The White Rose Of The Cherokees.

" Among aU the miserable little wretches with whom I daily came m contact , there was only one fact that interested me in the least—only one child for whom I entertained a particle of affection . This exception was a little gentle girl , named Susan Cameron . I often shared with her my scanty and burnt porridge—I loaned her the only marble of which I was the fortunate possessor—I helped her about her studies—I shielded her from punishment , sometimes voluntarily suffering in her stead . She early learned to look to me for protectionand to threaten those who disturbed her Avith my

dis-, pleasure . " When I was twelve years old I was bound out to a hotel-keeper . I hated to leave Susy , and Ave shed not a few natural tears over the separation . I had not been long in my situation before I learned that a table Avaiter Avas needed in the establishment . I made bold to mention my friend , ancl found that she could fill the place . She also Avas bound out to my masterand we went on together Avith lighter hearts than we

, had ever carried before . When Susy Avas eighteen , and I Avas twenty-one—to make a short story out of a long one—Ave Avere married , ancl soon after moA'ed aAvay to a frontier settlement in the far West . I had picked up ancl saved two hunched dollars . With it I bought a small piece of land , and on it erected a log cabin . On one side of us Avere Indians ; on the other , poor emigrants , adventurers like ourselves . " Nature meant me to be a quiet and domestic man . Had I had a Avorthy and

gentle mother , I should have idolized her . Brothers and sisters would have lived deeply in my heart : but I had nobody to cling to but my gentle Avife , and I loved her Avith a strength . and depth of affection seldom equalled . Our little log cabin , AA'hich Susy ' s taste adorned more than you would haA'e supposed it possible for woman ' s taste to have done , Avas to both of us a sort of earthly heaven . Our affections and Avishes never strayed beyond it . After a youth of hardshipAve hoped for an old age of love and

, peace . " A little daughter Avas born to us . She Avas her mother ' s exact image , and she greAv hi stature and loveliness every day . Our Indian neighbours often came to see the ' Avhite papoose , ' as they called her . They brought her presents , too , birds' eggs , sea-shells , and feathers . The first berries that opened in the Avoods were among their offerings . The ' Avhite papoose' AA'as a great child in their estimation .

" Among the Indians there was one named Okafenka . He Avas a Freemason—the only one that I could discover in the nei ghbourhood . He often came to our cabin . He called me ' Brother '—for I , too , Avas a member of the Fraternity—and seemed greatly pleased Avith the bond of union that existed between us . "Time sped rapidly away . Indian hostilities began . The first intimation I received that my red neighbours Avere not as friendly as ever came from Okafenka . He came to my cabinbut refused to partake of our hospitalities ; he sat in sullen silence

, upon the threshold and gazed straight before him AA'ithout moving a muscle or saying a word . "' What is the matter Avith my red Brother ? ' I said , approaching him , and laying my hand upon his arm . ' Why does he refuse to eat with the pale face ? For many seasons he has been our friend . How have we offended him ?' " The red man did not deign a reply . He sat as moody ancl taciturn as before .

My wife motioned to Lucy , our little daughter , to approach him . He had always been extremely fond of the child—had her a hundred times upon his lap , and suffered her to play with his shot-pouch and moccasins . But this time he gently repulsed her . " ' My Avhite Brother , ' he said , hastly starting up , and draAving his blanket about him , Avhile ' the feathers which ornamented his head trembled AA'ith the excitement that shook his poAverful frame— ' there are he-Avohes in the thicket ; their eyes are like balls

of fire , and their teeth are like sharp swords . Beware , my Brother ! when you least expect it they may make you their prey . The Avhite sister ancl the pretty papoose are not safe . Before this moon shall die out in the heavens them blood may crimson your hearth-stone , or they may grind corn in the camp of the enemy . The braves will seek my blood if they find out I have told you this : but you are myBrother , and I could not see you perish like the mown grass . Away ! away ! Okafenka must be seen coming here no more . '