The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-05
n Stretching Tour.

tElla Guernsey in Golden Rule
Sunset, lowering clouds. dcnoting both
rain sDd wind. and no shelter near, save a
fall, rudciy constructed "Territoryu house
around which p number OF ro1nd.eyed, COP.
Ter hueo children, and bakers dozen OF
dogs swarm.
In this plight en- artist friend and myself
find ourselves, after daya travelling In the
Cherokee reservation. Enthusiastic over this
dainty bat" and the picturesque spot" l
permitted Marie TO lead the way and sketch
the mounds" clusters OF forest trees and
goTgeously colored flora, forgetting the flight
OF time. and scarcity OF houses In this wild
part OF tho Indian Territory.
Two lone and lorn females, with no ex-
perience as campers out, and the knowledge
that in the timber wolves lurked this poor
house was anxi0utly sighted by Maria and
myself when five miles away.
Cordially We were hidden to "come right
10, by Mr.. aud Mrs. Molseet, fall blood
Indians, speaking good English, and wear.
ing ordinary dresfes, but very little OF IL.
Mr.. Monseetl eted the two ponies and tho
tough little beasts conteniedly grazed. not
mncing the drenshing rain and the keen
'norther" that suddenly blew up'' even
in October. Peaceful and perfect mornings
are Often followed by cold and dreary after
noCns
Mrs. Monseefs kitchen'and parlor in one
is not cumhefe8 with furniture. She mixes
II
water-pail; then washes the dishes Il IL, next
ptews chicken in it. Once 10 was a bright,
shining IT'D. IL also does duty as c)ise
boiler.
Mr.. Monseet has fertile land. He knowsf.
good, that It Is coveted but why shoad
lie spend life ia drudgsry? patch" OF
corr, n vegetable garden and melon patch,
tended by the women and children are all
we'll enough. Coal. good wafer aud timber,
he has plenty. Truly, his home isin goodly
land.
Corn cake. chicken, aud coffee 10 served as
on the pine box that is wash.stand, dining.
table, and useful In manifold WAYS. With
tue dogs, children, and family OF sleek cats
and ever so many fowls perched familiArlV
about we quite flu the house. The supper
Is abundant, aud we-havs crackers aud
frat with us, that are very nice eaten sur
reptitiously.
Dor touches Of dried prairie grass are soft
end the night is chilly, the rain finds its way
through the cracks IN thin board walls
Marie thivers rs she whispers consolingly,
Its poor shelter, but IL beats none, ma
chere."
The shrill bark OF the cars do not disturbs
the slumbeTs OF Mr.. aud Mrs. Monseet, bat
at the irst sound oil a sharper, ahriller bark
0s II q number OF terriers had combined aud
oonsplred against our pesce o. mmd-Mrs.
Morseet Is aroused. and shrilly crying,
Wolves wolves at dc pigs" our host seizes
his shot gun, and rusned TO the rescue Of the
pOikeTs.
Peaco reigns for a time until tbs hen .roost
is invaded, and Mr. M0nsest grambles
skunk ct &c chickens, 'an1 tne gun is again
brought into use.
All night the wolves prowl about, and be.
tween their bark and howl, We fad sleep i'm
possible. and thankfully greet tine irst faint
light 4 dawn.
Mrs Morseet opens package OF nicely
Drowned coffee, pours quantity of the Der.
ries in pail pounds IL vigorously with n
WOODEN mallet, pours cold water upon 10 aud
sets IL over the coala to steep. Chicken again
for breakfast; and the victim a green and
orange plumed chanticleer is seized ~ ne
sits upon the table, and IA short order he
SINNERS in the pot" Corn cake aud mo-
Ia ses, no butter or milk. and plenty OF mel
on is served us.
The children, shy little things, do not
come near us, nor DO our host aud hostess
prove communicative, and they unhesitat-
ingly exact pay" for their hospitality.
The chill, stormy morning drives the dogs.
oats and fowls into the house, aud We anx-
iously watch the clouds, hoping TO catch q
giesm OF sunshine, and long srden.ly for
gossameTs and rubbers. At noon the clouds
D eek away, we mount our Bronchos and
tnanRinlIy ride away. Marie does not psss
unheeded by the tall, plumY grasses, bright
ened and refreshed by the rain, no sign OF
the coming winter. with its bare, desolate
branches, dead leaves and dreary expanse OF
brown prairie.
At Vinita we find an Indian town, good
schools. and many comforts which were
duly appreciated oy us, whoze curiosity was
stated; we no longer thought tue care free life
Of the red children OF the forest so romantic
as We had pictured.
Deeper into the timber we penetrated and
made the acquaintance of gsyly dressed ma.
tiyes respondent in buck-skin leggins, silver
fringe and tassels and scarlet blankets, living
In tents.
Mares eager search after the beautiful,
wild and primitive led into disagresable ad-
ventures oftentime, but like other souls fred
with artistic desires, discretion and prudence
are flung to the winds.
Beautiful indeed is the Nation" and bluer,
softer skies never shone up0n more goodly
land. real delight to the lover Of nature in
her Wild natural loyeIinees