The backwoods' bride : a romance of squatter life

Chapter I. The Camp-meeting

Mr. Gardiner reined in his horse to take a survey of the novel scene before him. He had been leisurely riding along, thinking of the errand on which he was bent, which was, to see some squatters who had erected their cabins upon land already purchased from Government, by his agent, the previous year, when he had suddenly come into full view of a camp-meeting, the noise of which had attracted him some moments before he ascertained its cause.

The camping-ground had been selected on the borders of one of those fairy lakes, which gleam like enchanted mirrors out of their emerald frames, and are set in the most unexpected places, every here and there, through certain portions of Michigan. Curious and unaccountable these lakes are, for, though many are small enough to throw a stone across, and one of them is named Dollar Lake, so small and round and bright is it, they are cold and fathomless.

Close down to the narrow strip of silver sand, which circled the dimpled sheet of water, grew beautiful groves, whose trees, though tall and promising, had nothing of the ancient solemnity of some of our primeval forests, — for these were of youthful growth, and had sprung up within twenty years on grounds which had erst been desolated by annual fires. In the mingled shadow and sunshine of this lovelv spot, were gathered together two or throe hundred people. Rude seat?

of boards, supported on the stumps of saplings which had been sawn off some sixteen or eighteen inches from the ground, surrounded the speaker's stand, which was canopied by the noble branches of one of the largest oaks.

Upon these s<;ats many of tae congregation were now sitting ; but, as R.any others were scattered about in the doors of their tents, and in their waggons, while some of the more youthful and reckless of the crowd were perched in the trees, where they could " see the fun," disturb with sly pranks the more serious-minded, and send down grimaces to their fellow sinners. The waggons were drawn up in a semicircle, at a little distance, many of them covered, and answering the pur poso of tents ; while, within this circle, another, formed of tents of all shapes and patterns, the most of them made of poles, covered over thickly with the green branches of the forest, after the manner of Indian wigwams; others, of blankets, blue, red, and striped, and still ethers of snowy white cloth, most likely some of the good housewives' homespun sheets.

At the moment of Harry Gardiner's reaching the camp, one of the preachers was offering up a prayer. With the natural reverence of a noble nature, Harry took off his cap, and remained respectfully listening. The preacher was a broadchested, black-haired, brown-faced man, who looked fitted in stature and muscle to hold earthly, as well as spiritual warfare. When he first began his prayer, his voice was a clear whisper, which blended in with the rustling of the leaves and the murmur of the lake, as if nature and man were praying together, and with an inconceivably sweet and thrilling effect. So soul-subduing it was, that even tho human monkeys and squirrels in the tree-tops ceased their pranks, and the rough men who were whistling and defying the effects of the preaching, began to open their mouths and put their hands in their pockets, in attitude of attention.

Harry saw four villanous-looking fellows, who were playing cards inside a covered waggon, forget their game, and bend to listen, as the whisper rose, as the whisper of a storm rises in the forest, until that strange, deep, powerful voice swayed its hearers to and fro ; sighed and shrieked, and thundered in a mighty tempest of supplication, which shook the people as reeds are shaken in a fearful wind. Then that excitable

FOR SHAME, SUSAN CARTER. 7

gatherhg, made up mostly of tlaose unused to controlling their emotions, and whose feelings had already been powerfully wrought upon, began to weep and wail, blending their lain entation with the voice which almost fiercely implored their salvation. The deep " amen" of the deacons, the sobbing of the women, the groans of the men, were borne aloft by that tempest of entreaty, until Harry, young and enthusiastic as was his temperament, almost looked for a miracle in the shape of a special answer from the depths of the calm, blue sky above them. Hardly would he have wondered, had those blue, ethereal curtains parted, and through a flood of golden light, the Dove had descended, whispering, " Peace, be still !" to the tumultuous multitude.

At last the prayer was ended. Strong as appeared his bodily powers, the speaker seemed exhausted, mentally and physically, as he sank upon his seat, and wiped the swarthy brow now almost pale with emotion. He had " wrestled with God" for these people whom he loved ; and not only with God, but with the devil, whom, he was bound, should not have a single one of these congregated souls. In the comparative silence which followed his sitting down, the sobs and screams of women, who were rocking themselves to and fro, or who had flung themselves prone upon the ground, as well as the shouts and groans of the men, became more audible. Harry dismounted, and tying his horse to a tree, went forward near the benches. The thought bad struck him that the men he wished to see were doubtless, many of them, at this meeting ; and during the noon recess, which was now approaching, he would have an opportunity of speaking with them.

'' For shame, Susan Carter, to set here without shedding a tear, and listen to such preachin' and prayin' as we've heard this mornin'. Your heart must be as hard as the nether millstone. There's Polly Hubbard faintin' away, now, in her mother's arms, — and she was always a better girl than you, — hadn't nigh so much need of repentance."

" Indeed, Aunt Dcbby, I joined in the prayer with all my soul ; but I shouldn't like to make such a public exhibition of my feelings as that."

Harry Gardiner looked at the speakers, who occupied a seat close besido him, as he stood in the outer edge jf the circle. One of them was a spinster of about five and-forty, with a narrow and peaked face, down either side of which, a few wiry ringlets of black hair, were permitted to fall. She wore one of the immense bonnets of that period, a fine leghorn, which cost fifteen dollars, and was to last fifteen years. Her green dress and white Vandyke, looked prim and neat. Beside her sat a girl of seventeen or eighteen, so fresh, and fair, and pretty, by contrast, as a young violet to a frostbitten marigold. It was a warm summer day, and her straw bonnet was lying in her lap. The flickering shadows of the maple-trees above them, played over her brown tresses, and smooth, white forehead, and made flitting patterns over her simple white frock. Just at this moment, when Harry first observed her, the flush in her cheek, and the tears which trembled like two great diamonds on her drooped eyelashes, made her especially lovely. The rebuke of her self-righteous relative had made the flood to brim over, which the words of the preacher had already caused to rise.

" Shouldn't like to 'umble yourself, you mean," continued ttie aunt, tartly. " A girl that can lead off the dance as spry as you, needn't talk about being afraid to make a show of herself. If you'd dance less, and pray more, you'd be nigher your duty than you are now. If you'd a right sense of your own want of grace, you'd just go down on your face before the hull congregation."

" Maybe I shall gain grace, by and by, if I strive for it," was the quiet reply.

" How long do you 'spose you'll be safe in putting it off ? You're well and hearty, and full of life and spirits to-day ; but to-morrow you may be sick or dead, Susan Carter."

The young man shuddered slightly as this appalling thought was awakened by that loud, unrelenting tone.

" See ! there's more'n a dozen goin' down to the lake to be baptized. They're making sure of their salvation, even before Ihey get their dinners. See how happy they are,— shouting ' glory !' and clapping their hands. Is there any sinful, earthly pleasure that is equal to their joy ?— answer me that ? Come I shall I tell one of the ministers you'd like to be baptized ?"

" Not to-day, Aunt Debby. Indeed, I must have time to think. It's too important an act to decide upon so hastily."

TltE BAPTIZING. »

" Well, Tm done my duty in askin' you. You were always an obstinate, self-willed girl. There comes your father. I reckon he's thinkin' of dinner; but there's the folks to be baptized."

A pleasant-looking, hard-handed, sunburnt farmer, now approached.

Harry was quite certain that this was one of the men ho wished to see, for the name — Carter — was that of one of the intruders upon his domains. He resolved upon accosting liim ; but the whole meeting was at present absorbed in the ceremony of baptism, which was going on. One party stood up on their bench to overlook the scene. When the sweet hymn swelled up, at the close of the sacred rites, Harry was touched alike by the fervent enthusiasm of the people, and the beauty of the place and scene. The limpid clearness of the lake, where it stretched out over a bed of silver sand, before coming to the " jumping-off" place into immeasurable depths, fitted it peculiarly for the office it served. The trees stood around the shore like solemn witnesses.

As the grand old hymn reverberated through the forest, Harry stole a glance at the sweet countenance of Susan, which was all trembling and alight with pure worship and gladness. The slight stain of tears upon her cheeks softened her somewhat brilliant beauty. Rustic as was her white frock, her blue scarf, and kid slippers, she looked so innocent, so maidenly, so refined, that she gave an impression of all womanly sweetness and excellence.

" I shall bo sorry if I've got to put Iter father to trouble," mused Harry.

When the singing ceased, and the crowd began to scatter among the tents and wagons, he introduced himself to Mr. Carter, stating that he had chanced upon the camp, while trying to find his way to his house. Without stopping to inquiic the nature of his business, the squatter gave him a welcome, inviting him to dine with him in his tent. Harry felt reluctant to eat the salt of a man whose interests he was about to interfere with ; but conscious of intending to act with the strictest justice, he concluded to accept the hospitality. It was a pretty sight to him, to sit in the door of the tent, and ccc Susan fill the kettle from a pail of water which her father brought from the lake, and hang it on the crane made by laying a pole across a couple of crotches. With more taste than was displayed by many of their neighbors, she spread a white table-cloth on the grass beside the tent, arranging upon it the cold ham and bread, pickles, and pies, which formed their homely luncheon. When the water boiled, she set the coffee to steeping, and its savory odor, and the fanciful blaze and sparkle of the stick fire, were very pleasant.

All these things Harry noted and enjoyed silently, while he wa* talking sociably with his host. He was not so fastidious but that he relihsed the coffee served up in tin cups, and the jread and meat which each one cut for himself, when they were finally summoned to the table, and waited upon by the half-shy, half-mirthful, Susan.

The elder woman, who had been addressed a3 Aunt Debby by her companion, had been holding a mournful conversation with a young minister upon the subject of the vanity and frivolity of so many extremely young girls, say, those who were younger than herself; and how foolish and indiscreet, to say nothing of sin fal, it would be for a young man, called to serve the Lord, to set his affections upon any of these giddy nigh-flyers, when the summons to luncheon caused her to join 'die family party. When she found herself seated upon the grass opposite a young man, good-looking, well-dressed, and of the most agreeable manners, the sad severity of her countenance melted away like frost beneath the glances of the sun, She took an unobserved opportunity to pinch her cheeks and give a twist to her raven ringlets.

" Comiu' among us to settle, sir ?'' she inquired, in a pungent voice, which was to the ear as sweetened vinegar is f the taste.

" I have hardly decided," answered the young stranger, "I have purchased a large amount of land, and other property in this section of your State ; and if I like the country, I ma/ think it best to stop and look after my possessions myself."

" I must fain hope you'll find it to your interest to do so, sir. We young people feel the need of congenial society very much. It's true there's a good many youth of the opposite eex — more than there are of my own, at present, — but they are scarcely such as we would wish to encourage — that is,,

LUNCHEON \T CAMP-MEETING. 11

Sn<wn and myself— except as mere acquaintance. We shouldn't think of them as partners for life, or any thing of tiuit kind, you know."

Harry darted a swift glance at the young girl, but her eyes were bent upon the coffee-pot, and only the smallest corner of a smile was peeping out from behind her dimples.

"If my interest in the country deepens as rapidly as it threatens to, I shall be unable to tear myself away," he said.

The spinster looked Haltered ; that winning tone and polite bow set her ancient heart in a flutter, under its white vandyke ; but her niece raised her pretty bead with a sudden ^ride, which warned the young gentleman to be more discreet in his compliments.

" At least, I shall long remember this day," he continued, " for this is the first camp-meeting I ever attended."

'■ It's a party spot for a campin' -ground," remarked the squatter.

The smoke curling up among the trees from more than a score of tiny fires ; the groups gathered about them ; the neighing of horses; the odors of violets and mos3, blended with the flavors of the cooking; the gleam of the silver lake; the hum of conversation ; the dim recesses opening back in the woods ; the curiously-contrasted figures of the motley assembly; the occasional shout of "hallelujah!" and "glory!" from some happy soul ; blent with the whoop of mischievous hoys, all went to make up a vivid picture, as novel as it was interesting.

" I don't wonder that last preacher labored as hard as if he was thrashiu' corn, when I think what a set he's i'ightin' with the devil for," continued Mr. Carter, while his guest's eyes dwelt thoughtfully upon the scene. " Thar's some of the hardest cases in this crowd there is in the hull State, and that's sayiu a good deal ; for, if ever a State was overrun with wickedness, it's Isllcklgan. Some folks thinks Arkansaw is wuss, and mebbe it is ; but, to my thinkin', this is gettin' to be about as bad as it can. Why, sir, a third of this ere crowd is blacklegs and boree-thieves. They allers 'tend camp-meetin'. It's a good place to get together, and see what's goin' on. But once and a while one on 'em gets caught before he knows it Some hard-fisted minister knocks the truth right into him,

19 A K01IAXCH OF SQUATTER LIFE.

and he jest gives up. Sometimes, p'raps, just as he's thinkin' up the orfullest wickedness, he'll swallcr soinethin' he's heard, and it'll stick in his throat like a fish-hook, and he can't get away, no, sir ! he's caught the bait, and is ' hauled, spite of himself, straight into the kingdom. One of them that was baptized this noon was Jeff Grimes, one of the hardest cases :n the country. He's been in state-prison twice for counterfeitin' and horse-stealin' ; he can swar a blue streak, git a fellow's watch while he's talkin' a3 friendly as pie with him, and run off any horse he gits his eye on. He came here, I expect, to ply his trade ; but last night, a bullet from the rifle of the Lord's soldier, who was a firin' away from the pulpit thar, hit him plump in the conscience, and down lie went on the ground, as if he was dead. Some of the ministers and women was a workiu' over him half the night. He was in a frightful state of mind. Towards mornin' he got happier, and to-day he's been baptized. One such conversion as that encourages them poor preachers to a hull year of work. They see hard times, them preachers do. They run all kinds of dangers ; set down by anybody's hearthstone that'll give 'em a bed and a meal, and don't ask no thin' but enough to keep 'em alive. I ain't a member of any church, but I tell you what, my cabin is always free to 'em. As for sister Debby here, it's the delight of her life to have a preacher stoppin' at the house;" and the farmer smiled good-naturedly at her. "There's an extra allowance of eggs in the johnny-cakes, and maple-sugar in the tea on them occasions. If she don't marry a Methodist minister yet, it won't be because she hasn't striven hard enough to that end."

" Oh, brother, now you get out ! I shall always do my duty to the servants of the Lord, be they married or otherwise. But I'm by no means set on one for a husband. Any good man — that is, one not specially bad, would not be refused by me if I wished to marry, which you know, I do not. They're always teasing me about matrimony," she continued, with a youthful smile directed to their guest, " when nothing can be farther from my thoughts. You won't mind them, now, will you, sir ?" with a slight coquettishuess. " If I wished to assume connubial relations, I should have done so years ago— VLat is, a. few years ago, before I wa3 twenty. It is sometime rsxvai~y>ssama, 13

bo painful Jo refuse the solicilatians of the other sex, and so distressing to witness the despair hurled upon a noble heart by an unmitigated negative, that I have several times been almost induced— but of this no more."

" It must be a cruel task for the fair and gentle hand of woman to perform so severe a work as that of heaping despair upon a breaking heart," responded Harry, with a gallantry that was delightful to its recipient " But, perhaps, all are not so sensitive to giving pain as yourself. Some women, I could imagine, would take pleasure in tormenting the hearts in their power ;" and he looked over at Susan.

" Aunt Debby, they're going to sing."

" Oh, my ! I must join them, then. They need my help very much. You will put away the things, Susan;" and she hurried forward into the ring which surrounded the minister, who was leading the hymn.

Harry could clearly distinguish that shrill voice rising above all others, and soaring alone through the tree-tops with an ear-piercing exultation that was surprising.

"If you want to talk on business," said the squatter, "come down here under the shelter of that little bank by the lake. We can set there and talk, undisturbed. It ain't hardly respectful to be taking care of our worldly affairs right here in the very hearin' of the gospel. When the things are put away, you'd better join your aunt, Susan;" and the two men strolled out of the crowd, down to a cool and quiet nook, where a mound in the land had shelved off into the water, leaving half the roots of the tree it held, exposed to the air, and beneath those roots a dry beach of silvery sand, and a flat stone, upon which they seated themselves to discusp business.

14 A ROMANCE OF SQUATTER LIFS.

Chapter II

squatter's troubles.

When this talk was over, the two arose, and Harry Gardiner, looking flushed and displeased, mounted his horse, and rode along in search of the nearest tavern, while Enos Carter, pale with anger, moved hither and thither in the congregation, speaking to this one and that, who immediately left their places, and followed him out of hearing of the meeting into the depths of the grove, where violent words and excited gestures broke forth without restraint.

When Harry had started for the West to look up his property, and claim his rights, he had small idea of the disagreeable and even dangerous nature of his business. He had heard that a whole band of emigrants, from one of the eastern states, had squatted upon his land the previous year. He was sorry for the disappointment they must suffer when they found they had appropriated purchased land ; but he felt, at the same time, that they should have been more careful in their choice. He was resolved to pay them, as far as was in his power, for the improvements they had made, or to sell them their farms for the sum he had paid for them, which was certainly a just and generous offer ; very generous, since he purchased to speculate, and had expected to sell for a handsome advance.

But the moment he opened the subject with Mr. Carter, the man had grown angry and unreasonable. There had been, with others in their vicinity, so much trouble in the same way, or by squatters not entering their land, and having it afterward sold from them, that one of those deep and deadly prejudices, which took such rank hold in new and ignorant communities, had sprung up among these squatters, and they had sworn to yield their assumed rights to no man. Coming to the West with just means enough to put up a shanty to shelter them, and to pay for provisions until they could raise squatter's imphovements. tft

them, tliey settled wherever they pleased, without paying the government for their farms, and, in many eases, without entering them ; so that, when the land came to he surveyed and put up for sale, it was hought away from them.

In this particular case, they had chanced upon a section already sold to Harry Gardiner, who, having money which lie wished to invest, had employed an agent to look up promising western land for him. He had paid the government price tor it, and lain out of his money two years, and he naturally felt very little like abandoning his claim.

On the other hand, these men, in their ignorance, somewhat mistaking the nature of the laws, and firmly believing that in the new country men were entitled to all they could cultivate, had, unfortunately, put their little worldly-all into improvements. For over a year they had worked hard, enduring the privations of settler's lives. They had built themselves log-cabins, and filled them with rude furniture. All winter they had felled trees and split fence-rails, and now the grain had jnst been harvested for the first time, from the fields they had fenced in. As for selling these places for the bare worth of the improvements, and taking their wives and little ones to another v .iferness, there to pass through another series of hardships, wats not to be thought of peaceably. And as to paying even government prices for their farms, it would take the gains of three years to do it at least.

After setting fire to the smoldering passions of his companions, Mr. Carter sat aside, thinking gloomily of the threatened misfortune. The picture of his neat log cabin, with its two rooms and a loft, rose vividly before him. He saw the wild-rose which Susan had planted, clambering over the window, and the little vegetable garden in the rear, and the border of wild blue violets around the front of the house. He had promised himself to buy a yoke of oxen with the monej made off the grain this year, that he might have the wherewithal to raise a larger crop another season. But all thai money, and all he could earn for several years, would be swal lowed up, and he would be still pool-, and crippled for want of machinery to work with. Or, if he abandoned the place, there was that weary beginning over again. Susan's busy fingers and pretty tastes bad already invested his cabin with

16 A KOMANCE OF SQUATTER LIFE.

the charms of home ; the neighbors were, most of them, old acquaintances, and life had begun to look promising and cheerful, before this thunder-cloud gathered in their sky.

" Sue's seventeen now, and when she's twenty I shall be as bad off as I am now. Industrious and careful as she is, I shan't have nothing to set her up in life with, and buy her the fixin's she deserves, if she should take it into her head to get married. I don't care so much for myself, nor even for sister Debby ; but Sue— I swear I'll fight to the death before I give up* an inch."

Enos Carter was the leading man in the band of neighbors who had come west together ; not on account of being any richer than the rest of them, for he was not; but he had rather more education than the others, and a good deal of executive talent ; and there had been a time when he was in easy circumstances. Susan had snugly laid away in the old-fashioned bureau, which was one of the few articles of furniture they had brought with them, many relics of the former better estate of her parents; carefully preserved garments of that mother, who died when she was a little girl. There were linen sheets and pillow-cases, spun and woven by then owner for the bridal outfit ; the wedding-dress itself, of handsome brocade ; a black lace vail; a set of silver tea-spoons, and three long spoons ; a string of gold beads, which Susan sometimes brought forth on festive occasions. The very white dress which she had worn to the camp-meeting had once been her mother's, and was the finest of old-fashioned India mull, tucked half-way up the skirt, and with real thread-lace sewed around the neck. Other remains there were of those articles of dress and furniture, common to the best class of eastern farmers, whose daughters rivaled those of their city cousins in solid education, if not in showy accomplishments. Susan's mother had been the belle of her county when she was a girl ; she could paint in watercolors; write as handsome a hand as the writing-master; parse equal to the smartest young man ; and dance better than any other girl on the shores of Lake Ontario. Susan was an only child; her mother had died when she was a little girl, and her father's sister, Deborah, had taken her place as manager of the household. Aunt Debby had a good many little weaknesses, and was by no means so good a person to bring

RIDE IIIM ON A RAIL. 1?

np a young maiden as the mother would have been, had she Veen spared ; but Susan, by means of inherited grace and good sense, grew up as much like her mother as possible. It was not strange that this child was the idol of her father ; and that,, when reverses came upon him, and times grew hard, and living poor in their native State, he resolved, for lier sake, to emigrate to a new country, where a few years of labor would enable him to gratify his ambition for her.

Thinking all this over, and the many disappointments of his life, in connection with the new trouble coining upon him, the squatter rose, and strode among the high-talking company.

" Neighbors and friends," said he, " I swar, for one, to fight it out."

" And I," " and I," echoed all the rest.

" We'll hang that dandified youngster on the nearest tree, before we'll allow him to interfere with what's ours," exclaimed a low-bred, ugly-looking man, the roughest of the set.

" No, no, neighbor ; we'll not make ourselves liable to the law," interposed Enos Carter ; " but we'll scare him out of it. We'll frighten him, so he won't want to show his face in these parts again."

" We'll give him a coat of tar and feathers ; ha ! ha ! ha I It'll become him better than the broadcloth coat he wears," spoke another.

" We've got plenty of rails— we'll give him a ride," joined a third.

Out of all the number, there was not one man to acknowledge the rights of the young landowner, or to place his position in the light of justice before the rest — so does self-interest blind the eyes, and prejudice deafen the ears of people ; and when these two are united with ignorance, the result may be dreaded, both by large institutions and by single individuals. All good which might have resulted from the preaching, was flow overthrown in the disturbed mind of Mr. Carter; and npon returning to camp, he struck his tent, packed up its contents in the wagon, hitched to it the one horse, which had been his only servant through the labors of the year, called his sister and daughter away from the sermon, and drove home m ominous silence.