The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-07-19
Indians at Carlisle School.

Last 1Asl man QeSlrOuS OF getting up
Q show went among the Kaws in the In
dian territory. He gathered group OF
young men who we're willing to deck
themselves and dance to amuse and as.
tonish the eastern peol lie. Among those
who Joined his company was SAM" He
had long been seeking how he might get
ITO Carlisle, and now he thought the way
opened Having been at school and
speaking some English, he was valuable
in the troupe. BY wagon and rail the
party made it's way to Kansas and on to
Missouri. The show business, however
did not prosper, and the manager dis
missed his company. All of the In
dams returned to their reservation but
Sam, who, with capital of $2.73, deter
mined to start for Clrlisle Reserving
the money for food, he sold hi orna-
ments, and got as far as Bloomington,
Ill. There be began his 1000 mile walk
to school. Ouce in while he succeeded
in getting lift on freight train, and q
Kind traveller, moved 10 compassion,
paid for a 100 mile ride. Food was
sclnt, ami the lad was often hungry and
very tired, but he kept on, until ut last
the Allegheny mountains were reached.
Snow was on the ground, his moccasins
were completely worn out, and his feet
sore and numb. He determined to trade
his blanket for pair of shoes, and, nav
ing succeeded, he pushed on, defying
the cold. One day in December tat
te' ed, haggard lad passed the gate at
the barracks, and presented himself to
Captain Pratt as new scholar, telling
the story of his six weeks walk across
1S0n Nf
was no money to support him at the
Aschool, but he was sheltered and cared
for, and kind friends who heard his story
sent to the captain the needed contribu-
ton. Meanwhile Sam had been put
through the bath transformation, and
had come out a student-worker in blue.
As every one must labor at Carlisle,
Sam, with another new boy, was put to
sitting ashes Sans heart was full and
he craved sympathy; his companion
knew little of English speech, and was
of different tribe from Sans, so the
lad had mainly the comfort of his own
voice IA he said, Are you homesick?'
No answer only a blank look. Home
sick is hard; makes me feel bad; but /
don't want to go home. l stay here;
learn work and learn stndy; but SO
h,mesick. 1t is good here; want my
brother here; he must not come the way
did; that way very hard" The ashes
few in clouds about the boys, and Sam
began to sing, for like most Indians he
is fond Of singing. The strong relig
ious nature of his race caused the hymns
he hal heard at the mission to come to
him. and he Thought to share their con-
ISOLATION with his fellow worker by ex-
planning the words: "Lead me to the
rock that is higher than 1, sang Sam /;
and then he said: Il can't tell very we'll
ahout that, but l know the rock is
Christ"
The children at the school find their
way there by varied paths. Little
Kesetta of the Lipan Indians was taken
prisoner during fight in the southwest.
Her mother would not be captured,
preferring death to the loss
Of liberty. and she tried to kill
her child. Having no weapon but
q stone. she failed to do more than ST.
verely wound tho girl. Careful treat
ment and nursing, however, saved the
life of the child. and she became the
daughter of The savior. A little boy of
her tribe, but DO relative. shared her
captivity. These two orphaus grew up
together, learning English. and heoom =
ing attached to their soldier foster
parents. When news Of Carlisle reached
the garrison, application WAS made for
permission to send Rosetta and Jack
there to school. A soldier brought them
on the long journey, anu the little ones
found q kindly welcome u. the barracks.
Keseita grew tall and plump and rosy.
making good heal way in her st ldies and
work. The large SEARS OF the wounds
made by her frantic mother remain on
her to-day. but the child says, NY p or
mother did not mean to 10 wrong-she
did hot know Cod" Jack felt severely
the chang OF climate. and fell sick. He
Nv in the hospital, and it WAS fea ed he
would die. One evening he begged hard
to hnv" Ciptaiu Pratt seDt for. Il must
s~e the captain! he cried. SO earnest
was the b"y that to qniet him the captain
WAS rent for. AS III. tall figure, wrapped
in a mk, entered tho room. Jacks
bright ewes became fixed ON the captain
forgetting the presence or exi+tencs OF
any Que else, be said: Ca ofaiu. il You
will pray God t. MAKE me we'll, shall
get we'll The Cap Min met the un-
d un,ed gag. and knelt beside she s,m.
pie hearted child and prayed for healing.
The lov r-s'e,l ou that PRAYER IA on .
faithful am. and fell asleep. to waken to
c0nvxlescence aud to health.