The Osceola times., 1884-01-19
Juvenile Audacity and Cherokee Disgust
Opie r. Read, in New York Mercury.

L. L. lldh tiiouHli' 'iidt "Ouih 'S wv
only passenger, but when a woman and
and boy, and subsequently a half INDIAN,
entered, ] very naturally revised my
former impressions and decided that
would have company. The half Indian
had been educated at an eastern school,
and was a very intelligent man. lie was,
| understood hin to say, a member Of
the Cherokee council, and was returning
home from visit to Washington, TO At
tend session of that grave, ilnot po.
tent. body Of Indian legislators When
the bov learned that the man was an
Indian he began teexhibit rcstessness
which | soon discovered would result in
the Ied mans annoyance.
Did you ever kill anybody he asked.
Tommy" said the woman, don't be
rude"
81 think not replied the Cherokee.
Then what makes you be a Indian 27
81 am only half Indian
Which half?"
Thomas" exclaimed the woman.
turning him around unbuttonlng his
coat and buttoning it again. He re.
mained quiet for a few moments and
then said
NAV"
What, dear p"
"A half Indian would only half kill
anybody, wouldn't he?'
"If you don't hush I'll put you out
Then I'd have to walk, wouldn't | 2'
"Yes"
"An' the bears might get me, mightn't
they?n
"Ycs, they would
"Would you care"
"Yes"
"Then what makes you wantcr put me
out? DO the Indians scalp folks "'
again addressing the Cherokee council.
lor who exhibited the social side Of his
Indian nature, but then yielding to the
white and OF course political half re.
Piled
The wild ones do"
But you are not wild, are you ?'
"No."
| "Why ain't you?'
NY little nan, must say that you're
asking too many questions" casting q
reproachlul glance at he.woman.
"If you don't hush I'll whip you, DO
you hear me ?' taking his ha; from the
floor and putting it on his head.
| "Yessun."
He remained quiet fora few moments
but dropping his hat on the floor, he
reached down, took it mp and said;
IF 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.
"lf | waster hit you, you'd hurt me
anyhow. wouldn't YOU ?'
NO tht red man replied.
why wouldn't you"
Another word out of YOU and III
whip you. Nevei mind; I'll tell your
father said the woman.
1t was Impossible 10 keep him quiet.
and after while he asked
Have you got any boys
Yes two
"Are they Indian boys?"
Their mother is white woman
AS white as my maw?"
Just another word out Of you and III
box you" said the woman, blusbing. lie
had evidently tested his indulgcnt moth
er on many an occasion, for after the
shortest possible silence on his part, hc
asked:
Did you ever see any seal ps p"
"Yes, think so"
"Did they have blood on 'cm? ?"
"No, they were dry" replied the Cher,
okee, plainly showing that his political
readiness in ansv ering questions had
risen above his Indian stoicism.
do they peel em like apples when
they dry EN- ?'
Hush your mouth The Indian ma
ture Was ehdeavoring to assert itself.
'If you ask another question III whip
you, you little rascal 4" said the woman
Are you going to hush ?"
"Yessum."
He twisted himself around, scratched
the coach door with a nail which he
mysteriously produced, and asked
Would you rather be an Indian than
a white man."
Hold on" demanded the Cherokee.
calling 70 the driver. Let me ride out
side"
Its goin to rain. | think. colonel"
the driver responded
Makes nc difference and he got out
and climbed on top Of The coach. then
thought my time had come, out he was
after better game our : d man Of the
forest was his affinity. He screwed him
self around for awhile, and then leaning
from the coach window, he called
say, doea Indians scalp niggers?"
Whoa" said the Cherokee. "Let
me get down"
Want 10 get back inside ?' the driver
asked.
NO, I'm going TO walk. Drive on and
II | don't overtake you, all right. D--d
II | wouldn't rather be witness in the
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