The specter of a wronged,
persecuted race ever haunted the white man's conscience. In vain did
the red man breast the rising tide of civilization. In their sacred
tepees, their medicine men invoked the aid of their great Spirit and
they were answered.
The Spirit sent them for an ally, an army of grasshoppers, which
darkened the sun by its countless numbers. It impeded the progress of
the iron horse, but not for long. Then he sent them continued drouth,
but the pale face heeded not. "Onward, westward ever, the star of
empire took its course."
We camped out on the prairie within a short distance and in full
sight of the town. I made the acquaintance of a merchant, Mr. Samuel
Dreifuss, who kept a little store of general merchandise. This
gentleman liked to converse with me in the German tongue and was very
kind to me, even offering to employ me at a liberal salary, which I,
of course, thankfully declined. One morning after breakfast I went to
this store to purchase an article of apparel. The door was unlocked
and I entered, but found no one present. I waited a while, and as Mr.
Dreifuss did not appear, I knocked at the bedroom door, which was
connected with the store. Receiving no response to my knocks, I
opened the door and entered.
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