The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1880-01-17
THE WHITE MARE.
BY FRANK WILKESON,

In the valley, about six miles above
the fork of the Teton river in northern
Montana, is the Blackfoot Indian agency.
q high stockade of split logs standing on
ends, deeply sunk in the earth, encloses
about two acres Of ground. Heavy
gates, opening outward, sway harshly on
greatiron hinges They keep the Indians
out O nights. a we'll Of water is in the
center of the enclosure. Low log build.
tngs, covered with earth, are scattered
along the stockade. A couple of sand
hill cranes stood expectantly at the well,
waiting patiently for thirsty man to
draw water. a white tailed deer, with
broad blue ribbon on her neck, walked
dainLily around. Her cool black muzzle.
studded with drops Of dew, brilliant in
the slanting rays of the rising sun, was
slyly thrust into my hand giving me q
slight shock of surprise By the stable.
stood cow moose, standing so awk,
wardly with crooked legs and bumped
back and the pendulous lip which Mark
Twain cells the Hapsburg," that her
very ugliness excited my pity. A
moose calf-her miniature in ugliness-
stood stupidity at her side. Standing at
the we'll, facing the grand Rocky Noun.
tain range, ] drew a bucket of water.
Drinking deeply, repulsing the while the
advances of the female crane with nv
moccasined foot, | got the reward of all
men who reject the advances of the
tender sex, and was soon engaged in
repelllng q furious attack on me by the
long, legged twain. The attack was
fierce. Their long, hard bills clashed
Yiciously as they scOrnfully scolded me-
and | was on the point Of beating a dis
graceful retreat when [ heard, "Hol
Frank come have mouthful of
whisky" Recognizing the voice,
gladly left the cranes in undisputed pos
session Of the water bucket, and walked
across the parade to the store of the fur
company.
Bidding Burr Good morning" de-
cliued the whisky on grounds unneces-
sary to state; yet the barrel had yellow
head, and-and-welI, | knew the tap.
I sat and talked to Burr, who was in
charge Of this extensive store, and before
breakfast he went over it with me. 4
curious stock. Everything you could
not find in an eastern country store was
here. AS we walked he explained the
business to me. Alluring? Not at all
He, looking at his watch, said: Il" We
have yet time before breakfast to look
at my mare"
The sudden change in the expression
OF the voice, the sOftening of the eyes,
az this hard Indian trader spoke of his
horse, excited my curiosity, and | went
with him. He took me to low log
stable, the chinks carefully mudded, the
open shutter and door well made and
carefully fitted, so SIS to exclude the
butftlo gnats in season. A few short
heavy chains, stretched from post to
post, kept the horse in and the other
animals out With breast pushing
against the topm0st chain, with her hand
some broad head thrust out and alert
ears cooked forward, stood a snow-white
mare. She was looking at the moose
with q surprised expression on her face,
as much as to aay: Well, You have
not grown handsOmer during the night. ;
Burr whistlei, and with joyful neigh
the mare turned her head toward him
and babe him welcome. The greeting
between man and animal was almost
tender The mare rubbed her nose
gently against his breast, and the man
stood softly stroking her delicate neck.
Unlocking the chains, they dropped
Burr walked towards the well. The
mare. with dainty steps, arched neck,
and hecking tail, followed behind him,
or caressingly advanced to his side,
rubbed her body against his as though
the mere contact with the man were
grateful to her. His arm, it seemed to
me, instinctiyely lifted, and dropped
scross her neck.
The two walked together, unconscious
o. any incongruity. a bucket of water
stood at the well. The high-bred
creature smelt of it, and, detecting nv
previous presence, refused to drink after
me- Emptying the bucket, Burr drew
another, and of this the mare drank
slowly, her white face gradually sinking
into the shallow bucket. All across the
parade on the return to the stable the
love scene was reenacted. As they pass
ed me the mare showed her aversion to a
sFShger, by laying back her ears and
thIu7Ilhg cut her white toothed muzzle
DNaIu me IN a vicious manner. causing
hle 70 step hastily back. They pass me
into the darkness of the stable. Burr
comes out with bucket, puts up the TOP
most chSIn, and goes after barley. The
mare with outstretched head looks after.
MN with kind eyes. Again she saw me,
ana with wide opened mouth reached
STound the post 10 pay me the attentions
OF her dislike. Returning to the stable
Win full bucket of barley, Burr pass
ca IN. heard him pour the grain into
Inc iced box; heard him speak to her
as his dear girl" and Iheard him-kiss
her
a singular gentleness had come over
TINS hard man, steeled to human suffer
lngs and woe, whose business it was L
lmpoyerish Indisns, to DESTROY thei,
morals, to brutify them with the deyi
alcohol. He sat at the breakfast table
with his antelope steaks and trout un
tasted before him. Watching the soften
ed lace, | wondered what was the story
> asked: Burr, why do you Low,
that white mare?' He looked kindly a
ne, and, with a sad smile, replied: "To
night, after the men are ali in bed, / vii
tell you the story" Then, briskly
: Frank, my boy, this is not business
Fat, then clear out and fish or hunt
u will find some fool-hens in the BIZ
willow thicket about FIVE miles below
-ere saw them the other dav. Shoe
s'aae Tonight sc will have feas!
s.0 will open gy sva iass IE,ssles q