The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-06-26
gisitl0 ChIeTJo.eph

There has been q great deal in the
papers lately about Chiei Joseph, The
chief Of The Nez Perces Indians. A
great deal for the grown people 10
read, and perhaps the little folks
would ike 10 read something about
him TOO.
He was q brave warrior, and a.
enc time very friendly With the white
man; but through unjust treatment
be became involved in a war with The
United States, was taken prisoner,
and with a number Of his people ear
Fied to the Government reservation
at Fort Leavenworth.
Ga certain days 10 the week peo-
pie are allowed TO go and see lie In
dian eacampment and one bright
day three little children, Of whom we
are going TO speak, were among the
number-two boys and a wee mOrsel
of humanity called Jennie Wren.
She was really five years old, but
not much larger than if she had been
TWO OF three; as the boys say, "brigh;
as a button" and with G very deci.
ded will enclosed in such a tiny
case.
The tepis, or tents, were Of course
sailcloth, stretched on poles, and IN
to some Of them the Indians, who did
not wish to see the visitors, or TO be
looked at by them, bad retired, and
closed the opening that served for q
door. But some few men and many
women and children were out bask
ing in the sunshine, and enjoying tht
air which, though the month was
December, was as warm and bright
as in spring.
Some few faces looked hard ant
s%ullen, as if they would do the "palC
faces harm if they dared, but 9th
ers were smiling and pleasant, anC
looking with no little wonder ct the
crowds Of visitors, who returned
their gaze with even more curios
ity.
Many a woman, with her pa
poosen in her arms, glanced az wet
Jennie, who, holding her father by
the hand and tripping along witt
great interest, broke out with some
EXPLANATIONS in her own tongue anC
pointed TO the little oac in the
squRw's arms.
BOYS and girls Of all sizes, will
matted black hair aud bright eyes
clad in oddly shaped garments, o
scarlet blankets, ran and playei
around. Some with cheeks and eye
brows stained a deep red, as wer,
many Of their elders. The fGvoritr
game seemed TO be spinning woodel
tops, which they whipped up to
wonderful speed, and very skillfully
with thongs Of leather. They too.
little heed Of the bystanders, saw.
when a bargain was struck betwee.
an Indian and white boy ID ex
change a top for an apple. Childre.
VIII Jc dIu but SCCuc wa
Just the touch of nature which make
all the world kin.
Chief Joseph, his squaw, and
number Of Indians were half sitting
half lying in a circle round his ten
into which the throng Of curious ga
zers passed and repassed. A large
and one might say almost a hand
some man, for an Indian, dressed il
q bright fantastic costume, with hi
scalp-locK hanging over his shoulder
and laughing and talking so good hu
moredly with a white man, that
was hard to believe that be had eve
used tomahawk OF been on the wal
path.
But the circle ofdark faces strangel
bedizened began to seem terrifyin.
to little Jennie, and she begged be
papa to take her away. SO afte
another hasty glimpse of the pictul
esque group our party Of young folk
went away, and thus ends, wha
some little folks are so fond OF heal
ing. "a true story"