The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-08-19

This was the way it happened. was
playing Indian in the yard. I had a
wooden tomahawk and wooden scalp
ing-knife and bow narrow. | was
dressed up III fathers old coat turned
inside out, and had six chicken feathers
in my hair was playing | was Green
Thunder, the Delaware Chief, and was
hunting for pale-faces i'll the yard. 1t
was just after supper, and / was having
real nice time. Mr.. Trayers came and
he said, Jimmy, what are you up to
now?" SO | told him / was Green
Thunder, and was on the war-path.
Said he, "Jimmy, | think j saw Mr.
Martin on his way here. Do you think
you would mind scalping him?' ] said
I wouldn't scalp him for nothing, for
that would be cruelty; but if Mr.. Trayers
was sure that Mr.. Martin was the enemy
Of the red man, then Green Thunder's
heart would ache for revenge, and |
would scalp him with pleasure. Mr.
Travers said that Mr.. Martin was a
notorious enemy and opprcssor 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-hoop and
scalp him.
Well, in q few minutes Mr.. Martin
came, and he and Mr. Irayers and Susan
sat on the piazza and talked as if they
were NIL SO pleased to see each other,
which was the highcstpocracy in the
world. After while Mr.. Martin saw
Inc and said, GLOW silly boys are! that
boy makes believe he is m Indian, and
he knows he is only little nuisance"
Now this made me mad, and thought /
would give him good scare, Just to teach
him not to call names. So | began to
steal softly up the piazza steps, and to
get around behind him. When / hadgot
about six feet from him gave war
whoop and jumped at him. | caught
hold Of his seal p-lock with one hand, and
drew my wooden scalping-knifc around
his head with the other,
never got such fright in my whole
life The knife was that dull that il
wouldn't have cut butter; but, true MS I
sit here, Mr. Martins whole scalp came
right off in my hand. thought | had
killed him, and | dropped his scalp, and
said, "For mcrcy's sake! didn't go to
do it, and I'm awful sorry" But he Just
caught up his scalp, stuffed it i'll his
pocket, jnmmcd his hat on his hcnd, and
walked of, saying to Susan, 81 didn't
come here to be insuIted by a little
wretch that deserves the gallows"
Mr.. Travers and Susan never said II
word until he had gone, and then they
laughed till tho noise brought father ont
TO ask what was the matter. When
he heard what had happened, instead Of
laughing, he looked very angry, said
that "Mr. Martin was II worthy man.
My son, yon may come up stairs with
me-"
II you've ever been boy, You know
what happened up stairs, and needn't
say any more on very painful subject
/ didn't mind it so much, for | Thought
Mr.. Martin would die, aud then | 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;
TINT Mr. Martin was made that way, so
he could he 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 mon nre
made with scalps that may come of any
minute if n boy just touches them, it
isn't fair to blame the boy