Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-02-24

0YIiA p Rad

(Opie p. Read
| shall not soon forget a s&aoe-coaeb
ride from Fort Smith ARK 70 Musko.
gee, Indian Territory. thought that
would be the only passenger. but yher
q woman and boy and sabseoueutly a
half Indian entered. l very naturally
| revised my former Impression and de-
| cided that would have compauy. The
half Indian had been educated at an
Eastern school, and was a verv intelh-
gent man. He was, I understood him
70 say, member of the Cherokee ooup-
cii. and vas returning home from a
vlsat TO Washington, to attend q session
OF that grave, If not potent. body of
indian legislators. When the boy learn
90 that the man was an Indian, he be-
gan to exhibit restlessness which |
so0n discovered would result in the red
mans annOyance,
the boy.
Tommy" said the woman, don't
be rude
II think not" replied the Cherokee.
dian?''
Which half?'
Ihomas" exclaimed the woman,
turning him around, unbuttopinQ his
coat and buttoninR it again. He re-
iaainsd quiet for few moments and
thea said:
"MawT'
What, dear?''
"A half Indian would only half kill
anybody, wouldn't heY'
III you don't hush I'll put you out"
Then I'd have TO walk, wouldn't I?'
An the bears might get me. miRhtn't
theyT'
Yes, they would
Would you oars?'
Then What makes You vanter put
me out? Do the Indians scalp fOlks?''
again addre ,sinR the Cherokee council-
or, who exhibited the stuical side of his
Indian nature; but then, yielding to the
white. and. of course. the polished half,
replied: -
mo-"
"Why amt your
Ny little man, must cay that you
are asking too many questions" !" casting
q reprOachful glance at the woman.
II you don't hush I'll whip you; do
You hear me?" taking his hat from the
floor and putting is on his head.
"Yeesum."
He remained quiet few moments, but
dropping his hat on the door, he reashed
bown, took it mp and said:
II you was wild Indian you'd cut
me with a knife when l stoop down,
wouldn't your"
The Cherokee looked far out over the
lands Of his fathers, but made no To-
@h I waster bit you, you'd hurt me
anyhow, wouldn't your
NO" the red man replied.
Why wouldn't vou?"
Another word ont Of you and I'll
whip you. Never mind; I'll tsll your
father" said the woman.
quiet, AID after awhile be asked:
!" Have You got any boys3"
"Ye6, two"
Are they Indian boys7''
"Their mother il white woman"
As white a. my maw2"
Just another word out of you and I'll
box you," said the woman, blushing.
He had evidently tested his indalRent
mOGser ON many An OceasiOn. for, after
the shortest possible silence on his part,
he asked:
Did you ever see any scalps?"
"Yes, l think So"
"Did they have blood on 'em?"
No, they were dry" replied the Cher
okee, plainly showing that bis polite
readiness to answer the questions had
risen above his Indian stOicism.
DO they peel them like apples whom
"Hush your mouth" The Indian ma
ture was endeavOrinR to assert itself.
If you ask another question I'll whip
you, you rascal" said the woman. Are
you going to hushT'
Yessum."
He twisted himself around. scratched
the coach door with nail which he llys-
teriously produced, and asked:
"Would you rather be an Indian than
q white man?'
"Hold on" demanded the Cherokee,
calling ont to the driver. Let me ride
Outside."
"It's going to rain, think, colonel"
the driver responded.
makes no difference" and he got
out and climbed upsn top of the coach.
l then thought that my time had come,
but he was after better game; our red
man of the forest vas his affinity. He
screwed himself around for awhile, and
then. leaning from the coach window.
he called:
"Say. does Indians scalp niggers?"
Whoa" said the Cherokee; let me
get down."
/" Want 70 get back insids?" asked the
driver.
"No. I'm going to- walk. Drive on,
and, il ] don't overtake you. all right.
Damned il wouldn't rather be witness
in the United States Court"