The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-02-07
The Cherokee's Flight, or the Small
Boy on the Warpath.

l shall not soon forget stage coach
ride from Forth Smith, Ark, to Musko-
gee, I. T. I had thought that would be
the only passenger, but when q woman
and boy, and subsequently half Indian,
entered, l very naturally revised my for
mer impressions and declared that l
would have company. The half Indian
had been educated at an Eastern school
and was very intelligent man. He was,
I understood him to say, member of
the Cherokee counsel, and was returning
home from a visit to Washington, to
attend session of that grave, if not
potent, body of Indian legislators. When
the boy learned that the man was an
Indian he began to exhibit restlessness
which 1 soon discovered would result in
the red mans annoyance.
"Did you ever kill anybody?" he ask
ed. \
Tommy" said the woman, "don't be
rude"
II think not" replied the Cherokee.
"Then what makes you be an In
dian?"
~ am only half Indian"
(Which half?"
Thomas" exclaimed the woman, turn.
ing him around, unbuttoning his coat
and buttoning it again. He remained
quiet 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"
"Then I'd have to walk, wouldn't II"
eyes,"
can the bears might get me, mightn't
they ?"
"Yes, they would"
"Would you care?"
eyes"
"Then what makes you wanter put me
out7 Do the Indians scalp folks ?" again
addressing the Cherokee councillor, who
exhibited a social side of his Indian
nature, but yielding to the white and Of
course political hall, replied:
"The wild ones do"
"But you are not wild, are you?'
"No."
"Why amt you"
"My little man, must say that you're
asking too many questions" casting
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 putting it on his head.
"Yessum."
He remained quiet for few moments,
but dropping his hat on the floor, he
reached down, took it up and said:
IF you was wild Indian you'd cut
me with knife when l stoop down,
wouldn't you?"
The Cherokee looked far out over the
lands of his fathers, but made no reply.
"If I waster hit you, you'd hurt me
any how, wouldn't you?"
"No," the red man replied.
"Why wouldn't you?"
"Another word out of you and I'll
whip you. Never mind I'll tell your
father" said the woman.
1t was impossible to keep him quiet,
and after a while he asked:
"Have you got any boys"
eyes; two"
care they Indian boys?"
''Their mother is white woman"
GAS white as my maw?"
"Just another word out of you and I'll
box you," said the woman, blushing.
He had evidently tested his indulgent
mother on many an occasion, for after
the shortest possible silence on his part,
he asked:
"Did you ever see any scalps"
GVo, T
"Did they have blood on 'em?"
"No, they were dry" replied the Cher:
okee, plainly showing that his political
readiness in answering questions had ris'
en- above his Indian stoicism.
"Do they peel 'em like apples when
they dry 'em ?"
"Hush your mouth" The Indian
nature was endeavoring to assert itself.
"If you ask another question, I'll whip
you, you little rascal" said the woman.
care you going to hush ?"
"Yessum."
he twisted himself around, scratched
the coach door with nail he mysteri-
ously produced, and asked:
"Would you rather be an Indian than
white man"
"Hold on" demanded the Cherokee,
calling to the driver. "Let me ride out
side"
"It's goin' to rain, I think, colonel"
the driver responded.
makes no difference" and he got out
and climbed on top of the coach.
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 awhile and then lean
ing from the coach window, be called:
'Say, does Indians scalp niggers?"
"Whoa." said the Cherokee, "Let me
get down."
"Want to get back inside?" the driver
asked.
"No, I'm going to walk. Drive on,
and if don't oYertake you all right.
D-d if I wouldn't rather be witness
in the United States Court. ."-N. Y.
Mercury.