White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume], June 04, 1857, Image 1

About White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872

Image provided by: Kansas State Historical Society; Topeka, KS

                
oi(t. 1ottrir.
.THE PAWPAW. '
B T WILUAW W. F06DICK.
katk beniaa, Md Afric hath imIsj. , .
iS And Europe the iimwh- kew; ,
f ae ef the Vatfc iuk tbeir fereete of kalaa ,
I Wfew lilarjV hrffllaaa ruins--- -J -I
1$ kriToo. 3V(in5, aaeihe pise es Um ereet
.Of dja rooaauis, ? iTmpsthie, draw; .
I Bat fK Bora I ieee ie, tkoe plant af Um Wert,
My eatire, ay keck wood Pmwpnrl
WSete the woe4beM darkest ee dark ia its shade,
That Ik POO lb reef of the trees. ,
C al; pMp thmgh bn i pitiB( ( nd
' Lithe thatch, ky tfaehaaetorths Weese;
la Kentackyt deep wseaa. wbeee ay hurl kas iu boose.
Where tbe fUib.nj.ered hnatex ui )u
Ofesd wen eQwwal'hmxh the beset to mum,
; There paw the freea, peluhed Pawpaw.
Jlroad, bread an iu leaves, aad at ma ai Um an;
' Aad iu nlgiiwi ere checelate Mb, ,
HVktf booraio, iruiee, ts th kan of the bee,
Like Um raw ef lha eoesa ia rhrlli..
: ArU erwe a a wirM-riia tremfofmad to a fmrre,
i Are tfa rites tkat ha riches enfold
j A beert sfbririit jrcllow; bis seeds IstertperM;
. Aftaitaf Aabroaiaaod gold.
Ob, wWm are the cap. of the elder, ia May,
Tkat fTsnefellj aad a' Iba fence;
Aed assay Um planes tkat the eaaachs display ,
fit a velvety tlimi lateeee.
Aad the India km hath scarlet "mid eaowa,
- Tkat skasaes the r.-d berries of baw; ,
flat aoobiy asore efeaMejrji, Uiote,
. --aWrS, filiby braves of Paw-paw.
h ? -
Gfeea plait, "mid a forest ef giants in frees;
Of oottoe-woed Titans ia black;
Warn like CoUaaue tke treasure's seen
Throe- tke Suaaeer, with mm oa kii back.
Aad fcnge aboira all, ia propor-.ioa so east, f
That di ay grow ap-tnraed tret,
The poplar ia blossom. Seats oat oa Um Mart,
Aa island of klooei ia Iba akiei!
' -V v.
There, there a tha mad that ao place eaa senplaat
Jio raagie of aater or art.
Cam rer brine aaek a majesties haunt, N
If or, Shu! toy Tooth, back to my bear) !
Aad aba area of tke maid tkat bewitched tbe broad afaade,
' . "Mid tbe reea'rr ail meojorj draw,
Wkr tbe rirolat pUrkd, aod the wooi-hanatinf Naid
1 Med fcar beose ia tbe erorea of Pawpaw.
Frwm farUr i Spirit oj Ou TimU.J
THE BANDIT
AND THE BORDERER.
. ' BY LARIAT.
CHAPTER. I.
"Ott Wnr," bo called, is portion of tliirfl
rast territory of ours, lying ia the path of the
setting sua, whose precise location has nercr
yet been determineil, and whose boundary lines,
ever shifting with Time's mutations, ar daily
becoming more and more contracted by the rap
id extension of civilization and western emigra
tion. Beyond Otis land of promise, there is yet
another reeion called the ".Fr West," the
frtra incognit of North America, ribbed by
Rocky M'wntain peaks, flanked on either side
by desert prairies whence, betimes, come mar
vellous tales of wild adventure, of bloody bat
tles fotighV with the savage nomads of the
pSalns.'Yiy bold and reckless trappers, not less
wild aWbarbarous than their rcd-skinncd foes,
I and strange recitals of perils and privations,
I which they alone to whom these are but the vi
I cissitudes of cvery-day life can swear to be no
fiction. From this prairie nursery of a litera
M ture purely .American, a literature so fraught
S with strangely heroic annals, that it must soon
f supply tha place of the now popular, but les3
i wholesome fictions of tbe present day, might be
gathered thousands of thrilling incidents, of
which the following is but a sample.
.All along that ever-cltangingbcltof territory,
known as the western frontier, and forming a
large proportion of its pioncr population, there
has alwavs existed a class of semi-ciritixed,
I "kalf-horse-and alligator" beings, in western
fyrince known as Cosae-outers," but to whom
jo epithet can be more appropriately applied
f&an that of " Border-RuiEans ;" for a more
. oioua set of rascal, never disgraced rc3pcct
afile society. Bred in tbo forest, with a bowie-
knlfe in one hand, and a riflo in the other ; ear
ly taught the art of solf-defcnce against the
tealthful Indian, on whoso hunting-grounds he
has trespassed, and not less wild and unrestrain
ed than he' ; instinctively regarding friends with
suspicion, and foes with implacable hate ; ready
to provoke as to avenge an insult, he has b
conw an adept in the dutUo, and handles a Green
River blade, or an Arkansas tooth-pick with the
dexterity of a sword-player. Disdaining work,
"Tr'?V . . . . t -- an. mnorTOt't t h idle, hfl IS
I; jj.ilways pining for excitement, and is never so
fTiappy as when opportunity offers to test the tem-
li hunts catamounts for pastime, steals horses, kid-
I cap negsocai riots at a fandango, provokes a
. . Quarral trith a stranger by calling him a liar,
and knocks hiin down oceans he aon i rcseni it;
or, failing In this, or finding such sport too mo
notonous, he streaks it ut opo the prairies,
with a atore of kindred spirits at his heels, and
jaaak some miiwai '"6t; i"""-"-" - o
til kills ft Uravi, and carries off the squaws and
i horst. Then, with his hot blood up to fever
! - . .n l ArVt. ilmnani. Aa.
I . Mat ana in ino tun rcTciry ui m -
. 7. . . 1. tla!ni. mjfm
; lights, ne eoursea mj v
i ins death In evert phase, and reaay lor any
extremity to wbicb ms- maAi yty-j j
lead him. Now crossing the war-path of the
t ,rt P.wtmi! e-nnnine the. cauntlet of
V " ; .- t ..I
warming Uamancnes, or ent'n;i"s
combat with any he rsay chance to meet, ne
their Ain white or copper-colored. Anon he
-carles his proeramroe by molbiug the slow lum-
, jbering train'of the emigrant, or, dasliing down
onoa same trader's caravan, puts a ball through
iii Wri makes a raise or his treasure ana
t- ' " .
iack?. .
3
buch were the " Border-Ruffians " in the
palmy days of McDaniels, Buively and WarSeld
famed of prairie bandik. who, hovering over
the Santa Fe trail, with their formidable bands,
at a time when prairie commerce was.ln the
prime of its prosperity, thought nothing of way
laying the train of Don Antonio Chavez, -the
most influential of Mexican merchants ; of sack
ing the village of Mora, and killing its citizens;
or of jtiuinp hanl itb. praJtnr Mjaa, In
their murderous raids. And such, also, are the
Border-Ruffians of Kansas history, the abhor
rence, if not the fear, of all peaceably disposed
settlers, of whatever party or political creed.
These are they who have outraged the fair name
of both Northern and Southern honor and decen
cy, and fomented collision between parties of
conflicting political sentiment, that they nvglit
the more easily carry on their system of rapine
and murder, and with certain impunity. . These
are the horse stealers, thieves, and assassins of
Kansas men who have, the past year, inter
cepted traders' caravans, burnt, pillagetlnd
masaacrcd to their heart's content, and made
the innocent the scapegoat of their iniquities.
Never had they such a windfall as the agitation
of the slavery question, which brought novelty
and fresh material for excitement.
But we are not now to speak of the Border
Ruffians of the present day. Our narrative car
ries us back to the year 1846. At that date, in
one of the border towns of Missouri, there lived
a noted bully, by the name of Bill Blencoe
better known as Bully Blink-eye a sobriquet
he had received in consequence of an ugly scar
that lay across the corner of his icft eye, the
lasting memento of a fray, from which he had
not come off scatheless. Blencoe was the most
dreaded duellist in. the neighborhood, and his
great skill in the use of a bowie-knife or rifle,
together with his wonderfully irritable nature
and sensibility to insult, made him the more for
midable foe. He was a huge, ungainly fellow,
with a jaundiced complexion, tUiit was by no
means improved by the profusion or yellowish
hair that straggled down over a forehead natu
rally low, and half covered the eye that blinked
r a restless, wicked-looking optic that always
contained mischief in its leer, or detected it in
others. These by no means amiable character
iatica, made him an object of hate to all, and to
none less than Ben Morton, the finest lad in the
village, and an inferior shot to nnnc. Aud why?
Hadn't Blil Blencoo presumed to sue fur the
hasd of tha Cur Bull May, Can's af!ioccd bride ?
And had not he, when she had rejected bis suit,
at first beset her with importunities, and then
attempted to defame her character in the opin
ion of the world? And he had so far succeeded
as to accomplish his foul purpose. The proof
was so strong, that even the once confiding lover
was now almost convinced; and abandoning his
a ontcd seat at the chimney-comer of old farmer
May's cabin, with Bell seated at his siic, he now
roamed the forests, ostensibly inquest ef game,
but really with a mind distracten and oblivious
of the world's surroundings. He saw not the
wild buck, as it jumped from its covert across
his path; or,.if he did, he saw it vanish like his
dreams of future, bliss; and as it lapsed from
sight, his heart throbbed faintly within his breast,
and murmured, Bella May! He heeded not the
partridge, as it rose with iady whirr; but as it
skimmed away it rumbled, Bella May! That
was his all-absorbing thought. The winds sighed
it, as they rustled through the treei; tlie cricket
chirped it, as he laid himself down to rest at
night; the old clock ticked it, and. bi burning
temples throbbed it Bella May! Bella May!
faithless Bella May! Lost, lost, to the fond
heart that loved thee mare than all on earth !
Such were his passing thoughts. But soon
M A change eame o'er the apirit of hit dreamt. n
His proud spirit rose above his trials, and the
wrongs he bad received at tbe hands of his loved
one's traducer. Should he sit and mourn, while
the destroyer of his heart's fondest hopes went
unpunished at bis hands?. Should he let the vil
lain gloat in triumph over the injury he had
done, and point with scorn at him, the coward
who dure not resent it? No! His purpose was
fixed. He no longer repined;, but with a heart
bursting with revenge, he vowed to follow his
foe until he should propitiate his crime with his
heart's blood.
But first he sought out the shanty of eld Ram
rod a veteran trapper, just returned from the
head waters of the Yellow Stone and Upper
Missouri,-who had come into the- settlement to
dispose of his furs and peltries, in exchange for
powder and ball, and such other necessaries as
he required, preparatory to a seeend expedition
among the mountains and prairies of the Far
West. To young Morton this visit of old Ram
rod was most opportune; for he knew that he
could find no better friend and adviser in' this
present difficulty, than the nncle of his betrothed ;
especially since ke owed the bully an old grudge
for past offences. ' ,
Old Ramrod, as he was called, was one of that
hardy race of "mountain men," to whom it
may beeaid, the great Wert owes its very ex
istence, but whose palmiest days hare long since
passed away, along with the animals they hunt
ed .- Possessing the same rude nature and rough
exterior as those we have designated as "Come
outers;" the same reckless j u-ingj fearlessnefa
of spirit, and energy of character; with passions
equally impatient of restraint, the trapper is
nevertheless altogether a different character, fir
ke works for a living, while the other steals; the
one is in honest laborer, the other is often a pi.
rate or bandit. :
The trapper was seated at the door of his
shanty, cleaning h'S gun, when Morton approach
ed; and as the sound of footsteps caused bin to
raise his head suddenly, he gave the new comer
a quiet nod of recognition, and directly resumed
his work, without deigning him a word, i Tbe
old fellow was apt to be laconic; but bis manner,
nevertheless, was unusual, and Be scrutinized
his face" inquisitively. He saw it wore a trou
bled look, and he knew weD enough that the
trapper meant he should have the first word,
whatever might weigh upon his ow mind. So,
seating himself apoo tbe ground at his side, he
gave "his belt a hitch, and began
Ho! Ramrod," he said, " byurs a child as
has got bis foot in a trap, and no mistake." .
. The trapper nodded attention.
" Tain't no great account, boss," he' contin
ued, " when a man gets come over slick by some
smart chap as een do it, but when I see a clew
young gal made to hump-shoulder to a darned
bull-baiter like Bill Blencoe, and he the ruina
tion of her, U cuts acrose my grain it does."
.. t eaenpanioa rubbed nrvcs:-ly at the barrel
of his rifle, and his swarthy visage grew a shade
or two darker as Ben spoke ; but he made no re
ply. Ben toyed carelessly with the blade of bis
hunting-knife for a moment, apparently wrapped
in thought. Then suddenly raising his head, he
leaned towards the other, and his dark ecs
flashed fire as he fixed them upon his face.
" Thar's something-got to come of thishsre,"
he said fiercely. " Hain't the gal Bell May
and haint Bell May mine ? What right has Bill
Blencoe to dothe mean thing with her, 1 should
like to know? I'll tell him. Hain't my rifle as
good ashot as his, and my knife as long? We'll
know afore morning, you may depend;" and he
thrust the long blade of his knife deep into the
turf beside him, as though it were the heart of
his foe. Then he paused for a moment, gazed
intently into the trapper's face, and presently ad
dressed him in a tone more subdued.
" I say, old Ramrod, have you heard tell of
these doings here? for you haven't been long in
these .parts."
Ramrod laid his rifle quietly across his lap,
straightened himself up, and fixing his eagle
eye upon tho other, for the first time spoke.
" I've trapped and hunted some in my day,
boy; and thar's no sign thU child can't read off
hand. Ii's onlv Teste.-dav, at sun-up, I came
into camp, and who should I go fust to see but
my own blood and being and them's my broth
er Harry and his darter Bell? Now, who can't
tell thar's game afoot, with a trail afore his eyes
as frc"lt as paint? Didn't I sea thar was trou
ble somewliar, when I watched the gal, so pale
and thin, like a buffalo-bull in spring-time, aod
her eves so sad and tearful-like? And when I
heard you had given over a-courting on her, I
knew there was something wrong, but what it
was I never jest rightly knowed till now." The
trapner paused to change the " old soger " in his
cheek for a fresh quid, which scpaied to turn the
drift of his thoughts somewhat, for the muscles
of his face twitched convulsively when he spoke
the second tine. "Thisold tool," he said, tip
ping bis rifle withjii:1 fiuer.V-4ll:rs kuosrawUcn
meat's a-runninr. the aliooia centre, the does;-
and thar's never a bar, orbuffler, or Injun, that's
missed ber say, when she's drew bead on 'em.
Just so will she speak for herself when Bill Blen
coe crosses her track; forirr mind's my own.
Whoever dares to hurt a bar of that gal's head,
has got to feel cold lead or else shake hands
willi t'n's old rib-sticker, eh hoas?" and the trap
per grinned as he placed his band on the hilt of
the knife in his belt. - .
Then, rising to his feet, he swung his rifle
over his shoulder, and said: " Let's go to the
village."
Agreed!". said Ben, and the twain plunged
into the woods.
CHAPTER II.
T1..I n , , . .....
na ciri.uig namrou ana ucn wennea their
ay to the village tavern a log and board shan
ty, enjoying the very domestic name of " Tbe
rrairio Home," which name was displayed in
large, black letters, burnt upon a rough pine
board, nsiled over the door. The bar-room was
noisy with iu usual quota of loungers, as the
two men entered, and the fumes of tobacco and
vile whiskey that fillvd the place, were almost
suffocating to those just leaving the cool, pure
air out&ide. A couple of huge lnjs were bla
zing in the fire-places (for though the early au
tumn, the night was chill ami frosty), anj
through the dense clouds of smoke, its flames
looked red and iuri.', like the sun in an eclipse.
A solitary candle, stuck in a bottle, added its
fettle light to that of the fire; but both togeth
er, hardly sufficient to render the shadowv groups
of loungers half distinguishable. '
Nodding carel5sly to two or three acquain
tances near the door, the trapper and his friend
made their way to a little partitioned stall in the
earner of the room, that served the purpose of a
bar; and having swallowed a glass of whiskey,
took their stand near where a party of five were
seated around an old pine box, intently absorbed
in that fashionable western game of " seven
up." They were all fair specimens of the bor
der-ruffian chivalry rough fellows, with hirsute
and sun-burnt visages, and wiry, muscular frames
attired in motley costumes of blue striped cotton
shirts, coarse, home-spun breeches, or buckskin
leggings, a straw bat or deerskia cap, and leath
ern belts around their waists, in which were
thrust the ever-present bowie-knife or pistol. For
a moment, Ben and Ramrod stood quietly watch
ing the progress of the game; bat both started
at the sound pf the voice of one of the players,
who sat with his back towards them, and whose
face they had not yet seen. There was no mis
taking that voice; ana the leng, tangled hair,
that straggled from under a rough fur cap, look
ed familiar enough; but to satisfy themselves.
they moved a little to one side, just enough to
catch a glimpse ef a scar-marked eye. That
was sufficient to remove all doubts. '
Old Ramrod started perceptibly, and uttered
a row angry growl, as his hand quickly sought
the handle of bis knife; but Bca clutched his
arm with a firm grip, and the trapper, obedient
to tbe warning, instantly resumed bis composure,
aad stood silent as before. Blencoe manifested
no sign of emotion, but still seemed absorbed in
the gasae; though his quick eye no doubt de
tected the Siavement, for his tongue, until now
unusually quiet, began to move glibly; and sun
dry sarcastic or impudent cemarks, apparently
thrown at random, were evidently intended for'
the exclusive ear of Ben and Ramrod. The
rest of the party, however, did not seem aware
of their presence and the two, though greatly
nettled, and hardly able to restrain themselves,
quietly bit their lips, and took no notice of it.
The too confident bully, thus reassured", became
snore venturesome; but he was treading oa dan
gerous ground. . . " .
Here's a hand," he cried, " as is bound to
win. Ten to oae oa the game thai I sweep the
board, just as easy as I rtole the prettiest gal in
tbe village. Who dare et fcis pile? '
All knew tbe rascal's villainy well, and more
than one heard his braggart inoendo in silent
indignation, but feared to brave the vengeance
of the dreaded bully If a word of just resent
ment. Ajrain the t;appeTntcheC the handle
of liis ready knife. The bufiy aaw ana move
ment, and his cunning eye glistened with a de
moniac light. '
" Double it," he cried, bringing down a heavy
purse of coin upon the box with a force that
sounded like a hammer. " Double it, that I can
prove Bell May to be no better than
"Liar!" yelled Ramrod,' with a voice that
sounded like an lndian war-whoop; and with a
bound, he cleared the pine box between them,
and springing upon his startled foe with the swift
rage of a tiger, he crushed him down to earth,
and brandished his long knife high over his de
voted hoad. "Stand back!" he cried, as Ben
pressed eagerly forward. " Stand back ! I'll fix
this nigger's flint, alone!" ';
"No no! not in cold blood.. Give him a
chance for a fair fight!" shouted Ben, as he
stayed the murderous blow. " He's my mar.
not yours, fm the one to match him. For Bell's
sake, let me do it! For my Bell's ." Ha!
ware-steel there, Ramrod!" he cried suddenly,
as his quick eye detected the bully's hand aim
ing a stealthy thrust at the trapper's side with
his knife, which be had managek to seize, unper
ceived by his antagonists; and quick as thought,
he darted forward, and pressed his kneo upon
the treacherous arm. '
At the sound of angry voices, all had pressed
forward simultaneously to the scene of conflict,
and there stood for a time transfixed in amaze-!
mcut at tho boldness of him wha dared to cope
with the most dreaded duellist of that section,
and fearing to interfere, lest they should divert
his wrath upon themselves. But when they saw
the new phase affairs were taking, they regained
their seif-powession.
" Fair play !' they shouted. " Ben is right.
Give him a chance, Ramrod, and let him on his
feet"
The trapper yielded unwillingly, and released
his grasp. Asoon aa tha other found himself
free, his rage redoubled, aud he .would have
sprung upon his antagonist, had hp nut been re
strained by those who held him back.
"Come jri4 hnsu," eolfl the (apn.nOwqitjt'
eeol. " Toe the" mark, my jfe f , if you feel like '
having yer rib tickled with tliis here!" and he
shook his knife menacingly - I'm a regular
mountain mau wrugh! and can't be bluffed by
such chaff as you. I reckon rj how you're see'd
this child afore; for once auue I let you off
slick and wouldn't do it th; time, np-how, sa
vin' as how T know this lad here'll knock the
hind eights clean off yer, when it comes to shoot-
in , or rib-stickin, either. And if he don't do
it, you've got me to fight eh, Ben?"
"No no! Leave it all to me," urged Ben
Morton, earnestly. " If I am killed, it will be
for Bell and yon."
" Yes. Let 'cm have it oct," said several of
the party, quite pleased at the prospect of some
excitement .to relieve the past week's monotonv,
and loth to give up the sport of seeing two hu
man beings vti.. each other.
Bill B'.-neoe stood with his villainous eyes fix
ed r .n the face of hU ncw-fnund foe, and a
treacherous but triumphant smile played around
the cornet; of his mouth.
" So you wouM like a little taste of this here,
my fine fellow?" he aeuuuJcu of Ben, with ac
cents of greatest contempt " But I suppose you
wouldn't mind having a few days longer to live,
so as to be a-courting of that rrret Bell of
yours; and wouldn't caro to have a f iecc of cold
lead put iuto yer lights just now eh?" he con
tinued tauntingly.
The face of young Morton turned deadly pale,
and for a moment he stood rigid as a statue.
Not a muscle moved; but the flashing of his dark
eyes, that glared like a panther's, spoke the un
utterable rage pent up within his breast.
" Fool!" he hissed at length, " ya know not
what you say! Come on, if you area man. But
you are not Yoe'rc a coward and a villain!"
and he shook his clenched fist in his adversary's
face.
Blencoe lyid hitherto assumed his true charac
terthat of the bully. lie felt that he had bis
victim completely in his power, so coofidrnt was
he of his superior skill as a duellist. But now
his worst passions were aroused. Astonished at
his reckless temerity, and enraged by his defiant
challenge, he ground his teeth, and raved like a
madman. j
"When shall it her he growled,' with a
hoarse voice. . t
"Now! to-night! the sooner the better!" cried
Ben, impatient for the conflict
" And the tools?"
"Here they are here!"- The young man
clapped his band upon his belt, where. the han
dle of his long knife and two heavy pistols pro
truded, and a horrid smile plaved around his
lips .
"No nor cried several voices together.
"Not to-night! Yon couldn't draw a bead in
the dark. There's not e'en a moon !
Bca Morton had many friends who disliked to
see him sacrifice his life oa such terms. They
knew well . enough there was not a better shot in
the village, and that he was fully a match for his
foe with a rifle or pistol; but knowing the diffi
culty of taking accurate aim ia tie duck, they
(pared for the consequences whrn he should
place himself within reach of the other's dead
ly blade. However, Bea was act to be dissua
ded, and each choosing hi second, the terms ef ,
the combat were speedily arranged. Proceeding
a short distance from the shanty some ten paces
were marked off, and each stood with a pistol in
either hand, and their knives handy to their
grasp, ready to be used, should the bullet fail oa
its errand of death. . -
The excitement aew became In tease, and ma
ny a heart throbbed fast with anxiety for the is
sue of a conflict that was to mark aa era in tbe
history of tbe town. It is needless to say that
the sympathies of all were vith young Me?"-
All knew the wrongs he had suffered at the hands
of Blenape, and more than one earnestly wished
that Ben would be the means of ridding the coun
try of so terrible a character as the famed "Bal
ly Blink-eye."
Ben Morton was a fine-looking fellow fully
Bleacoe's equal in stature with an honest ex
pression of countenance that offered a striking
contrast to tho impudent leer of the other. His
cheek was pallid, but the compressed lips and
fixed eye indicated a stern determination that
augured well for his success. . Blencoe seem jd
confident of his advantage, and his cunning
gray eye twinkled maliciously, as he confronted
his opponent
The parties fired at the word, and two distinct
roports were heard, as each brace f pistols
cracked simultaneously, first one and thca the
other. Then hastily dashing them to the earth,
each drew hi) deadly knife, and rushed to closer
combat But hardly bad the first clash of steel
rung upon the still night air, when Blencoe 'a arm
dropped suddcn'y,his knees trembled for an in
stant, and vainly clutching at the air with out
stretched arms, he staggered and foil to tbe
earth. A sudden burst of exultation and sur
prise followed this unexpected result; but it
lasted only for an instant, and then 'all gathered
quickly around the fallen man. One raised him
up, while another stripped off his shirt, already
saturated with blood. Ben's pistol had been true
to its aim, for one ball had left its mark ia Bksn
coe's side, while the other had slightly grazed
his neck.
Ben stood by with folded arms looking calm
ly into his face. "Is he dead?" he asked, and
placed his hand upon his bared breast, to feel the
pulsations of the heart.
"He breathes yet," replied Ramrod; "but
he's just as good as gone, I'm thinking." Then
he started suddenly. " By crickey ! you're hurt,
boy!" he exclaimed, and he seized Ben's wrist,
looked at it, then glanced towards the fallen
man, and again examined the wrist from which
the blood was now flowing in streams. Ben's
band had left a deep red imprint where he had
placed it, and this was what first attracted the
trapper's attention. Ben glanced at his wound
ed limb in surprise, for he had not before per
ceived that he was struck. Then he nntied his
neckerchief, and-proceedej to bandage his arm
tiphtly.
"Come! let's leave, boy!" said Ramrod, with
some show of trepidation, and he seized Ben's
sna etid led- hiat liox-ir away. v " TkatKlprir
jet as good as dead, for you give it to him slick.
That's bad for him, but to stay here is wuss for
you. This child smells t; ouble a-comin; so let's
ca'Ae at once, for it ain't safe, no how."
Ben took the hint at once, for he well knew
that even in this section there was law of some
kind, and he feared the consequences that might
be. Old Ramrod was now ready to put out again
for the Plains, and he determined to accompany
hiin. Before the eastern sky was fairly redden
ed the next morning, tbe twain were far out on
tho prairie riding at a brisk trot on fleet-footed
steeds, with their " possible sacks" strapped on
behind, and their rifles resting upon their saddle
oows before them.
Bell bent her hoad upon her hands at eventide,
when she found that Ben had gone.and wept bit
ter tears; for he had left her without one part
ing word, and she knew that he doubted her fi
delity. The thought was crushing.
Thus it is that many a man has been led to
abandon the comforts and pleasures of civilized
life, for the perils and hardships of the Far
West. Disappoin'ment in love, or the fear of
punishment for the commission of crime, have
driven him out oftener than a mere love of ad
venture, or an innate fondness for a roving life of
peril.
(Concluded next iretk.)
liscl(aiic0tiSe
I W02TDE2 WHY!
Be pteta'd bt kead, I eaa tell wbe .
I'm tare I weader whv ke did ia ; .
Aad than I keari-ob, aack a ttfh ;-ar-
A --Ae alafned tae fue a auaaM..' '
I woader why ke preaeed mj kaad
I woader why be aiah'd ao aadty
tm sara, rf I could aadentaad
Tbo cease, I wooU rsowra it g ladljr.
Ha told bm ke bad loot kit heart,
Aad wbiapered anaaetbief ekoat "Hope;"
I weader why it did depart
Or why kearta eser do elope?
rn an re, if I hie heart had beea,
I aerer weald hare kit kia aide.
Bat etey'd a keep, joreee thief ,
Aad iovod Um plaee till t bad died.
Now I.ivimo. A eo temporary says that the
boy is now living who will be President of the
Republic in 1900. What his name is, er where
he resides, he does not stop to inform u He
may at tlds moment be gathering pumpkins in
Oregon, or peddling pop-corn around Troy.
Daniel Webster once made " a new suit of sat
inctt " by selling cat-fish, at a shilling a string.
Whcrev er he may be, all unconscious of his,high
desiiay, he feels tbe divinity that stirs within
him, aad grasps his book, thirsting for know
ledge. His parents, as they answer his endless
queries, rejoice at his developing intellect, yet
little dream that his wilt be a great name among
men, known wide as the world.
Or, perchance tbe hard hand of poverty, or
the cold hand of orphanage, are moulding and
training him for the patient effort, that self re
liance and resolute will, that fit him for great
achievements. He must pass through the school
that prepares him for his high career. Ia his
youth many a trial and wrong must break him
to the hardness of life. In his manhood many
hardsliips must be endured, many obstacles over
come, wad rivals outstripped in the race; the
voice of envy and detraction despised; and ha
tred and malice defied.
Through such a school and training, the Pres
ident of 1900 will doubtless come, and is now
coming. But from what condition in life, from
what part of oar broad land no one can predict
or know, bnt Providence who presides over the
destinies of all nations. Recketier Jimeriemn,
" I Hive the Rcs.of.to mt rr Evnr Wrtx."
It not un frequently occurs, says aa exchange,
that when persons, asked if hey will subscribe
for a newspaper, or if they already take it, they
reply, " No, but neighbor B. takes it, and I have
the reading of it every week . Such often adu
they " consider it the best paper they know of."
They are benefitted every week by the toils,
perplexities and expenditures of those who re
ceive nothing from then ia return. Reader, if
yoa feel reproved, just send la your name and
take the paper yourself.
FiUiX A rrroioi. There is a beautiful say
ing among the Tnrk : "A wife may be lost, aad
we may marry ar-iin; children may die, and
others can take their places, but we eaa have
but one mother."
Discreet wives have sometimes neither eyes
nor ears.
La Marseillaise.
The following brief history of this world
renowned national anthem will be interesting:
The history of this song, now heard in France
no more, now crushed down in the hearts of the
French people, and made to give way to Par-
taut pour I Svrie, is not without history. It
was composed, both words and muste, by a
young royalist officer of artillery, Rouget de
Lisle by name. He was stationed at Strasburg
at the time when France was heaving with the
throes of revolution. He was known through
out tbe country as a favorite of the muses of
poetry and song. The winter of 1792 was one
of scarcity in Strasburg, and at the table of a
poor acquaintance, Deitrick, who could set but
littlo food before his guest, De Lisle always
found at least a generous bottle of wine. It
was on an evening of this gloomy season of want
and turmoil, when Deitrick and De Lisle were
wanning themselves with the old " Falemain,"
that the farmer proposed to the latter that he
should produce " one of those hymns which con
vey to the souls of tho people the enthusiasm
whi cii suggested it" De Lisle repaired at mid
night to his lodgings, aad there on his clavicord,
now composing the air before the words and now
the words before the air, in a sort of frenzy
struck off a hymn, "which" says a distinguished
French writer, " seenu a recovered echo of
Thcrmopylje it was heroism sung." Orcr
come atlengA,and exhausted, he fell asleep,
and it was not until the next day that he wrote
.-rat &e rrron T.d presented it to his frieud Dei
trick. The hymn of the country was found.
Alas! it proved the requiem to poor Deitrick.
He went to the scaffold to its notes, within a
year. It flew from city to city. At the opening
and closing of the clubs in Marseilles it was
sung, and hence its name. Dc Lisle himself,
proscribed as a loyalist, heard that song when
fleeing for safety from his country, and what he
had created in a moment of enthusiasm, and as
an incentive to freedom, became the death cry
of the revolutionist), and stirred the blood of
desperate men to the most fearful deeds of tyr
anny and terror.
Aged E.xgush Porrav-The oldest living Eng
lish poets, since the death of Mr". Rogers, are
said te bo Walter Savage Landor, born 1775,
Leigh Hunt, bora 1784; and Barry Cornwall,
bom.1790. The Illustrated News remarks that:
The only English poet who attained an age of
nearly equal duration with that attained by Mr.
Rogers, was the poet Waller.- Waller was bom
in 1 603, two years after the death of Queen Eliz
abeth. He sat aa a member of Parliament in
the reign of James I. He was a member of the
celebrated Leng Parliament of Charles L He
sung the panegyric of Oliver Cromwell, and cel
ebrated the restoration of Charles II. He was
alive at the coronation of King Jamea IH. and
if his life had been spared barely beyond anoth
er year, would have witnessed the abdication of
James and the accession of i Dam and Marr.
He was like Mr. Rogers in "other respects than
his poetry. He was a man oi wealth and he was
a wit Waller at eighty was still the delight of
the House of Commons. Rogers at eighty-eight
was still tha delight of the most fashionable din
ner tables in Tyburnia and Bclgravia. The
saying of Waller have deservedly found a place
in some of the best volumes of our Ana; and
the repartees of Rogers are likely to find a ce
lebrity that is equally enduring.
Cl ocx s Time was when men were alone
able to count the peograca of the hours by the
shadows east upon the ground by a tree or a tri
umphant column; when the Egyptians observed
the progress of the pennmbra cast upon the sands
by an obelisk to know how far tbe day had ad
vanced, or when the vault of heaven was their
dial plate, the "tun their minute hand. Little
do the denizens of such world as our own huge
metvpolis reflect, as they hurry along its streets,
upon the glory that resides in tbe dark turrets
of t'aeir chutche. Little do they consider that
the vastacsa of human intelligence and Inven
tion is there sounded forth every quarter with a
brazen voice. What would not be the emotions
of admiration ia the mind of an ancient Hun
could he wake up bow from his sleep of centu
ries, to know that there are vast and eomplicjy
ted machines of metal sentinelled (a those bel
fries, abandoned to their owa stealthy move
ments, and yet tracking with aa Inexorable fla
gst the lapse of every second, and forth
with a sonorous ton gee, at certai a 'intervals, tbe
gradations ef indomitable Time WeVa ta
Leren.
Every person who taiv & newspaper, (and es
pecially a weekly paper,) sh.'d keep files of it,
A Poisoned Valley..
A singular discovery has lately beea made
near Batten, in Java, of a poisonous va'ley. Mr.
Alexander Buden visited it last July, and we ex- 1
tract a paragraph from a eommunicatioa oa the- -subject
addressed by him to the Royal Geograph- .
ical Society. . .
" It is known by the name of Guevo TJpas, or
Poisoned Ysjleyj and, fbllowiag a pa'Ji hira
has beea merle for the purpose, the party shortly
reached it with a couple of dor and fowls, for
the purpose of making experiments. Oa arri-
1
1
n ( 1 -
in 3 at the mountain, th partj iJismotintcd autt "
it
. k
i 1
V
1
scrambled np the side of the hill, at a distance
of a mile, with the assistance of the branches of
trees and projecting roots. When at a tew yards
from the valley, a strong, nauseous, suffocating
smell was experienced, but oa approaching the
margin, the inconvenieaee was no longer (band.
The valley is about half a mile ia circumfer- ft
tact, of aa oval shape, and -bout thirty feet la i
depth. The bottom of h appeared te be flat.
. . ii :
eiuiuua any wgetauon, ami a lew large svonee
scattered here and there. Skeletons of human
beings, tigers, bean, deer and all sort of birds
and wild animals, lay about ia profusion. The .
ground on which they lay at the bottom of the
valley appeared to be a hard sandy substaace.
and no vapor was perceived. Tbe side were -
covered with vegetatioa. ,
It was proposed to enter itsaad each party
having lit a cigar, ntaaagtd to get wlthia treaty .
teei oi me ooitom, wnere a k.cxemng nauseous
smell was exnerienred. without am diffimltv etf
oreaming. a uog was now laatene to Uie ena
Af a Kamhrwi nil th.nat ti V.a k4.i iW. - V
ley, while some of f oarty, with their watehee
in their hands, ob-- ' v effect r At the ex
piration of four'- - v i. veil off his legs.
itboutmovic - . . it., '. .nd contin
ued alive only e.c. t. ; ..-'.v : ether
dog now left the compel v it .'
panion; on reaching him Li vx. ; '--
stand quite motionless, and at tie
seconds fell down; he never moved' hi
after, and lived only seven stiaatss.
was now ti'rown in, which lived a minute
quarter, ami another which was thrown
it- 1ivx1 Anl ti mtnMbn ,nil a tialf
... j " " , , t j -V
" heavy shower of rain fell during th time I V
that these rxpriiaeiita were going forward, fit
which from tlie intereetine natnttt nf that aeiwri.. - S. '
menu, was quite msregarueqaesaviji me epnoeiie
side of the valley to that which i
"a fisman skeleton, the head restii g ou tha righk'aJ I
The effect of Jh weather baa Utacbed VV--!
I
is
i
I
I .,! tea . V- J
tea-!. hM
the bones as white as ivory. This was probably
the remains ef some wretched rebel hunted to-
wards the valley, who had Ukea shelter there,
unconscious of its character."
and "very two or three years get them bofad.
Every man who does this, leaves a valuable bea
to his children, who respect his memory aad val
ue the bequest more thaa tea times the cost
volume of newspapers ixty years old would bow
sell at more thaa cost any where. A aewspaper
is the bcV history of the times which eaa be
found. Aoer a long lapse of time, they are re
sorted to by scholars and antifptariass with great
interest
before us like a meteor will stay ia our presence
forever!" v.-
s-w '
K
IhkoetaUti. How beautiful the following
from the pen of Prentice, and bow happy the
heart that can see thes beauties as he portrays
them:
Why is it that the rainbow and the cloud come
over us with a beauty that is not of earth, ami
thus pass away, and leave us-to muse oa their
faded loveliness? Why is it that the stars, which
bold their fe- tiral around their midnight throats,
are set above the grasp of our limited faculties,
forever mocking us with their unapproachable
glory? And why is it that bright forms of homaa
beauty are presented to oar view, and then taken
'from as, leaving the thousand dreams of afflic
tion to flow back in Alpine torrents upon our
heart? We are bom for a higher destiny thaa
that of earth. There is a realm where the rain
bow never fades, where the stars will set out
before as like islands that slumber on the rcean,
and where the beautiful being that now passes
Lovi fo the Dead.--The h-re-thst survives")
the tomb, say Irving, Is one of tle noblest at
tributes of the soul. If it has it woes. It has
likewise Its delights; and when overwhelming"
burst of grief is calmed into the gentle tear tl
raeoilection, then the sudden anguish and con
vulsed agony ever, the present rains of that we
most loved are softened away into pensive med
itation on all that it was ia the day of its loveli
ness. Who would root sorrow Uta the heart,
though it may sometimes throw a passing- cloud
over tbe bright hour of gayety, or spread a deep
er sadness over the hour of gloom? Yet wh
would exchange it for even the song of pleaattreH
er the burst of revelry? No, there is a voice
from the tomli sweeter thaa song; there la a re
membrance of the dead to which to turn eve
from the charm of the living.
Jom RaSDOLVH's KzsrxE to his Ncoaocs.
Returning to Roanoke after along abac bee, Jooe
Randolph discovered that the negroes had been '
very aegligeat The barns were empty, acj , Vt
there was nothing to ta t- He determined to as-
semble the negroes and give them a talk. ; "La- -
dies and gentlemen," said be, " I appear before 4
yoa with great diffidence on the present occrtion; '
perhaps, ladies asd gentlemen, yoa feci asdeep- v J
Iy aa I do, for after inspecting tbe bams I can, T-f i
. a a -, - , , . rv-
um una any cvuicuce ui your muunry aurtug
my absence. What is to be done? We have sf
nothing to eat, and to avoid starvation, one f t
as must necessarily run away. Now, lavdieTISa t -
gentlemen, I have a proposition te make, which .,'
is this: that as one of us must run away, we had
better compromise the difficulty, and both of aa '
ma away together." . .
V4
i
Persons extremely reserved are like old en-.
ameled watches, which had painted coven, that
Mrvired your peeing what o'clock it was. '
"How deyee. know," said an enlightened
European to aa ignorant savage ef Aaia, " how I '
do yoa know there is a God V ?T
" How do yoa kaow," replied the savag' i
pointing ta the human fboteteps near hirn, - ' i
do yea know that men have passed this wa-I .
.Hope writes the poetry of a boy, but.'-
Mao looks forward r
Bur.
The eupc .
that of At
Afoot backward with sighs.
Providence of God.
eel at fjii hrim. fmft tfiA fltme tcJaerOPrttd mm Wn t
drink deeper, and the dregs b.fju( bitter. "
: : -j w
It is (fisntal to stand amid the ruins of mosl- i
derisg cities, to startle the serpent aad the firi. ;
S3
amid the wrecks of jPenepolie and Thfff ' '
more CMmai tiJIto stand ajgiiMtueyetg . '
er ruins of Law and Order, t'M thattr
orvckmd them salve-. fS
I
f '.' . -
1111 La" -
ef
-svdta.
ajwewwabtch,"ana