Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-05-16
JACKS STORY In CAMP.


received an evening call from Mr.. Shuer-
shee. az:
You must not, however, picture to
yourselves finely dressed gentleman
mounting the steps of a handsome house.
ringing tho door bell, and presenting
his visiting-card. The actual facts of
the case ore very different. z 81 .>.-%
For several months had been in poor
health, and my doctor had ordered me
to engage in some rough, outdoor en-
ployment. Following his advice, went
to.work in Western numbering camp,
situated about ten miles north east of
an Indian reservation where the people
are descended from the once noble tribe.
OF Chippewas. But most of them have
degeaerated into dirty-faced. yellow
skinned, disreputable wretches, whose
highest ambition is to secure an album
dance of whisky and tobacco. lumber
men despise them most heartily, and
appear to consider it their duty to kick
them ct every opportunity.
One afternoon storm came on, and
by night tho 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 is usually very mild
tempered man, was for once in q pas
sion. His wood was pet his fire only
gave out black smoke, which seemed
unwilling to leave him, and crowded
down the stove-pipe into the room; and
he had cut his thumb while peeling po-
tatoes.
We were not, therefore, very mer-
ry 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 rat, and looked like
walking rnud-puddle. The water stood
all over his yellow face, and whenever
he stopped for o moment 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
"Nams Mr.. Shuershee! Hungry!
THIRSTY Sleepy" Then turning and
pointing out into the darkness, he add
ed, Rain! Cold Ugh!"
eve don's want no Injun round here!"
cried Mart. $50 leave, We, sneak thief!
I guess 'twon't hurt ye to let the rain
wash We off fer onc5," and catching up
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 as he
went q little river on the floor. Mart
followed the poor creature to the door,
and raised his foot to kick him down
the steps. 1 ,,l.,, b
But just as he was about, as he ex-
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. Grtlff old Jack stood
by the table, with his grizzled beard
standing out stiff with anger,
"Let that racally fellow alone!' he
shouted. g r%
There was something in his manner
that made Mart hesitate. Jack was by
all odds the toughest man in camp. He
was q great, cross grained old fellow,
tough asa pine-knot and as snrly as o
dog. He had never been known, before,
to stand by any one, and SO he jumped
up to take the part of a despised "Injun,"
We knew not what was coming next.
Jack strobe across the room, thrustth
wondering Mart aside, and pulled poor
Mr.. Shuershee' in, out of the rain. u.
Come in you, whatever your name is"
Y said he, 'come in and set down and eat,
or I'll make YET" t.'.'
The "noble savage hardly knew
whether he was awake or dreaming.
But Jack pushed him into seat, picked
of his hat and threw it under the table,
and placed she best supper he could find
i before him. #~'..S... -.
Then he turned to the rest of us, who
were looking on in utter amnzement,
Z and said,- '2r#
Eff any OF ye has anything to say
about this, say so, and I'll pay the bill"
{i3 No one said word--Jack was too
large and tough, and his fist was too
/ heavy, to admit OF much argument.
Jack watched the Indian as dog might
watch his masters coat, and when he
4 had eaten enough, thrust his hand into
his pocket and pulled out plug of his
E hest tobacco. This he put into ssMr.
Shnershees" hand, and then pushed
/ him into d seat by the fire. .1E
E Then he took some blankets from his
own bunk and threw then, in q corner,
\ with grufff, Turn in there and sleep,
va Iniun 55 il. ii.
Mr.. Shuershee" said nothing to all |
& this, but when his bed was pointed ont,
he curled MP in it like a dog, ard was
4 soon asleep.
It almost seemed as if the end Of the
world must be at hand when Jack would
l,1kelp an aInlnn. There was evidently
4 Bomething on his mind !. He seemed to
feel that some explanation was due, and
3 1t did not surprise us when he took his
pipe from his mouth and bIurted ont,
4 pose re think I'm a fool for what
B u done to that Ini inn I"
e s. Yes, ne does !; and I'de like to know
4 what ye done it fer Z, e said Mart, with
the air Of one who feels that his dignity
4 HAS been ruHed. s3SF
I'll said Jack q. t sIIt must hev kind
4ers q prised ye to see me take up fer q
I, 49,, u x.1t Il