The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-02-21

ant surface to the buffalo robe which is no
/ found on any other skin.
AS soon as the hunting season is owe
the Indians put the hides and furs on pole'
which are dragged by ponies, sometime!
800 miles to the nearest trading post. Tht
whole band generally comes in with them
At the trading posts are opposition run
ners, acting in behalf, respectively, of the
two great companies of that country-Dur
fee & Peck and the Northwestern Ful
Company. These runners keep on the
watch, and as soon as band comes il
sight they mount fleet ponies, and start of
to secure the customers for the goods to be
traded by their employers for the results
of the seasons hunt. Those with whom
the Indians decide to trade are compelled
by customs to give the band great feast,
which usually lasts a day and night. Then
the business of exchange commences.
The articles most in demand by the red
men are coffee and sugar, of which they
are passionately fond. In dry goods, they
want blankets, cloth, prints, the most
gaudy and variegated. A few of them
buy saddles and brides. An ornament
called an 1roquis shell, which is picked up
on the sea shore somewhere in Europe, is
in great demand. An Indian has been
known to receive three-fourths of his trade
in these shells.
The Indians know the boats which are
loaded with goods to be disposed of to
them by the tops of the smoke-stacks be.
ing painted red. They call them "big
Canoes" and as soon as they get into the
Indian country the news is carried ahead
by runners, so that by the time the boat
arrives at its destination the news is wide
spread. However much they may chance
to be exasperated against the whites from
any cause which may have temporarily
aroused their hostility, they never modest
these boats.
Among the employees of Durfee & Peck
several years ago was an old Indian chief
named "Two Bears" He was very wide
ly known and popular among his people,
and was very valuable assistant. In 1865
Jesse Chishoim-probablyt the oldest trader
in the West, who came to this part of the
country nearly seventy years ago from
Tennessee-died away up in the noun
tains. Old "Two Bears was there, and
thought so much of him that he took from
his own neck gold medal which had been
given him by President Harrison, placed it
on the neck of his dead friend and had it
buried with him. Mr.. Durfee related to
the writer of this, some time ago, an Incl
dent about this red man, which illustrates
the amusing dignity and pride which the
Indian sometimes displays. Mr.. Durfee
was up the river with one of his boats, and
had ON board several ladies'. 1.-TWO Bears
was pointed out to him as a prominent
chief, and he invited him on board, taking
him directly to the ladies' cabin. Now, it
CHANGED that our red friend was not lust
then clad in his Sunday 60 TO- meeting
clothes, but on the other hand, presented
an appearance that would have hardly
been countenanced in genteel society. As
soon as he saw the ladies he wanted to
cave, and appeared deeply mortified at
having been inveigled into their presence
clad in SO scanty dress. No urging could
induce him to remain moment, and he
marched off the boat. In about an hour
he came back, decked off in all the gaudy
habiliments of First Family Sioux, stuck
all over with gewgaws and feathers, and
mounted on pony no less gaily caparison-
ed. Everybody was expected to go out
and see him in all his glory, which they
did, and his wounded pride was healed.