Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-06-12


Montrille in particular. Poor Dick !!
she took no notice of him those days.
| think she hardly saw him. .aT
Hattie had pony, a gift from an
old Indian whom she had befriended.
He rode up to our door one night,
blanketed, mud bespattered, drunk,
and rich, as only Indians are after
payment" 1t was raining. Father
was ordering him away. | was half
frightened to death. ......
"Will stay" he said, doggedly !;
"money plenty-pay for lodge, but no
60 way" E
He took a pistol from his pocket,
and held it out threateningly as he
stood in the. door streaming with wet.
Hattie laid her white hand Oh Ills
arm. "You may stay. But give me
the pistol. ......
He looked down at the hand on his
arm, and stepped inside.
Give me the pistol !"
He gave it into her hands, grunt-
ing as he did so-"Ugh no shoot
All wet and no shoot White girl
fool! Ugh!'
Hattie gave him chair, and with
her own hands united his muddy moe
casins, that were soiling the carpet,
and took them off.
There, now you may lay down.
Shall | get you blanket ?"
"No, blanket all over" And he
stretched his muddy carcass on the
carpet and went to sleep.
Hattie looked at him quietly
poor fellow, those sharks at the pay
ment' have made him drunk. How
wish there was some way to protect
the poor ignorant creatures"
"But, Hattie" said mother, "why
didn't you let father drive him off,
This is very awkward"
eyes but he might have hurt faith
er. [ was afraid of him."
The next morning the poor fellow
yawned, stretched himself, and sat up.
Father and Hattie had been up all
night.
After having evidently thought the
matter all over, he got up, and, walk
ing over to where Hattie sat, said
"Pay Lilly-tingers-you.
As Hattie did not comprehend
Hattie pointed to father, but the Indi-
shook his head.
"No, pay you"
Father made him to understand
that he wanted no pay, and he went
out. He came to the door again pres
emily, leading his horse, and gave the
bride id 6. into H7 fatheE,s HANDS: g1ai .
The pony was a "beauty very
much" and Hattie gave him the Oily
fingers" moment in gratitude, and
the Indian went his way. That was
how we came by Beauty" But she
was too valuable for Hattie's peace.
Some one stole her. Papa hunted
everywhere. He found out the lndl
ans hut not far away, and consulted
him. The Indian had a not-to-be
spelled Indian name, but he went by
the name of Sam" If he had a sir
name, l never heard it Sam sale
very little; Indians are never talka
tive. But he promised to help fine
the pony.
"Any money 7"
Father told him he would pay hin
we'll.
"UghY Sam said, impatiently.-
No mean got plenty. Any stole ?"
Father did not know, but came
and looked where he had hidden hi
money. 1t was gone
Sam shook his head. 'Indian M
steal money--steal horse. Whit
man steal"
But even Sans cunning did no
avail. No trace of gold or pony coult
be found. Weeks had passed, ant
we, disappointed in our farm project
were thinking of some other way tt
make a living. Father could no
work. Mother, too, was feeble. Oh
our shoulders the burden rested, thre
young, inexperienced girls. 1t al
ready began to feel heavy.
"Are you sure it was smoke, Susy =?
Laura asked me when we were alone
Because, if it was, there will b
smoke there again, and | must tel
Sam"
"Oh, nonsense! | know it wa
smoke, but what of that? Some roy
ing Indians-or-"
"No, Susy. If you think a momen
> you will agree with me. But we vii
. be sure. Tomorrow evening we vii
/ slip away together and watch. If W
see anything, we will tell Sam and lie
t him follow it up; if not there will b
! no harm done"
+ "But father dosen't allow US to ro,
on the Missouri. He said last nigh
we must not, and we could never wall
' 1t is four miles, all through the woods.
c "But, Susy, there is good deal q
, stake. Think. We havn't enoug
: money to keep us a month, and poo
: father is worrying SO about it, | al
q sure he will be sick. He will nc
; blame US when he knows" /" ..e.
0 The next day we went to Mr.
o Prague's cottage visiting; we sa'
l. Hattie was not used to being left b.
hind, and pouted a little about it; br
a we got away without her. We le
r Mrs. Prague's just before sunset, an
p rowing out into the strong currer
l. dropped slowly down stream. Whe
o we came in sight of Prague's Point v