Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-11-10
BUYING A WIFE.

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Tt was in 1853, that we left the
dear old Pine Tree State, and went
to seek our fortunes in the new
State of Minnesota. Father at
once "took up" a large tract of land,
which he converted into valuable
farm, and put up large steam saw
mill an the noisy, rushing stream
that formed our northern boundary
line.
Everything went well with us.
| Mother was ill when we left New
England, but the bracing Minnesso-
Ia air restored her to health again,
and the children were as happy as
the days were long.
| / was the oldest of the family;
then came Will, a lad of 18; Helen,
aged Is, and Eva, II years respect
lively.
At first we were greatly in fear of
the Indians, large parties of which
sometimes passed our house on the
way to Minneapolis or st. Paul with
furs. But we soon grew accustomed
to their visits, and aside from their
thieving prOpensities, suffered no
inconvenience. They were great
beggars, and we always kept the
farming tools, axes, etc., out Of their
sight securely fastened up in the
clubhouse built for the purpose, but
never refused them anything eata-
BILE. So it happened that we made
the acquaintance of many of the
red sons of the forest, some of whom
fri
of the Chippewas, especially, al
though he gave us much trouble at
one time, rendered us service at
another which more than repaid the
anxiety we suffered, and remained
true friend until his death.
One day as his tribe was return
ing to their reservation from one OF
these trading excursions, he was
taken violently ill with colic-prob
ably from taking too freely of ba-
ker's pastry, or other viands of
civilization in st. Paul. His faith
full followers brought him on litter
to our house, where by careful nurs-
ing and promptly administered
medicine, accompanied by liberal
baths of hot water and mustard, he
was soon restored to his silent taci-
turn self again. Talk about the
fortitude of redskin in bearing
torture! That Indian would fairly
roar with pain, while he begged US
to do something for hIm, but would
not remain still for that something
to be done. Helen, in particular,
was very busy in trying to allay
his suffering, and the great chief
., xiAlonf fn hnr
When he had fully recovered, he
called his tribe to see the bed on
which he lay, the stove on which |
his food was prepared, the little |
bottles of medicine. and the good
pale-faces who had waited upon
him. Everything was duly exam
ined with grave, earnest faces; then |
the braves withdrew to the yard to
await their chiefs pleasure.
Calling his son, a finely formed
swarthy youth of twenty, to his |
side, he drew himself up to his
fullest height, and wrapping his
blanket around him in a dignified
manner, demanded haughtily as he |
pointed to Helen:
"How much ask. How many po-
MES"
What do you want of her" ask
ed father, highly amused.
"Want her to be Chatekee's
squaw. Nice pale-face make um
good wife"
We could not keep back the laugh
that burst from the younger chill
dren at this quaint speech and he
continued
elbow many ponies? Chatakee
bring 'em next MOON"
Now, it was the custom among
the Indians.to buy their wives, as ia
ther knew, and no doubt Chitaqua
thought he was comforting a great
honor on Helen, for his son was to
be his successor, and he was q great
chief.
Father hesitated moment before
answering-then decided to give
him an answer that should dis
courage him, and so he said, j0cose-
ly:
"Oh, she's a pretty good girl
1 guess a hundred ponies won't be
any too much for her. If it was
Lottie now"
But Chitaqua interrupted him
with a grunt of satisfaction, and
wrapping his blanket closer around
him, motioned to his son to follow,
and saying, "Next moon he comes"
strobe through the doorway and
away into the forest with his tribe,
leaving father and the rest of us
convulsed with laughter. For we
had no thought that he would full
fill the condition and furnish the
price demanded, for three or four
ponies was the usual price paid by
an Indian for a wife, and ten at the
most would purchase the most beau
tiful belle of the tribe.
The days rolled away, and the
next month drew to a close.
What was our surprise and cha
grin one bright morning, to see Chi
taqua and Chatekee, splendidIy
mounted and equipped in Indian
style, come solemnly to our door
yard, followed by hundred braves
of the tribe, each one leading by a
grass halter a little, vicious, ugly
Indian pony.
Chitaqua rode little in advance
of Chatakee, who led by a scarlet
bride the prettiest little pony re-
spIendent in scarlet trappings.
That was for Helen's use. Dis
mounting, the chief solemnly ad-
vaneed to the door, while Chatakee
fixed his admiring eyes on Helen,
who stood by the window laughing
at the joke and crying with fear at
the same time, for father was away |