Connecticut western news., 1884-01-02
THE INDIAN AND THE BOY.
An Interview That showed Juvenile Au
 dacity and Cherokee Disgust.

0hCtty tAha biNNhSts 
 I shall not soon forget a stage coach ride from Fort Smith, Ark, to Musko- gee, I. T. had thought I would be the only passenger, but when a woman and boy, and subsequently, half In- dian, entered, very naturally revised my former impressions and decided that would have company. The half In- dian had been educated at an eastern school, and was a very intelligent man. He was, I understood him to say, a member of the Cherokee Council, and was returning home from visit to Washington, to attend @ session of that grave, if not potent body of Indian leg islators. When the boy learned that the man was an Indian he began to ex- hibit a restlessness which I soon dis covered would result in the red mans annoyance.
 "Did you ever kill anybody ?" he asked.
 "Tommy," said the woman, "don't be rude"
 '1 think not" replied the Cherokee.
 ''Then what makes you be Indian ?
 'I'm only a half Indian"
 (Which half ?"
 "Thomas," exclaimed the woman, turning him around, unbuttoning his coat and buttoning it again. He re- mained quiet for a few moments and then said:
 "Maw ?"
 "What, dear ?"
 'A half Indian would only half kill anybody, wouldn't he ?"
 "If you don't hush I'll put you out. ["
 "TheD I'd have to walk, wouldn't I ?"
 "Yes."
 "And the bears might get me, mightn't theyP"
 "Yes, they would"
 "Would you care?"
 "Yes."
 "Then what makes you wanter put me out ?"
 "Do the Indians scalp folks ?" again addressing the Cherokee counsellor, who exhibited the stoical side of his Iudian nature, but then yielding to the white and of course political half, replied:
 "The wild ones do."
 "But you are not wild, are you?"
 "No."
 "Why ain't you ?"
 "My little man, must say that you're asking too many questions" casting a reproachful glance at the woman.
 ''If you don't hush I'll whip you. Do you hear me?"
 Taking his hat from the floor and put ting it on his head he answered:- "Yessum."
 eff you was wild Indian you'd cut me with knife when stoop down, wouldn't you ?"
 The Cherokee looked far out over the lands of his fathers but made no reply. of waster hit you, you'd hurt me anyhow, wouldn't you ?"
 "No," the red man replied.
 "Why wouldn't you?"
 HUSH your HOuLu. Lu6 1uulhu nature was endeavoring to assert itself. "H you ask another question I'll whip you, you, you little rascal, " said the wo- man. "Are you going to hush?'
 ''Yessum.
 He twisted himself around, scratched the coach door with nail which he mysteriously produced, and asked:- "Would you rather be an Indian than a white man ?"
 "Hold on," demanded the Cherokee, calling to the driver. "Let me ride out side"
 'It's goin' to rain, think, Colonel, the driver responded.
 "Makes no difference" and he got out and climbed on top of the coach. I then thought my time had come, but he was after better game; our red man of the forest was his affinity. He screwed himself around for while, and then leaning from the coach window, he said: ''Say, does Indians scalp niggers?"
 "Whoa," said the Cherokee. "Let me get down."
 "Want to get insideP" the driver asked.
 "No, I'm going to walk. Drive on and if don't overtake you, all right"