Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-07-29
MIR. MARTINS SCALP.

THIS was the way it happened. /
was playing Indian in the yard. had
wooden tomahawk and q wooden
scalping knife and a bownarrow. Twas
dressed up in fathers old coat turned
inside out, and had six chicken feathers
in my hair. 1 was playing was Green
Thunder, the Delaware chief. and was
hunting for pale-faces in the yard. 1t
was just after supper and 1 was having
real nice time, when Mr.. Travers
came, and he said, "Jimmy, what are
you up to nowP" So told him l was
Green Thunder and was ON the war
path. Said he Jimmy, think saw
Mr.. Martin on his way here. Do you
think you would mind scalping himP"
said wouldn't scalp him for nothing,
for that would be cruelty; but if Mr..
Travers was sure that Mr.. Martin was
the enemy of the red man, then Green
Thunder heart would ache for revenge,
and would scalp him with pleasure.
Mr.. Travers said that Mr.. Martin was a
notorious enemy and oppressor of the
Indians, and he gave me ten cents, and
said that as soon as Mr.. Martin should
come and be sitting comfortably on the
piazza, was to give the war-whoop and
scalp him.
Well, in a few minutes Mr.. Martin
came, and he and Mr.. Travers and Su-
san sat on the piazza, and talked as if
they were all SO pleased to see each
other, which was the highestpocracy in
the world. After q while Mr.. Martin
saw me and said: How silly boys are!
that boy makes believe he's an Indian.
and he knows he is only a little nui-
sance." Now this made me mad, and
II II Ia
scare, just to teach him not to call
names if fellow does beat him in a
fair game. So 1 began to steal softly up
the piazza steps, and to get around be-
hind him. When had got about six
feet from him l gave a war-whoop and
jumped at him. caught hold of his
scalp-lock with one hand, and drew my
wooden scalping-knife around his head
with the other.
Iuever got such fright in my whole
life The knife was that dull that it
wouldn't have cut butter; but, true as
I sit here, Mr. Martins whole scalp
came right off in nv hand I thought
had Killed him, and dropped his
scalp, and said, "For mercy's sakei
didn't 90 to do it, and I'm awfully sor-
ry." But he just caught up his scalp,
stuffed it in his pocket, and damned
his hat on his head, and walked off,
saying to Susan, II didn't come here to
be insulted by little wretch that de-
serves the gallows.'
Mrs. Travers and Susan never said a
word 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 s.Mr. Martin was a worthy man.
My son, you may come up stairs with
me-"
If you've ever been boy, you know
what happened up stairs, and I needn't
say any more on q very painful subject.
1 didn't mind it SO much, for thought
Mr.. Martin would die, and then /
would be hung, and put in Jail; but
before she went to bed Susan came aud
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 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 off any min
ute if boy just touches them, it isn't
fair to blame the boy.-.Jinmy Bro,Dn,
in HdTper's Young People.