The Van Buren press., 1878-04-23
An Indians lleadwOrk.

Joseph DuuteV was appotHteu po'cI
nor of New England in 1857. Dudley
was Governor only few months While
occupying that position he was one day
experimenting the erection Of building
upon plantation which he owned in
Roxbury, when his attention was attrac
ted by heavy framed, middle aged Ind
an, who stood idly hooking on while the
workmen were heasing up trasses for
the roof. Though the weather--lale in
autumn-was uncomfortably cold, this
Indian was very nearly naked, his mus
cular limbs shiyering, and his teeth chat
tering as the chill blast strnch him. 81
"Look you, my red son." said tho Gov
ernor, addressing the Indian, why do
you not work as these men do. aud earn
some clothes to cover your body? Why
do you stand here idle p
'Ugh!' grunted the dusky aboriginal,
"why youno work What for you stand
here idle ?"
IL" replied Dudley, tapping his finger
upon his forehead, ''work with my head.
There must be head as well as hands
| do the headwork
After rejecting for while. the Indian
asked what work the Governor had for
him to do.
III want calf killed. II you.will do
it | will give you shilling"
The fellow having ha | the calf pointed
out to him killed it, and applied for his
shilling.
but why do you not skin IT, asked
the employer,
ugh! Calf dead, Governor. Me kill
um. Give NE mother shilling aud will
skin and dress UNI"
This was done, aud when the Indian
had received his two shiilings he went
away to a tavern where he was not long
in spending one OF them for rum, after
which he returned to the Governor, de.
clarng that one of the shillings he had
received was bad and that the keeper Of
the tavern would not take it. Dudley
suspected the cheat, but gave him another
shilling. A lew hours later the fellow
had the brazen impudenoo to come back
aud declare that the second shilling had
also been worthless. The Governor
knowing very well that the fellow was
lying held his thoughts to himself aud
gave him yet another shilling, being re
solved. however, that just punishment
should be melted out After thinking for
some time he hit upon plan. He sat
down and wrote letter to the keeper Of
the prison in Boston In this letter he
sat down the Indians roguery, and di.
rected that the bearer should be sounded
ly logged and shut up for a week in a
dungeon.
A day or two after he met the dishon,
est Indian near the place whero the build
ers were at work,
.'Ah." said Gavernar Dudley, In . ~ery
pleasant mood, ''you are just the the man
| want. have letter covering impor-
tant business, which wish to have car
rie1 to the keeper of the Jail in Boston.
you will carry it to him will give you
half crown"
The Indian said he would do the work
punctually; and he took the letter and
the half crown and set forth At short
distance he met another Indian, who was
a trusty and favoritc servant Of the Gov
ernor.
''Aha, William" cried the vagabond,
evidently not liking the destination of his
mission, II have been looking for you
The Governor told me should find you,
and give you this letter, and tell you to
carry to Boston as quick as you can. 1t
is big matter written in It,"
The faithful servant took the letter
which he saw to be in his masters hand,
and hurried away
At length the Governor missed his ser
want William, snd while search was being
made messenger arriving from Boston,
came from the missing servant, who was
there held in durance.
The Governors feelings can be imagin-
cd when he found his faithful servant
with a sore back. locked up in prison !;
for the unsnspecting fellow had delivered
the letter and got the logging intended
for another. The rascally Indian was
not seen again about the Governors
promises, but some weeks later, a meet
ing with the leading men of his tribe, he
CHANGED to be present where Dudley saw
and recognized him.
"Ah, you red rascal" cried the Gov
ernor, show dared you play me such
trick? You have cheated me of my
money, and you put off work that paid
you for doing upon another. What do
you mean p
The Indian looked his accuser full and
unblushing in the face, and tapping his
finger upon his forehead, said with q
significant nod: ~~t@.
"Oho, headwork, Governor Me do
headwork" 4.
Dnrinn the nast two rnars fhnrn hnyn