"Andbelieveme，myfriend，"saidI，steppingup，andgraspinghim
　　warmlybythehand，"believemeshecanbethesamewithyou。Ay，
　　more：itwillbeasourceofprideandtriumphtoher—itwillcall
　　forthallthelatentenergiesandferventsympathiesofhernature；
　　forshewillrejoicetoprovethatshelovesyouforyourself。There
　　isineverytruewoman’sheartasparkofheavenlyfire，whichlies
　　dormantinthebroaddaylightofprosperity；butwhichkindlesup，and
　　beamsandblazesinthedarkhourofadversity。Nomanknowswhat
　　thewifeofhisbosomis—nomanknowswhataministeringangelshe
　　is—untilhehasgonewithherthroughthefierytrialsofthis
　　world。"
　　Therewassomethingintheearnestnessofmymanner，andthe
　　figurativestyleofmylanguage，thatcaughttheexcitedimagination
　　ofLeslie。IknewtheauditorIhadtodealwith；andfollowingupthe
　　impressionIhadmade，Ifinishedbypersuadinghimtogohomeand
　　unburdenhissadhearttohiswife。
　　Imustconfess，notwithstandingallIhadsaid，Ifeltsomelittle
　　solicitudefortheresult。Whocancalculateonthefortitudeofone
　　whoselifehasbeenaroundofpleasures？Hergayspiritsmightrevolt
　　atthedarkdownwardpathoflowhumilitysuddenlypointedout
　　beforeher，andmightclingtothesunnyregionsinwhichtheyhad
　　hithertorevelled。Besides，ruininfashionablelifeisaccompaniedby
　　somanygallingmortifications，towhichinotherranksitisa
　　stranger。—Inshort，IcouldnotmeetLesliethenextmorning
　　withouttrepidation。Hehadmadethedisclosure。
　　"Andhowdidshebearit？"
　　"Likeanangel！Itseemedrathertobearelieftohermind，forshe
　　threwherarmsroundmyneck，andaskedifthiswasallthathad
　　latelymademeunhappy。—But，poorgirl，"addedhe，"shecannot
　　realizethechangewemustundergo。Shehasnoideaofpovertybut
　　intheabstract；shehasonlyreadofitinpoetry，whereitisallied
　　tolove。Shefeelsasyetnoprivation；shesuffersnolossof
　　accustomedconveniencesnorelegancies。Whenwecomepracticallyto
　　experienceitssordidcares，itspaltrywants，itspettyhumiliations—
　　thenwillbetherealtrial。"
　　"But，"saidI，"nowthatyouhavegotovertheseveresttask，that
　　ofbreakingittoher，thesooneryoulettheworldintothesecret
　　thebetter。Thedisclosuremaybemortifying；butthenitisa
　　singlemisery，andsoonover：whereasyouotherwisesufferit，in
　　anticipation，everyhourintheday。Itisnotpovertysomuchas
　　pretence，thatharassesaruinedman—thestrugglebetweenaproud
　　mindandanemptypurse—thekeepingupahollowshowthatmustsoon
　　cometoanend。Havethecouragetoappearpoorandyoudisarmpoverty
　　ofitssharpeststing。"OnthispointIfoundLeslieperfectly
　　prepared。Hehadnofalsepridehimself，andastohiswife，shewas
　　onlyanxioustoconformtotheiralteredfortunes。
　　Somedaysafterwardshecalleduponmeintheevening。Hehad
　　disposedofhisdwellinghouse，andtakenasmallcottageinthe
　　country，afewmilesfromtown。Hehadbeenbusiedalldayin
　　sendingoutfurniture。Thenewestablishmentrequiredfewarticles，
　　andthoseofthesimplestkind。Allthesplendidfurnitureofhislate
　　residencehadbeensold，exceptinghiswife’sharp。That，hesaid，was
　　toocloselyassociatedwiththeideaofherself；itbelongedtothe
　　littlestoryoftheirloves；forsomeofthesweetestmomentsoftheir
　　courtshipwerethosewhenhehadleanedoverthatinstrument，and
　　listenedtothemeltingtonesofhervoice。Icouldnotbutsmileat
　　thisinstanceofromanticgallantryinadotinghusband。
　　Hewasnowgoingouttothecottage，wherehiswifehadbeenallday
　　superintendingitsarrangement。Myfeelingshadbecomestrongly
　　interestedintheprogressofthisfamilystory，and，asitwasafine
　　evening，Iofferedtoaccompanyhim。
　　Hewasweariedwiththefatiguesoftheday，and，ashewalked
　　out，fellintoafitofgloomymusing。
　　"PoorMary！"atlengthbroke，withaheavysigh，fromhislips。
　　"Andwhatofher？"askedI："hasanythinghappenedtoher？"
　　"What，"saidhe，dartinganimpatientglance，"isitnothingtobe
　　reducedtothispaltrysituation—tobecagedinamiserable
　　cottage—tobeobligedtotoilalmostinthemenialconcernsofher
　　wretchedhabitation？"
　　"Hasshethenrepinedatthechange？"
　　"Repined！shehasbeennothingbutsweetnessandgoodhumor。Indeed，
　　sheseemsinbetterspiritsthanIhaveeverknownher；shehasbeen
　　tomealllove，andtenderness，andcomfort！"
　　"Admirablegirl！"exclaimedI。"Youcallyourselfpoor，myfriend；
　　youneverweresorich—youneverknewtheboundlesstreasuresof
　　excellenceyoupossessinthatwoman。"
　　"Oh！but，myfriend，ifthisfirstmeetingatthecottagewereover，
　　IthinkIcouldthenbecomfortable。Butthisisherfirstdayofreal
　　experience；shehasbeenintroducedintoahumbledwelling—shehas
　　beenemployedalldayinarrangingitsmiserableequipments—she
　　has，forthefirsttime，knownthefatiguesofdomesticemployment—
　　shehas，forthefirsttime，lookedroundheronahomedestituteof
　　everythingelegant，—almostofeverythingconvenient；andmaynowbe
　　sittingdown，exhaustedandspiritless，broodingoveraprospectof
　　futurepoverty。"
　　TherewasadegreeofprobabilityinthispicturethatIcouldnot
　　gainsay，sowewalkedoninsilence。
　　Afterturningfromthemainroadupanarrowlane，sothicklyshaded
　　withforesttreesastogiveitacompleteairofseclusion，wecame
　　insightofthecottage。Itwashumbleenoughinitsappearancefor
　　themostpastoralpoet；andyetithadapleasingrurallook。Awild
　　vinehadoverrunoneendwithaprofusionoffoliage；afewtrees
　　threwtheirbranchesgracefullyoverit；andIobservedseveralpots
　　offlowerstastefullydisposedaboutthedoor，andonthegrass—plot
　　infront。Asmallwicketgateopeneduponafootpaththatwound
　　throughsomeshrubberytothedoor。Justasweapproached，weheard
　　thesoundofmusic—Lesliegraspedmyarm；wepausedandlistened。
　　ItwasMary’svoicesinging，inastyleofthemosttouching
　　simplicity，alittleairofwhichherhusbandwaspeculiarlyfond。
　　IfeltLeslie’shandtrembleonmyarm。Hesteppedforwardtohear
　　moredistinctly。Hisstepmadeanoiseonthegravelwalk。Abright
　　beautifulfaceglancedoutatthewindowandvanished—alight
　　footstepwasheardandMarycametrippingforthtomeetus：shewasin
　　aprettyruraldressofwhite；afewwildflowersweretwistedin
　　herfinehair；afreshbloomwasonhercheek；herwholecountenance
　　beamedwithsmiles—Ihadneverseenherlooksolovely。
　　"MydearGeorge，"criedshe，"Iamsogladyouarecome！Ihavebeen
　　watchingandwatchingforyou；andrunningdownthelane，and
　　lookingoutforyou。I’vesetoutatableunderabeautifultree
　　behindthecottage；andI’vebeengatheringsomeofthemostdelicious
　　strawberries，forIknowyouarefondofthem—andwehavesuch
　　excellentcream—andeverythingissosweetandstillhere—Oh！"said
　　she，puttingherarmwithinhis，andlookingupbrightlyinhis
　　face，"Oh，weshallbesohappy！"
　　PoorLesliewasovercome。Hecaughthertohisbosom—hefolded
　　hisarmsroundher—hekissedheragainandagain—hecouldnotspeak，
　　butthetearsgushedintohiseyes；andhehasoftenassuredme，
　　thatthoughtheworldhassincegoneprosperouslywithhim，andhis
　　lifehas，indeed，beenahappyone，yetneverhasheexperienceda
　　momentofmoreexquisitefelicity。
　　THEEND。
　　1819—20
　　THESKETCHBOOK
　　TRAITSOFINDIANCHARACTER
　　byWashingtonIrving
　　"IappealtoanywhitemanifeverheenteredLogan’scabin
　　hungry，andhegavehimnottoeat；ifeverhecamecoldandnaked，
　　andheclothedhimnot。"
　　SPEECHOFANINDIANCHIEF。
　　THEREissomethinginthecharacterandhabitsoftheNorthAmerican
　　savage，takeninconnectionwiththesceneryoverwhichheis
　　accustomedtorange，itsvastlakes，boundlessforests，majestic
　　rivers，andtracklessplains，thatis，tomymind，wonderfully
　　strikingandsublime。Heisformedforthewilderness，astheArab
　　isforthedesert。Hisnatureisstern，simpleandenduring；fittedto
　　grapplewithdifficulties，andtosupportprivations。Thereseems
　　butlittlesoilinhisheartforthesupportofthekindlyvirtues；
　　andyet，ifwewouldbuttakethetroubletopenetratethroughthat
　　proudstoicismandhabitualtaciturnity，whichlockuphischaracter
　　fromcasualobservation，weshouldfindhimlinkedtohisfellow—man
　　ofcivilizedlifebymoreofthosesympathiesandaffectionsthan
　　areusuallyascribedtohim。
　　IthasbeenthelotoftheunfortunateaboriginesofAmerica，inthe
　　earlyperiodsofcolonization，tobedoublywrongedbythewhite
　　men。Theyhavebeendispossessedoftheirhereditarypossessionsby
　　mercenaryandfrequentlywantonwarfare：andtheircharactershave
　　beentraducedbybigotedandinterestedwriters。Thecolonistoften
　　treatedthemlikebeastsoftheforest；andtheauthorhas
　　endeavoredtojustifyhiminhisoutrages。Theformerfoundit
　　easiertoexterminatethantocivilize；thelattertovilifythanto
　　discriminate。Theappellationsofsavageandpaganweredeemed
　　sufficienttosanctionthehostilitiesofboth；andthusthepoor
　　wanderersoftheforestwerepersecutedanddefamed，notbecause
　　theywereguilty，butbecausetheywereignorant。
　　Therightsofthesavagehaveseldombeenproperlyappreciatedor
　　respectedbythewhiteman。Inpeacehehastoooftenbeenthedupeof
　　artfultraffic；inwarhehasbeenregardedasaferociousanimal，
　　whoselifeordeathwasaquestionofmereprecautionandconvenience。
　　Maniscruellywastefuloflifewhenhisownsafetyisendangered，and
　　heisshelteredbyimpunity；andlittlemercyistobeexpectedfrom
　　him，whenhefeelsthestingofthereptileandisconsciousofthe
　　powertodestroy。
　　Thesameprejudices，whichwereindulgedthusearly，existincommon
　　circulationatthepresentday。Certainlearnedsocietieshave，it
　　istrue，withlaudablediligence，endeavoredtoinvestigateandrecord
　　therealcharactersandmannersoftheIndiantribes；theAmerican
　　government，too，haswiselyandhumanelyexerteditselftoinculcatea
　　friendlyandforbearingspirittowardsthem，andtoprotectthem
　　fromfraudandinjustice。*ThecurrentopinionoftheIndian
　　character，however，istooapttobeformedfromthemiserable
　　hordeswhichinfestthefrontiers，andhangontheskirtsofthe
　　settlements。Thesearetoocommonlycomposedofdegeneratebeings，
　　corruptedandenfeebledbythevicesofsociety，withoutbeing
　　benefitedbyitscivilization。Thatproudindependence，whichformed
　　themainpillarofsavagevirtue，hasbeenshakendown，andthe
　　wholemoralfabricliesinruins。Theirspiritsarehumiliatedand
　　debasedbyasenseofinferiority，andtheirnativecouragecowed
　　anddauntedbythesuperiorknowledgeandpoweroftheirenlightened
　　neighbors。Societyhasadvanceduponthemlikeoneofthose
　　witheringairsthatwillsometimesbreeddesolationoverawhole
　　regionoffertility。Ithasenervatedtheirstrength，multipliedtheir
　　diseases，andsuperinducedupontheiroriginalbarbaritythelowvices
　　ofartificiallife。Ithasgiventhemathousandsuperfluouswants，
　　whilstithasdiminishedtheirmeansofmereexistence。Ithas
　　drivenbeforeittheanimalsofthechase，whoflyfromthesoundof
　　theaxeandthesmokeofthesettlement，andseekrefugeinthedepths
　　ofremoterforestsandyetuntroddenwilds。Thusdowetoooften
　　findtheIndiansonourfrontierstobethemerewrecksandremnants
　　ofoncepowerfultribes，whohavelingeredinthevicinityofthe
　　settlements，andsunkintoprecariousandvagabondexistence。Poverty，
　　repiningandhopelesspoverty，acankerofthemindunknownin
　　savagelife，corrodestheirspirits，andblightseveryfreeand
　　noblequalityoftheirnatures。Theybecomedrunken，indolent，feeble，
　　thievish，andpusillanimous。Theyloiterlikevagrantsaboutthe
　　settlements，amongspaciousdwellingsrepletewithelaboratecomforts，
　　whichonlyrenderthemsensibleofthecomparativewretchednessof
　　theirowncondition。Luxuryspreadsitsampleboardbeforetheireyes；
　　buttheyareexcludedfromthebanquet。Plentyrevelsoverthefields；
　　buttheyarestarvinginthemidstofitsabundance：thewhole
　　wildernesshasblossomedintoagarden；buttheyfeelasreptilesthat
　　infestit。
　　*TheAmericangovernmenthasbeenindefatigableinitsexertionsto
　　amelioratethesituationoftheIndians，andtointroduceamongthem
　　theartsofcivilization，andcivilandreligiousknowledge。To
　　protectthemfromthefraudsofthewhitetraders，nopurchaseofland
　　fromthembyindividualsispermitted；norisanypersonallowedto
　　receivelandsfromthemasapresent，withouttheexpresssanction
　　ofgovernment。Theseprecautionsarestrictlyenforced。
　　Howdifferentwastheirstatewhileyettheundisputedlordsof
　　thesoil！Theirwantswerefew，andthemeansofgratification
　　withintheirreach。Theysaweveryonearoundthemsharingthesame
　　lot，enduringthesamehardships，feedingonthesamealiments，
　　arrayedinthesamerudegarments。Noroofthenrose，butwasopen
　　tothehomelessstranger；nosmokecurledamongthetrees，buthe
　　waswelcometositdownbyitsfire，andjointhehunterinhis
　　repast。"For，"saysanoldhistorianofNewEngland，"theirlifeisso
　　voidofcare，andtheyaresolovingalso，thattheymakeuseofthose
　　thingstheyenjoyascommongoods，andarethereinsocompassionate，
　　thatratherthanoneshouldstarvethroughwant，theywouldstarve
　　all；thustheypasstheirtimemerrily，notregardingourpomp，but
　　arebettercontentwiththeirown，whichsomemenesteemsomeanly
　　of。"SuchweretheIndians，whilstintheprideandenergyoftheir
　　primitivenatures：theyresembledthosewildplants，whichthrivebest
　　intheshadesoftheforest，butshrinkfromthehandof
　　cultivation，andperishbeneaththeinfluenceofthesun。
　　Indiscussingthesavagecharacter，writershavebeentooproneto
　　indulgeinvulgarprejudiceandpassionateexaggeration，insteadof
　　thecandidtemperoftruephilosophy。Theyhavenotsufficiently
　　consideredthepeculiarcircumstancesinwhichtheIndianshavebeen
　　placed，andthepeculiarprinciplesunderwhichtheyhavebeen
　　educated。NobeingactsmorerigidlyfromrulethantheIndian。His
　　wholeconductisregulatedaccordingtosomegeneralmaximsearly
　　implantedinhismind。Themorallawsthatgovernhimare，tobesure，
　　butfew；butthenheconformstothemall；—thewhitemanaboundsin
　　lawsofreligion，morals，andmanners，buthowmanydoesheviolate？
　　AfrequentgroundofaccusationagainsttheIndiansistheir
　　disregardoftreaties，andthetreacheryandwantonnesswithwhich，in
　　timeofapparentpeace，theywillsuddenlyflytohostilities。The
　　intercourseofthewhitemenwiththeIndians，however，istooapt
　　tobecold，distrustful，oppressive，andinsulting。Theyseldom
　　treatthemwiththatconfidenceandfranknesswhichare
　　indispensabletorealfriendship；norissufficientcautionobserved
　　nottooffendagainstthosefeelingsofprideorsuperstition，which
　　oftenpromptstheIndiantohostilityquickerthanmereconsiderations
　　ofinterest。Thesolitarysavagefeelssilently，butacutely。His
　　sensibilitiesarenotdiffusedoversowideasurfaceasthoseof
　　thewhiteman；buttheyruninsteadieranddeeperchannels。His
　　pride，hisaffections，hissuperstitions，arealldirectedtowards
　　fewerobjects；butthewoundsinflictedonthemareproportionably
　　severe，andfurnishmotivesofhostility，whichwecannotsufficiently
　　appreciate。Whereacommunityisalsolimitedinnumber，andformsone
　　greatpatriarchalfamily，asinanIndiantribe，theinjuryofan
　　individualistheinjuryofthewhole；andthesentimentof
　　vengeanceisalmostinstantaneouslydiffused。Onecouncilfireis
　　sufficientforthediscussionandarrangementofaplanof
　　hostilities。Hereallthefightingmenandsagesassemble。Eloquence
　　andsuperstitioncombinetoinflamethemindsofthewarriors。The
　　oratorawakenstheirmartialardor，andtheyarewroughtuptoa
　　kindofreligiousdesperation，bythevisionsoftheprophetandthe
　　dreamer。
　　Aninstanceofoneofthosesuddenexasperations，arisingfroma
　　motivepeculiartotheIndiancharacter，isextantinanoldrecordof
　　theearlysettlementofMassachusetts。TheplantersofPlymouthhad
　　defacedthemonumentsofthedeadatPassonagessit，andhad
　　plunderedthegraveoftheSachem’smotherofsomeskinswithwhichit
　　hadbeendecorated。TheIndiansareremarkableforthereverencewhich
　　theyentertainforthesepulchresoftheirkindred。Tribesthathave
　　passedgenerationsexiledfromtheabodesoftheirancestors，when
　　bychancetheyhavebeentravellinginthevicinity，havebeenknown
　　toturnasidefromthehighway，andguidedbywonderfullyaccurate
　　tradition，havecrossedthecountryformilestosometumulus，
　　buriedperhapsinwoods，wherethebonesoftheirtribewereanciently
　　deposited；andtherehavepassedhoursinsilentmeditation。
　　Influencedbythissublimeandholyfeeling，theSachem，whose
　　mother’stombhadbeenviolated，gatheredhismentogether，and
　　addressedtheminthefollowingbeautifullysimpleandpathetic
　　harangue；acuriousspecimenofIndianeloquence，andanaffecting
　　instanceoffilialpietyinasavage。
　　"Whenlastthegloriouslightofalltheskywasunderneaththis
　　globe，andbirdsgrewsilent，Ibegantosettle，asmycustomis，to
　　takerepose。Beforemineeyeswerefastclosed，methoughtIsawa
　　vision，atwhichmyspiritwasmuchtroubled；andtremblingatthat
　　dolefulsight，aspiritcriedaloud，’Behold，myson，whomIhave
　　cherished，seethebreaststhatgavetheesuck，thehandsthat
　　lappedtheewarm，andfedtheeoft。Canstthouforgettotake
　　revengeofthosewildpeoplewhohavedefacedmymonumentina
　　despitefulmanner，disdainingourantiquitiesandhonorablecustoms？
　　See，now，theSachem’sgravelieslikethecommonpeople，defacedby
　　anignoblerace。Thymotherdothcomplain，andimploresthyaid
　　againstthisthievishpeople，whohavenewlyintrudedonourland。
　　Ifthisbesuffered，Ishallnotrestquietinmyeverlasting
　　habitation。’Thissaid，thespiritvanished，andI，allinasweat，
　　notablescarcetospeak，begantogetsomestrength，andrecollectmy
　　spiritsthatwerefled，anddeterminedtodemandyourcounseland
　　assistance。"
　　Ihaveadducedthisanecdoteatsomelength，asittendstoshowhow
　　thesesuddenactsofhostility，whichhavebeenattributedto
　　capriceandperfidy，mayoftenarisefromdeepandgenerousmotives，
　　whichourinattentiontoIndiancharacterandcustomspreventsour
　　properlyappreciating。
　　AnothergroundofviolentoutcryagainsttheIndiansistheir
　　barbaritytothevanquished。Thishaditsoriginpartlyinpolicy
　　andpartlyinsuperstition。Thetribes，thoughsometimescalled
　　nations，wereneversoformidableintheirnumbers，butthatthe
　　lossofseveralwarriorswassensiblyfelt；thiswasparticularly
　　thecasewhentheyhadbeenfrequentlyengagedinwarfare；andmanyan
　　instanceoccursinIndianhistory，whereatribe，thathadlongbeen
　　formidabletoitsneighbors，hasbeenbrokenupanddrivenaway，by
　　thecaptureandmassacreofitsprincipalfightingmen。Therewasa
　　strongtemptation，therefore，tothevictortobemerciless；notso
　　muchtogratifyanycruelrevenge，astoprovideforfuture
　　security。TheIndianshadalsothesuperstitiousbelief，frequent
　　amongbarbarousnations，andprevalentalsoamongtheancients，that
　　themanesoftheirfriendswhohadfalleninbattleweresoothedby
　　thebloodofthecaptives。Theprisoners，however，whoarenotthus
　　sacrificed，areadoptedintotheirfamiliesintheplaceoftheslain，
　　andaretreatedwiththeconfidenceandaffectionofrelativesand
　　friends；nay，sohospitableandtenderistheirentertainment，that
　　whenthealternativeisofferedthem，theywilloftenprefertoremain
　　withtheiradoptedbrethren，ratherthanreturntothehomeandthe
　　friendsoftheiryouth。
　　ThecrueltyoftheIndianstowardstheirprisonershasbeen
　　heightenedsincethecolonizationofthewhites。Whatwasformerlya
　　compliancewithpolicyandsuperstition，hasbeenexasperatedintoa
　　gratificationofvengeance。Theycannotbutbesensiblethatthewhite
　　menaretheusurpersoftheirancientdominion，thecauseoftheir
　　degradation，andthegradualdestroyersoftheirrace。Theygoforth
　　tobattle，smartingwithinjuriesandindignitieswhichtheyhave
　　individuallysuffered，andtheyaredriventomadnessanddespairby
　　thewide—spreadingdesolation，andtheoverwhelmingruinofEuropean
　　warfare。Thewhiteshavetoofrequentlysetthemanexampleof
　　violence，byburningtheirvillages，andlayingwastetheirslender
　　meansofsubsistence：andyettheywonderthatsavagesdonotshow
　　moderationandmagnanimitytowardsthosewhohaveleftthemnothing
　　butmereexistenceandwretchedness。
　　WestigmatizetheIndians，also，ascowardlyandtreacherous，
　　becausetheyusestratageminwarfare，inpreferencetoopenforce；
　　butinthistheyarefullyjustifiedbytheirrudecodeofhonor。They
　　areearlytaughtthatstratagemispraiseworthy；thebravestwarrior
　　thinksitnodisgracetolurkinsilence，andtakeeveryadvantage
　　ofhisfoe：hetriumphsinthesuperiorcraftandsagacitybywhichhe
　　hasbeenenabledtosurpriseanddestroyanenemy。Indeed，manis
　　naturallymorepronetosubtilitythanopenvalor，owingtohis
　　physicalweaknessincomparisonwithotheranimals。Theyareendowed
　　withnaturalweaponsofdefence：withhorns，withtusks，withhoofs，
　　andtalons；butmanhastodependonhissuperiorsagacity。Inallhis
　　encounterswiththese，hisproperenemies，heresortstostratagem；
　　andwhenheperverselyturnshishostilityagainsthisfellow—man，
　　heatfirstcontinuesthesamesubtlemodeofwarfare。