The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-05-23
JACKS STORY IN CAMP.

s'lite. @ M
You must not, however, picture tc
yourselves q finely dressed gentleman
mounting the stepsof n handsomeh house,
ringing the door-bell, and presenting
his yisiting-card. The actual facts Of
the case are very different.
For several months I had been in poo,
health, and my doctor had ordered me
to engage in some rough, outdoor en-
ployment. Following his advice. 1 went
to work in q Western lnmbering-camp
situated about ten miles northeast of
an Indian reservation where the people
are descended from the once noble tribe
OF Chippewas. But most of them have
d%egenerated into dirty-faced, yellow
skinned, disreputable wretches, whose
highest ambition is to secure an alum
of whisky and tobacco. Lumber
men dospise them most heartily, and
appear TO consider it their duty to kick
them at every opportunity.
One afternoon a storm came on. and
by night the rain was pouring in tor
rents. The men came in from work
wet and tired, and not in the best of
humor to receive visitors.
The cook, who isusually a very mild
tempered man, was for once in n pas
sion. His wood was pet; his fire only
gave ont black smoke, which seemed
unwilling to leave him, and crowded
down the s%tove-pipe into the room; and
he had cut his thumb while peeling DO
tatoes.
We were not, therefore, a very mer.
~ or sociable company, as we crowded
into the cooks shanty for supper. Few
puns were made, and the social and
political state of the nation was not so
thoroughly discussed as usual. We sat
and ate our supper in savage silence
The meal was about over, when the
door opened and in walked an Indian,
probably from the reservation. He
was as wet as a rat, and looked like a
walking mud-puddle. The water stood
all over his yellow face. and whenever
he stopped for n moment a little pool
formed on the floor.
When Mart, the cook. caught sight of
him his face turned white with wrath.
The Indian saw that he was not over
welcome, but bowling low he introduced
himself
"Namo Mr.. Shuershee! Hungry!
Thirsty! Sleepy" Then turning and
pointing out into the darkness, he add
ed, "Rain! Cold! UGH"
1--WE don't want no Iniun round here!"
cried Mart. $50 leave, we, sneak thief,
1 guess 'twon't hurt We to let the rain
wash We off fer onct," and catching upa
large stick of wood, he started toward
"Mr. Shuershee,"
That gentleman did not wait for him,
but skunk towards the door like a
whipped dog, leaving behind him MS he
went q little river on the foor. Mart
followed the poor creature to the door,
and raised his foot to kick him down
the steps.
But just as he was about, rs he OK
pressed it, to raise the Injun on end"
a rough voice shouted, "Stop thar" and
Mart stopped his foot in mid air from
sheer surprise. Gruf old Jack stood
by the table, with his grizzled beard
standing out stiff with anger.
"Let that racally fellow alone!" he
shouted.
There was something in his manner
that made Mart hesitate. Jack was by
all odds the toughest q in camp. He
was a great, cross-grained old fellow,
tough rs o pine-knot and Is surly as q
dog. He had never been known, before,
to stand by any one, and SO he jumped
up to take the part of n despised "%Injun,'
we knew not what was coming next.
Jack strobe across the room, thrust the
wondering Mart aside, and pulled poor
"Mr. Shuershee" in, out Of the rain.
"Oome in you, whatever your name is"
said he, "come in and set down and eat,
or I'll make vel"
The "noblo savage" hardly knew
whether he was awake or dreaming.
But Jack pushed him into aseat, picked
off his hat and threw it under the table,
and placed the best supper he could find
before him.
Then he turned to the rest of us, who
were looking on in utter amazement,
and said,-
"Ef any of We has anything to say
about this, say SO, and I'LL the bill"
No n said q word-Jack was too
large and tough, and his fist was too
heavy, to admit of much argument.
Jack watched the Indian as adog might
watch his masters coat, and when he
had eaten enough, thrust his hand into
his pocket and pulled out q plug Of his
best tobacco. This he put into "Mr.
Shuershee's" hand, and then pushed
him into q seat by the fire.
Then he took some blankets from his
own bunk and threw them in q corner,
with a gruff, Turn in there and sleep,
y. i%njun!"
"Mr. Shuershee" said nothing to all
this, but when his bed was pointed out,
he curled up in it like q dog, ard was
soo asleep.
It almost seemed Us if the end Of the
world must be at hand when Jack would
help on "Iniun." There was evidently
something on his mind. He seemed to
feel that some explanation asdue, and
it did not surprise us when he took his
pipe from his mouth and blurted OUT
II s'pose ye think Tn a fool for what
i done to that Injun!"
Eyes, we does; and Tide like to know
what we done it fer" said Mart. with
tho air of one who feels that his dignity
has been rufled.
swell, said Jack, ut must hev kind
er s'prised ye to see me take up fer q
rsscally Iniun, but wait till ye hears