to read and write little, generally spend
ing an hour with me every day. She was
o dear, faithful girl; and used to
think it ever grew up TO be man would
marry Just such Q woman as she was


There were some Indians remaining in
the neghborhood, but as they never mo-
Tested us, We ceased to think Of them with
fear at last and father used often go away
sometimes to be gone all night, leaving
Jennie and | alone. At such times we
used to fasten up the house as soon as il
began to grow dark, and keep the rife in
the corner, where We might seize it at the
first alarm.


One morning father went away upon bu-
sincss, expecting to be gone longer than
usual. The day passed pleasantly and qui-
etly enough, but Jennie and / had only
just drawn back from our six O'clock tea
when the door softly opened and an Indian
entered. -..ea,.


He was TALL muscular fellow. and look
ed as if he might possess the strength OF a
giant in his stalwart frame. He wore d
hunting shirt Of some dark stuff, belted at
the waist, and the borders fancifully en-
broidered with white beads, decrskin leg
gins flaming in all the colors Of the rain
bow, and pair Of wrought moccasins. At
first he stood quite still, aud surveyed rs in
silence,


Jennie had arisen. Her face was quite
pale but otherwise she did not show the
least eign of fear. She only stepped for
ward and asked:


What do you wish +? Can ! do anything
for you ?"


Z" Me want fire. water" returned the say.
age, looking at her steadily with his great
evil eyes. q.


l have no 6re-water to give you,p said
Jennie but you can have draught Of
milk you would like"


She placed some upon the table, and q
fresh plate, and bade him help himself
This he did quite freely, making a hearty
supper Of it, but still keeping his eyes upon
us while he ate. When he had finished his
repast he came and stood by the window.


I" Me stay here to night" he said !" sleep
by the fire."


No." returned Jennie, firmly, "you
cannot remain"


Me stay !" repeated the savage, this
time little aDgrily. White squaw all
Olone-can't help herself"


" am not quite SO defenceless as you
think" said my sister in an unfaltering
now you must CO."


The Indians brow darkened, and he
raised his hand as if he would strike her,
but let it fall without word and rushed
out of doors. Jennie comprehended his
object in moment. He had left his rife
without and had gone to fetch it. With q
quick movement she closed The door and
fastened it. b.eia.f9s 1


The savage came back, raging aud furi-
Gus at finding himself outwitted. He tug
ged aud pushed at the door, filling every
pause with horrid oaths and threats, but it
was true TO its trust, and did not give an
inch.


All was quiet at last Jennie took me
in her arms and crept close TO the wall, on
the same side of the room as the window,
SO that the Indian could not FIRE at US from
that, could feel her heart beating very
fast, but she whispered quietly, Don't be
frightened, Frank All will come out right
at last. He will go away soon.">
BY this time it had grown quite dark
Raising our heads little, we could see the
stars come out one by one. We dared not
light o candle, SO we sat very still in the
gloom. After long time Jennie got up.
!" am going to look for the Indian" she
said q DO not stir until come back"


She crept away through the darkness
| After she had gone all was still for few
moments, and then heard slight noise
close ut hand, looked up and saw n dark
| form at the window. ! knew it was fasteD-
ed, and SO thought very little about it,
By.and-by however, there was cracking
| Of springs, and the window went slowly up.
| hardly knew what TO do. Jennie might
or might not be where she could see all
that was going on. knew not where to
seek her, and dared not call, so lay still
and trembling, and watched every motion.


The Indian put his head through the
opening first, and then slowly drew his DO,
| dy after it. There was rustling at the
other end of the room, and the moment his
feet touched the floor Jennie struck light
She had been in another apartment when
he first attempted to enter, and had return
ed too late to prevent it. 1S


Why are you here again p she asked
with assumed anger, as the light 6ared ur
and dispersed the gloom. s.se-.t;..s .4s.5


The savage looked at her a moment il
surprise. Evidently her GOODNESS aut
calmness perplexed him. abasis 81 sl3 = ii


/" Me want fire-water,Pa said he,l after 4
/ passe.g sonh l 2at e oalsga
| /" have already told you We have none. >
White squaw lies What this, then 2
aud be seized bottle which stood upon {
SHELF and raised it to his lips, Z


The bottle was full Of oil. Jennie liftct
4 her hand TO stop him but it was too late
He had already received goodly portion
in his mouth, and was splitting and cough
i ing ut q great rate. c


1u spite OF her situation, Jennie coul,
not help but smile at his ridiculous mistake


White squaw laugh another way soon,