Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1837-11-21
MTsCELLAN EOUS.
Rnre Spectacle.


A Scene at a Iheatre-IndiaR raj
lantTy.-I have just returned from the
theatre, and before / "turn in" will
give you a sketch Of one of the most
interesting scenes 1 ever Witnessed -
Understanding that the various tribes
of Indians now here were to be present
there this evening, ! wended thitherI
with a double curiosity, to see the fas-
cinating Miss Nelson and the effect of
her playing upon the minds Of the sava-
ges. In one of the stage boxes were
seated party of lOwas, who are small
featured and more richly dressed than
the others, but less gaudy than the
Sioux. In the adjoining box were the
Foxes, who appeared to me more In
dian-like than any other tribe / ever
saw. They wear red blankets, save
one fellow he had black one; proba>
BILE he is the chaplain to the embassy.
They wore no shirts, and their blankets
being thrown open show their noble
forms in naked majesty. They wore
no trinkets like the other tribes about
their heads, which they shave closely
leaving only the scalp, from which a
mass of bristles runs back to their necks,
like the crest of a horseman's helmet.
This with the savage simplicity of the
other part of their bodies gives them a
peculiarly antique appearance for more
imposing than that of their be-plumed
and bedaubed rivals. After while in
marched the Sioux decked out in new
blankets, and some of their chiefs rig
ged in blue regimentals with silver
epauletts and hats with tin bands around
them. They appeared delighted with
their military toggery, which ! think is
in abominable taste.
When the buxom form of Miss Mel
son arrayed as a knight in the piece Of
THE Deep, Deep Sea-" sprang on the
stage, the Indians seemed absolutely
amazed with the vision before them,
when one of the IOwas suddenly arose,
andwith an energetic exclamation, threw
dress of feathers upon the stage. AT
first the performer MRS. Slater near
him was frightened, until the interpre>
ter rose and translated the Indians ex-
clamation, which was that he gave her
that as token of his delight in seeing
her! Miss Nelson bowed and took the
! present, which was accompanied with
an applause which was almost deafen,
4 ing. The play went on; Knights long
: serpentine train could not keep the In
: dams from gloating on the radian
creature before them. A beautiful
song from Miss Nelson brought on ano
Their present from another Iowa upoI
the stage, which she acknowledge
with bewitching smile. In the meal
time, the Sioux men looked with undis
guised contempt upon their gallant ri
n walls. In the succeeding scene Mis-
Nelson had on the feathery presents a
wings. This tasteful design overcam,
completely the susceptible IOwas.-
= One ofthem sprang forward, and strip
,. ping off his splendid buffalo robe, tosse'
it at her feet with an imprisoned burs
Of feeling. When the uproar cause,
by this was over, in which the Foxe
yelled most hideously, the interprete
: translated the sentiment in the follow
ing words, 81 give this to the beauty
Washington to show my pleasure.
really thought these generous fellow
would strip themselves to show the
in gaIlantry!
e Miss Nelson, at this fresh proof
W devotedness, in graceful manner bel
IS ged the interpreter TO state that she r.
GREETED her inability to speak their nj
tive tongue but that she esteemed the
"a as much as she did the sons of Il
y" King of her native land She The
~ took from her helmet and gave to Gao
ers of her admirers white ostrich plum
which soon decked their swartl
brows! The Indians retired to Il
" front boxes, where they remained laug
ing with all their nights, till Miss NJ
son again charmed them inthe 'Mou
tain Sylph." When she descended III
from the clouds another robe W
thrown her by an Iowa, be It remeI
~ bered. At the conclusion, when S
N. regains her Immortality and ascends
20 her native skies, she placed on h
ers head the votive Indian crown of feat
I'm I'm ers which gracefully spreading out
~ she arose, gave a peculiar wild char
eth to her vanishing figure. II you col
APP have heard the jim and yells as she
eth played this addition to her dress VIII
:, she rose! Sioux, Foxes, pale fac
in and all, arose, and gave one loud
BY cOmmingled shout, while above all, r
win the wild shrill cry of the savages.
ded one will ever forget who saw It.
Washington, Sept. 80, 1887.