Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1878-12-26

/ tbiC d2SLCNs OusN With ~ w
famed by a change OF agents every twelve
or fifteen months would puzzle an average
man to discover.
| In the evening. being curious to get a
glimpse at the domestic life Of an Indian
family. we accepted the kind Offer OF Col.
Allen. and I'm ter his guidance paid a visit
to the lodge of Two Knives. We found
him and his fimily of sixteen children
seated in circle around low fire. We
we're received with cordial '.How," and
your correspondent accorded seat beside
his llest daughter. Miss Two Horses.
Being somewhat abaslie,l ut this unexpect-
ed honor. we hesitatetl for moment.
cleared our Throat and then remarked thSt
| it was ~ very pleasant evening. She an
swered with smile which we are certain
would rival one Of Minn-haha's ..best.'
md then. perhaps. reminded Of her absent
| IJiawatha. q look OF sah thOnghtfnlnpss
stole acros her f,ce. and in an distracted.
melancholy manner she began scratching
her head.
We were about TO depart but were call
ed back by the old patriarch. who was
chiefly remarkable for his scarcity of
trousers. and invited to take Il smoke. A
long-stemcd pipe was accordingly pro-
duceh and passed back and forth till the
tobacco was exhausted. This ended the
interview.
On inquiry. we learnel that the price of
a squaw is usually one mule or two ponies.
Of course in trades Of this kiatl. Il good
deal depends upon the quality OF your
stock. An nnsound. toothless wreck OF IL
mule would. Of course. only purchase a
sg,,aw which would answer the same zen
eral description. But to white mar.
married lite in a Crow camp is not always
the height Of human felicity. for it is an
'unwrittcn law" of the tribe that he who
takes unto himself an Indian bride must
support as manv Of her relations as choose
to come and visit him. and the way the
brothers and sisters-in-law. the uncles.
aunts and consins Increase and multiply. is
something marvellous. Should he fall back
on the fundamental right Of every man.
that he is master Of his own household"
and kick his relatives ont of doors. his
wife leaves him. and he is once more cast
back TO the chilly comforts OF single bless
ednesc.
The word ''medicinc'' is of vague mean
ing. but one which is in constant use
among these people. In each lodge Il
number of articles are suspended from
poles. and the object which is the .'meIi-
cine" of thar lodge is revtrrnred as the
deity who presidcs over the fortunes of tie
family. That some Of these savawes. sunk
rs they are in ignorance and barbarisn,.
have at times vague longing for Il higher. |
for Il spiritual lite. there is little question
A short time since an OLE! man said to the /
agent that the medicine furnished by the. I
of their magician had never
given him any comfort. that he had been I
seeking the ''trtle medicine" all his life. but |
'onld not find it; he had thrust sharp
wives into his ilesl, and tortured the
bleeding wounds. but t" no purpose; he
,ad gone by night to high mountain tops.
nd lain naked and sl;ivering upon the cold
round till morning. but still it remainrd
S great mystery a ever. and i'm despair
c exclaimed he would seek it no longer
Who will question but that in the hunting
'ronn1s to which his toiteriny feet are
ist taking him. the medicine" which his
lingering so'il so long and vainly sought
ill be founi. These Indians worship the
m. that splendid orb which "r,,les by
ay." whose advent in spring dissolves the
nowy grandeur of the mountains. gives
, the prairies emerald mantips. and wakes
i nature into Joyous life. filling them with
happiness and hearts ease whose re-
lo'e distance in winter rohs tie forests of
lrir vrr'Iant beauty. quiets the noisy m,,-
c Of the brooks. and senls the cruel
north win t. to sing will dirgcs in the :
ti.sI'rs'.. :'ons. 20 this ,sre.t spirit. his
e humble tribute of their praise and be-
'eak its fostering care.
FRED NJ WILSON. ,