The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-06-27
From the .Nep York Traveller.
GENEROSITY.-AN INDIAN STORY.


services, generosity, and other such ma
tiers as are lutte known, though often mer
TONED, inquire what his character is. i
order to discover his meaning. For in
stance, when - boasts of The service
he has rendered his country, know. know
| ing his character, that he speaks of hi
electioneering efforts in favor of -. mad
with the sole view OF getting an Office.
There are great many English word
which vary their meaning, according to tn
character of those who Use them. Gener
oslty is one OF them. Some bestow thei
| prayers on others, and consider themselve
! generous, though they refuse more effectu
| al assistance. Others will give money, bu
| Will not make the slightest exertion to ben
eht their neighbors. Khoyapa, the Teton
never looked into dictionary in the Who'll,
course of his life, yet think it will he adj
mltted by all who read the following tale
that he knew the true meaning of generos
ity.
Khoyapa and Chunkooamanee were bor,
and bred in certain mud village, on tn,
left bank of the Missouri, about eight HIM
dred miles above Council Bluffs. The,
shot their arrows at the same mark anc
scared the blackbirds from the same com.
field while they we're boys and drove their
horses against the same enemy when thew
arrived at mans estate. They were the
Orestes and Pylades, the David and Jona-
than OF their tribe. However, their friend
ship was founded on no peculiar coincidence
of feeling or sentiment.
AT the age when Indian BOYS first assume
the toga UiUitis, and take their places in
council among men, it is common for them
TO prove their manhood, by :rouncing their
mothers. Chunkooamanee, who was re-
markable for temper, which made him fire.
quently draw his knife on his playfellows.
gave his poor old mamma SUCH a beating
with his slack bow, that her back could moi
endure burthen for q month after, This
was but justice, for she lad spoiled him by
Indulgence, and had often praised such
proofs of his valor, when exerted on others.
Khoyapa celebrated his coming of age in
another manner. He started alone for the
Pawnee village, entered it in the night. and
brought away scalp and female prison.
er. The latter he gave to his mother, the
old lady being now too infirm to labor as
she WAS won't
A great match at ball was to be plaved
by all the young men of the tribe, and our
two friends were appointed, as being the
swftest of foot of all the Tetons, 10 lead
the opposing sides. This game is some
thing like cricket, but on II grander scale.
Bounds are set, a mile or more apart. over
which the players strive to force the ball
with kind of bats. The party that forces
the ball over the opposite boundary are de-
clared the winners. Many were the bets
laid, and great was the excitement of the
players on this occasion. At each boupda-
ny stood post, painted and decorated with
feathers, and to each post were tied the
horses, which had been slaked on the issue
of the game. A board Of the Teton elders
were seated hard by, constituted by age
and immemoral custom, judges of the field,
and distributors OF the robes, guns and 9TH
er valuahes, which lay at their feet, and
were now to change owners.
The first days play brought no decisive
result. The hall was frequently driven
close to the boundaries, but was never suf-
tered to cross them. On the second day,
toward sunset, Khoyapa had gotten the ball
close to the line. No one was near. to him
der him from striking it over, hut Chunkoo.
amanee, who now rushed forward with the
hope and expectation of reaching il before
1t could pass by the boundary. He could
have done so, but that he unfortunately
stumbled and fell, and the next momen. he
had the modification Of seeing Khoyapa
give the ball the final stroke, and of hear
ing the reclamation Of The spectators.
The elders unanimously declared that
Khoyapa's side had won the game, and
we're about to award the prizes, when the
successful leader begged to be heard. He
had seen Chunkooamanee retire TO a dis
lance, and throw himself on the ground in
paroxysm of rage and vexaton, and now
declared that he had not won the game
fairly. " In the heat of the race" said he,
81 trpped him and he fell Without this
he would have reached the ball first and
sent it back again, for he is swlfter than I.
Wherefore, | say, come hither o Chunkoo-
amanee, and cheer no, and be angry no
longer"
In consideration of this alleged foul play
the elders reversed their judgment, and the
stakes were delivered to the party of Chun-
kooamanee. That civilized vice, stingi-
ness, forms no part Of the Indian character.
The losers forgot their losses in admiration
Of Khoyapa's generosity. The air resound-
ed with reiterated acclamations, and both
sides were Satisfaction neither had been
beaten.
Nevertheless an arrangement took place
between the two friends, for Chunkooama-
nee could not appreciate the conduct of his
rival in the career of fame. Envy had tax
en- possession of his soul and swallowed up
all other passions, as the rod of Aaron
swallowed the rods of the Egyptian Magi
If khoyapa went to the Bison hunt, Chup-
kooamanee went also, to Guido him as a
hunter, and he joined all war parties, with
the same intent His was soul of fire,
that could brook no rivalry, and he attained
his ends. At the age Of twenty-tw he was
reasoned the bravest warrior, the best
hunter, the best ball player, and the hand
soonest man in the nation.
He was yet 70 cross Khoyapa in another
path. The latter had cast the eyes Of af.
lection on very beautiful squaw, named
Patondootah, whose caprice and disposition
to coquetry had made her name proverb
He endured her caprice, and hunted for hel
father whole year. At last his success
in the chase enabled him to pay her price
which was goollly quantity Of merchan
disc, and keg of whiskey, the latter be
ing indispensable in Teton negotiations o
this kind. He made his demand in due
form, and it was granted 10y his INTENDED
father in law. The bride made no objee
ton, and indeed il would not have availet
hei if she had, as the consent of Tetol
women is seldom or never asked. Tn,
feast was spread, the musicians began L
sinr and hnot their dIums and shake thei