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Little Wolf.
A TALE
OF THE WESTERN FRONTIER.
BY
MRS. M. A. CORNELIUS.
CINCINNATI:
JOURNAL AND MESSENGER,
No. 178 ELM STREET.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by
MRS. M. A. CORNELIUS,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
CONTENTS:
CHAPTER I.
A sad breakfast--The Sherman Family--The Language of
Flowers--What a Young Man was sure of--The Parting 5
CHAPTER II.
Pendleton--The Revelation at the Saloon--Euphonious
names--The Encounter--Our Heroine Appears and Highwaymen
Disappear 19
CHAPTER III.
A Reign of Confusion--Bloody Jim--Little Wolf's Allies
Prepare for Defence--Family Trouble 30
CHAPTER IV.
More Troubles--Who was Bloody Jim--His Attempt at Kidnapping
Little Wolf--The Cause of His Hatred and the Terror he
Inspired 41
CHAPTER V.
Dr. Goodrich leaves with Daddy as Guide--Daddy's War-like
Preparations--His Testimony to the Curse of Strong
Drink--What they Discovered on their way to the Village 53
CHAPTER VI.
The Saloon Keeper--Comforting Reflections--The Unwelcome
Call--Diabolical Plotting 70
CHAPTER VII.
Music--The Warning--Preparations for Winter Interrupted--The
Welcome Boat 77
CHAPTER VIII.
The Love-letter--Discussion--A Quick Ride--Too Late--Violence
and Death 89
CHAPTER IX.
Bloody Jim's Advantages--The Fainting Captive--The Tragic
Quarrel--Outwitted at Last--The Refuge 100
CHAPTER X.
The Kidnapper's Surprise--On the Wrong Track--Bloody Jim's
Capture--The Rotten Plank 108
CHAPTER XI.
Harmless Conspiracy--The Ghost--The Wife Murderer--Tippling
and Tattling--Misrepresentations 119
CHAPTER XII.
The Cottage in the Grove--The Disguise--Back to
Health--Impatience--Searching the Box--Antoinette
La Clair's Story 129
CHAPTER XIII.
Twofold Agony--Dr. Goodrich's Promise--Home Again--Lilly
Foot--The Convalescent--The Neighborhood Wedding--News from
Chimney Rock--The Sherman Family at the West 146
CHAPTER XIV.
Rough Roads--The Happy Bridegroom--Jacob Mentor's
Experience--Fairy Knoll--A Joyful Meeting 160
CHAPTER XV.
Busy Preparations and the Climax--The Lovers--Tom Tinknor's
Discovery--General Rejoicings--The Idol Defaced 170
CHAPTER XVI.
Painful Recollections--The Last Boat of the Season--Ruffled
Plumes--Reconciliation 181
CHAPTER XVII.
Winter Sports--The Doctor's Visits--Preparations for New
Year's Day--A Discussion 189
CHAPTER XVIII.
The New Year's Ball--A Check to Festivity--The Midnight
Ride--Death in the Old Brown House 201
CHAPTER XIX.
Neighborly Sympathy--Little Wolf's Bosom Friend A
Disappointed Lover 215
CHAPTER XX.
A Weight of Sorrow--Marrying a Drunkard--Suspense 227
CHAPTER XXI.
Daddy's Diplomacy--A Passage at Arms--Fannie Green--A
Catastrophe 235
CHAPTER XXII.
The Rescue 248
CHAPTER XXIII.
An Indian Messenger--Frozen to Death 260
CHAPTER XXIV.
A Crisis--Pride and Folly 271
CHAPTER XXV.
The Sleighing Party--Clara Hastings--Mother and Son 280
CHAPTER XXVI.
Letter Writing--Daddy's Nocturnal Labors and early Walk 294
CHAPTER XXVII.
Doing and Getting Good--Wycoff's Reform 308
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Daddy's Soliloqy--A Beer-Soaker--A Knock-Down Argument--A
Present for Little Wolf 323
CHAPTER XXIX.
A Chapter of Accidents and Deliverances 333
CHAPTER XXX.
Another Saloon Scene--The Bridal Trousseau--The Lovely Nurse 341
CHAPTER XXXI.
Threats--Little Wolf and Black Hawk--Tragic Death of Hank
Glutter 354
CHAPTER XXXII.
The May Day Weddings--Miss Orrecta Lippincott's
Surprise--How Old Lovers Behave 367
CHAPTER XXXIII.
The Old Brown House Deserted--The Pearl and Diamond
Ring--Mr. and Mrs. Marsden's Conjectures 380
CHAPTER XXXIV.
A Trip to California--Jumping Overboard--The Grand Supper
and what Came of it--The Captain's Little Daughter 393
CHAPTER XXXV.
A Visit to Mrs. Sherman's Room--Daddy and his New
Spouse--Ominous Signs 408
CHAPTER XXXVI.
More News from Little Wolf--Tom Tinknor's Testimony 415
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Another Death in the Old Brown House 423
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Daddy's Temperance Lecture 430
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Death in Mid Ocean--Love Making and a Double Wedding 448
LITTLE WOLF.
CHAPTER I.
A SAD BREAKFAST--THE SHERMAN FAMILY--THE LANGUAGE OF
FLOWERS--WHAT A YOUNG MAN WAS SURE OF--THE PARTING.
Early in the morning of a long ago midsummer's day, the inmates of a
quiet New England home were making unusual preparations for the
approaching repast. The mistress of the house was ostensibly
overseeing the table; but there was an uncertainty in her movements,
which indicated a contradictory mingling of interest and abstraction,
such as agitates the mind, when trifles intrude on more weighty
matters. Not so the maid in attendance, who had served in her present
capacity for more than twenty years, and was without dispute an adept
in the culinary department, if not in affairs of the heart. She was
not so obtuse, however, in the present instance, as not to perceive
the uncomfortable state of her mistress, and, notwithstanding the
pressure of business in hand, she magnanimously paused a moment to
attempt a word of comfort. How to approach a subject which had been
continually on the lips of the whole family for weeks, was now the
poor girl's difficulty. Every instant was precious. She was in a
measure neglecting the smoking viands under her supervision, and her
long established reputation as cook was in jeopardy. At this critical
juncture she blundered out, "Mrs. Sherman, it's a pity; indeed, it is,
that he, that Edward, is bent on going."
"Why, Recta," interrupted a musical voice reproachfully, "ma is
already convinced that it is a pity Edward is going. It remains for us
to persuade her that he will speedily return."
"Bless my heart, is that Miss Louise?" said Recta, turning to the
person who had so unceremoniously interrupted her condolements. "Well,
now, I declare," she continued, "if I ain't beat. Young girls have
great arts of covering up their feelings. There's Miss Louise taking
on, and walking her chamber all night, and now she's telling me what
to say as unconcerned as if this wasn't the last meal she was going to
enjoy with her only brother."
"O fie, Recta, haven't I told you that Edward is coming home again
soon," said Louise, and, she added with a blush, "You must have heard
kitty in your dreams, and magnified her step into mine. You know you
have often said my tread was as light as Tabby's."
"But it wasn't, last night," persisted the other, "it was as heavy as
lead."
The blush deepened on the young lady's cheek; not so much on account
of the audacity with which this privileged servant had assailed her
veracity, as for other and more private reasons, herein unfolded. It
was not indeed, the distress occasioned by her brother's departure,
which, as intimated in the preceding conversation, was about to occur,
that she desired to hide; but there was one to accompany him, on whom
she had bestowed more than a sister's love, and furthermore, this
friend, having arrived the day before, had progressed, perhaps farther
in his suit than on any former occasion, Such being the state of the
case, it was natural, that, with her lover under the same roof, she
should be jealous of exhibiting feelings, others than a sister's love
would warrant. To cover her confusion, therefore, which Recta secretly
exulted in having occasioned, she retorted;
"Heavy footsteps! ridiculous! Look at me," and she drew up her slight
little figure; "for shame, Recta; confess it was your heavy ears, and
I'll forgive you."
Recta compressed her lips and Louise immediately changed her tactics.
"What a nice breakfast! Recta knows what Ned likes, don't she, ma?
Fie! Ned wont stay long away from Recta and broiled chickens, will he,
ma?"
Recta's lips visibly expanded. "I reckon he won't stay long away from
Miss Louise and flowers," said she, glancing at a beautiful bouquet,
which Louise held in her hand.
"Aren't they lovely, Recta? I've just gathered them fresh for Edward.
Now I'll arrange them on the table, while you put on the hot dishes.'"
"Gathered for Edward, as much as they are for me," muttered the
unconquered servant. "Roses and forget-me-nots mean--well, George
Goodrich will know what they mean; that's enough."
As dispatch was no mean part of the cook's accomplishments, it was not
long before the parties mentioned in her private conjectures were
seated at the breakfast table, in company with the family, the names
of all of whom we know already. It will be observed that allusion has
been made to but one parent. The memory of the other, still lived
fresh in the affections of his wife and children, and deserves first
notice among those whose plans and persons we shall endeavor in a few
words, to introduce more minutely to the reader.
Judge Sherman was a man, who, through a long and active life, was
distinguished for inflexible integrity, and, by means of sterling
talents, he rose to the first rank in his profession as a lawyer. He
married at an early age, although his courtship approached closely to
the term of years which Jacob served for Rachel. Political differences
of opinion were the obstacles which opposed his suit. In those days
the Federalists and Democrats indulged in animosities as bitter as
those which existed between the Jews and Samaritans. The latter party,
being in its infancy, could ill afford to lose even a petticoat from
its ranks. Luckily for the young Federalist, the lady of his choice
was in her heart a rebel to her father's will and purposes. But after
she became Mrs. Sherman, the united influences of both did not
annihilate the opposite party, as its future history, clearly
demonstrates. The ball, set rolling by Jefferson, continued to roll
on, and Judge Sherman, to the day of his death, never saw his favorite
principles triumph. In his efforts of a pecuniary nature he was more
successful. He had accumulated a handsome property, consisting mainly
of many broad acres of well-cultivated Massachusetts soil, which, for
a long course of years, had been in charge of a faithful and efficient
tenant, occupying a cottage a short distance from his own dwelling, a
plain old-fashioned house, situated on an airy knoll near the centre
of his domains.
Here, for nearly two years after her husband's death, Mrs. Sherman
lived in seclusion, receiving only occasional visits from her
children, Edward and Louise. The son being engaged in studying his
father's profession, while the daughter was at school preparing
herself, it would be safe to say, to follow her mother's business.
Indeed, it was a fixed fact in her own mind, that when George
Goodrich, her brother's warm friend and her ladyship's still warmer
admirer, should become established in his profession as a physician,
she would then trust herself to his care, without fear of poverty or
disease. But the young M. D. having no patrimony, and becoming
disgusted with the slow path in which he was treading to fortune,
resolved to turn his course into a rougher road at the far West.
About the same time, Edward Sherman, having been admitted to the Bar,
with no other reason except Yankee restlessness and craving, turned
his thoughts in a similar direction. On discovering to each other
their mutual proclivities, the friends determined to set out together,
as soon as Edward could gain his mother's consent, for the Territory
of Minnesota. With characteristic nobleness and fortitude, Mrs.
Sherman sacrificed her her own to her son's wishes, and it was not
until the morning of his departure, that her courage faltered.
Mother-like she sat at the head of the table, unable to swallow a
mouthful herself, while urging every delicacy upon her darling son.
"Do, dear Edward, have another cup of coffee," she pleaded, observing
that his cup was empty, while his breakfast remained untasted.
"Well, just to accommodate," said Edward smiling. "I really have not
much appetite this morning."
"I'm glad you can relish it, Mr. Edward," said Recta, in a whining
tone. "It's seasoned with old Spot's cream, and I'm thinking it will
be a long time before you'll taste any more tame milk, out there among
them wild cattle."
At this remark, the great square dining-room rang with the laughter
of the younger occupants of the old-fashioned straight backed
chairs,--this being the only room in the house, to which the
progressive spirit had not yet extended, except, indeed, that which
was manifested in the cut glass decanters, standing _empty_ on the
handsome sideboard.
A deep convulsive sob broke from Mrs. Sherman, and the merriment
instantly ceased. The mother leaned forward and covering her face with
her hands, gave vent to her long suppressed feelings. Edward was by
her side in an instant, and throwing his arms around her neck,
exclaimed:
"Mother, I will not leave you!"
"Then I can't go alone," whispered George Goodrich to Louise.
"Ma," said Louise, "Dr. Goodrich says he will stay, too."
"No, not quite that," said the embarrassed lover.
"O, you must both go," interrupted Mrs. Sherman, recovering with an
effort her presence of mind; "and we are wasting precious time," she
continued, pointing to the clock, with returning firmness.
The old clock which occupied one corner in seven feet grandeur, would
as soon have thought of stopping to indulge in sighs and tears, as
would Mrs. Sherman, when her spirit was moved to the necessity for
action. So, all the scruples of her son were peremptorily shut out of
existence, and Recta, frowned into silence, withheld the probe, which,
having fallen into the common error, she had mistaken for the healing
salve.
In passing briefly over the season of parting, there is an item which
should claim special attention for a moment, as it is intimately
connected with the destination of our adventurers.
As Edward stood by the family carriage, which was to transport them to
the public conveyance, while waiting for his friend, who had
appropriated to himself a private moment with Louise, Mrs. Sherman
inquired rather anxiously, "Edward, have you that letter?"
"Yes, mother," and, more to fill up an unpleasant gap of time than to
prove his veracity, he produced from his pocket the missive. It was
superscribed, "Dr. DeWolf, Chimney Rock, Minnesota Territory."
Prompted by the same motive which had actuated the other, Mrs. Sherman
repeated some of her previous instructions.
"Now, Edward, when you arrive at Penddleton, by all means make an
immediate effort to discover the whereabouts of Dr. DeWolf. I should
much like to hear from your father's early friend. I think he states,
in the only letter we have ever received from him, that he has fixed
his home at Chimney Rock, in the vicinity of Pendleton. However, he
may have removed from there by this time, although he was not of a
roving disposition. The persuasions of an affectionate wife, who saw
with anxiety, her husband's growing love for the wine cup, induced him
to emigrate to the far West. In breaking away from the associations
which led him to form the habit, she hoped he might attain that rank
in his profession, which his brilliant youth had promised. Edward,"
and here Mrs. Sherman's voice sank to a whisper, "your father was
saved about that time. It was by signing the Washingtonian Temperance
Pledge. Be warned, my son, and flee the temptation which had well nigh
stigmatized you as a drunkard's son. I have always intended to tell
you this, but the subject was too harrowing. I could not do it."
"You might have saved yourself the pain, now, mother," said Edward
proudly; "There is no danger of _me_."
That positive declaration came from just such a son, as many a widowed
mother and affectionate sister have doted on. Generous, warm-hearted,
and strikingly handsome, Edward Sherman, appeared a perfect type of
manhood. Were it not that the noblest forms have sometimes hid
blemished souls the world had not so often been baptized in tears.
The lovers were now at hand. Time had flown with them on a "dove's
wings," and its flutterings lightened their last adieu.