Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-09-15
Mr.. Martins Scalp.

This was the way it happened. l was
playing Indian in the yard. l ha ! a
wooden tomakawk and a wooden scalp
ing-knife and a bow-'narrow. | was
dressed uD in fathers old coat turned
inside out, and lad six chicken feathers
in my hair. was playing | was Green
Thunder, the Delaware Chief, and was
hunting for pale-faces III the yard. IT
was just after supper, and was having
a real nice time. Mr.. Travers came,
and ne said, Jimmy, what are you up
to now:' So / told him was Green
Thunder, and was on the war path.
Said he, Jimmy, | think l saw Mr..
Martin on his way here. Do you think
you would mind scalping him ?'' l said
l wouldn't scalp him for nothing, fo-
that would be cruelty: but If Mr..
Travers was sure that Mr.. Martain was
the enemy oil the red man, then Green
Thunder's heart would sche for revenge
and l would scalp him with pleasure.
Mr.. Travers said that Mr.. Martin was
notorious enemy and Oppressor of the
Indians, and he gave me ten GEMS. ana
said that as soon as Mr.. Martin should
come, and be sitting comfortably on the
piazza, / was to give the war-hoop and
scalp him.
Well, in few minutes Mr.. Martin
came, and he and Mr. Travers and Susan
sat Oh the piazza and talked as ii they
were all so pleased to see each other,
which was the highestpocracy in the
world. After a while Mr.. Martin saw
me and said, "How silly boys are that
boy makes believe he is an Indian, and
he knows he is only little nuisance"
Now this made me mad, and thought
would give him a good scare, just to
teach him not to call me names. So l
began to steal softly up the piazza
steps. and to get around behind him.
When had got about six feet from
him gave a warhoop and jumped ST
him. caught hold of his scalp-lock
with one hand, and drew my wooden
scalping-knife around his head with
the other.
1 never got such a fright IN my
whole lite. The knife was that dull it
wouldn't have cut butter; but, true as
L sit here, Mr.. Martins whole scalp
came right off In my hand, l thought
L had killed him, and l dropped his
scalp, and said, "For mercy's sake.
didn't go to do it, and I'm awful sorry :"
But he just caught up his scalp, stuffed
it in his pocket, jammed his hat Oh his
head, and walked off, saying to Susan,
81 didn't come here to be ins ulted by a
little wretch that deserves the gallows.
Mr.. Trsvers and Susan never said a
wsrd until he had gone, and then they
laughed till the noise brought father
out to ask what was the matter. When
he heard what had happened, instead
of laughing, he looked very angry, said
that "Mr. Martin was worthy man.
My son, you may come up stairs with
me-"
If you've ever been boy, you know
Whist happened up stairs, and needn't
say any more on very painful sub
ject. didn't mind it so much, for l
thought Mr., Martin would die, and
then 1 would be hung and put in Jail; !;
but before she went to bed Susan came
and whispered through the door that
it was all right; that Mr.. Martin
was made that way, SO he could be
taken apart easy, and that 1 hadn' t
hurt him. shall have to stay in my
room all day to-day and eat bread and
water; and what / say is that If men
are made with scalps that may come of
any minute il boy just touches them,
it isn't fair to blame the boy.