The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1854-04-08
TIE CONSCIENTIOUS INDIAN.


paving onc.'- " dtchnun.
THE CONSCIENTIOUS INDIAN.
Kusick. the chief of the Tuscaroras. had
served under Lafayette in the army of the
revolution. twas usual for him. in comma
nv with few Of his leading mon. to visit
once in two or three wears the State Of North
Carolina. whence his tribe originally came
to see after some claims that they had upon
the State In passing through Washington
the old chief would always call at NY Office
for III" purpose of submitting his papers, and
Of counScl'inr with me-. On orc Of these o.
ra>ionS he ma'!c a call before break fast AZ nv
residence accompanied hv his companions
\ ncich'or had stepped in to SEQ m" on his
way to the office. and our conversation turned
to"Iadv Morcan's France" which had been
Just published. and was lying upon my table
We spoke of General Lafayette. The mo-
mcnt his name was mentioned ku>ick turn
cd quick upon me his fine black eyes, ard
asked with great earnc>tncSS:
) "Is he vet alive? The same LAFAYETTE that
was in the Revolutionary War;
"YcS kr>ck. | answered. "hc is alive
and ne is the same Faiavcttc who was in the
war The book speaks of him as being no
only alive, but looking well and hearty"
lie said with deep carnestncss. Il am sla'
to hear it."
"Thcn YOU knew Lafayette. Kusick ."
80 YES, he answered. IL knew him well
and manav time in the battle. | threw NV
self between him and the bullets, for love,
HIM"
"Wcrc Won in commission"
"Gh vrs.' he rcrliel. IL was lieu.cnan,
Genera! Washington gave me a commiS
sion"
My friend. who was the late JOSEPH Nour>,
a. that time Reoister Of IT," Treasury. an
myself agreed to examine the records, an
see if the old chief was not entitled to per
sion. We (or rather he.) did 50. All wa
found to be as Knsick had reported it, whe
he was put on the pension list.
: Some years after. in 1927, when passin
through the Tuscarora reserve on nv wav I
the wilderness, stopped opposite his log cal
; in. and walked up to see the old chief.
: found him engaged in driving fish. After II
: usual greeting. asked if he continued to r.
J. ccivc his pension.
$ "No," SAID the chief, no. Congress pass.
$ law making it necessary for me 20 swear
J. cannot live without it. Now here is nv l.
l. cabin. and its my own: here's nv pate
d where can raise corn and beans and pun
I. kins; and there's Lake Oneida (Ontario
I. where can catch fish With these | C;
= make oat to live without the pension, and
: say could not, would be 10 lie 10 Tie IRE
'- Spirit
/ Here was principle and deep piety. and
: lesson !or many, whose advantages had {
exceeded those of this poor Indian In co
r. necton with this. will add another ane
J. dotc, in proof ofhis vencration for the Del,
= lie brcaktastcd with me on the morning
I'll which have referred, and knowing him
IL be teacher Of the Christian religion amo,
g his people, and an interpreter for those W
d occasionally preached to them, | request
e him to ask blessing, He did so, and in
q manner so impressive as to make me feel IL,
IT he was deeply imbued with the proper spr
IL lie employed in the ceremony his native TT
carora. I asked him why, as he spoke We
'e good English. he had asked the blessing
10 his native tongue lie said, "Whcn spe
English, am often at loss Cor word.
When, therefore, do not like to be pt
picked, or have my mind distracted, to 10
after word, must use my own native la
{ guage, it is ike my breath; am compose,
u kusick died an honest man, and Christia
'' and though an Indian, has doubtless enter
a. :. into his rcst.-.MKenn.y's L.lian<.
re- SMALL MATTEEs-Thc nerve of {
Il tooth, not as large as the finest cambric n,
I die. will sometimes drive a strong man
u distraction. y mosquito can make an e
= phant absolutely mad \ coral rock, viii
J" causes navy to founder, is the work
81 worms. The warrior who withstood ,lca
:: IN thousand forms, may be killed by an
sS sect. The deepest wretchedncss often
y suits from petty trials a chance look frt
~ those we love of:en produces exquisite pa
a. or unalcyed pleasure