The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-04-08
A sketching Tour.


Sunset, lowering clouds, denOting both
rain and wind, and no shelter near, save
fTail rudely constructed Territory" house,
around which q number OF round-eyed, cop.
per hued children, and bakers dozen OF
dogs, swarm.
In this plight an artist friend and myself
find ourselves, after days travelling in the
Cherokee reservation. Enthusiastic over this
dainty bit" and the picturesque spot" L
permitted Marie to lead the way and sketch
the mounds" clusters OF forest trees and
gorgeously cOloIed fora, forgetting the light
of time, and scarcity of houses in this wild
part OF the Indian Territory.
Two lone and lorn females, with no ex-
perience as campers.out, and the knowledge
that in the timber wolves lurksd. this poor
house was anxiously sighted" by Maria and
myself, when five miles away.
Cordially we were hidden TO come right
in, by Mr.. ard Mrs. Monseet, foil blood
Indians, speaking good English, and wear
ing ordinary dresses, but very little OF II.
Mr.. Monseet lsrietted the two ponies, and the
tough little beasts contentedly grazed, not
minding the drenehing rain and the keen
''norther," thst suddenly "blew up" even
in October. Peaceful and perfect mornings
are often followed by cold and dreary alter.
Moons.
Mrs. Monseess kitchen and parlor in one
ia not numbered with furniture. She mixes
the corn cake Of meal, SALT and water, in the
steTs s chicken in 1t. Once it was bright,
shining tin. It also does duty as coffee
boiler.
is good, that it is coveted; but why should
he spend life in dru6gsry2 patch" OF
corn, vegetable garden and melon patch,
tended by the women and children ara all
we'll enough. Coal, good wafer and timbar,
he has plenty. Truly, his home isin goodiy
| land.
Corn cake. chicken, aud coffee is served Us
on the pine box that IS wash stand, dining
| table, and useful in manifold ways. With
the dogs, children, and family OF sleek cats,
and ever 90 many fowls perched fsmiliarly
| about We quits fiji the house. The supper
| is abundant, and we-haTs crackers and
! fruit with rs, that are very nice eaten sur
Teptitiously.
Our oouches of dried prairie grass are soft,
| sEd the night is chilly, the rain hnds Its way
| through the cracks IN thin board walls
| Marie shivers as she whispers consolingly,
| ITS poor shelter, but IL beats none, ma
chere."
The shrill bark OF the ours do not disturbe
| the slumbers OF Mr.. and Mrs. Monsset bat
/ at the frat sound OF a shsrp per, shriller bark
| as If q number of terriers had combined and
conspired against our peace OF mlnd-Mrs.
| Monseet is aroused, and sbrilly crying,
| wolves, wolves at de pigs" our host seize5
| his shot gun, and rushed to the rescue OF the
! poIksTs.
Peaes reigns for a time until the hen-roost
/ is invaded, and Mr. Monsest grumbles,
/ 'Skunk at De chickens, hand the gun is again
| brought into use.
An night the wolves prowl about, and be-
| tween their bark and howl, We find sleep in
! possible and thankfully greet the frat faint
/ light Of dawn.
HRS. Monseet opens q package OF nicely
Drowned coffee pours a quantity OF the bsr-
| ries in pail pounds it vigorously with a
Il wooden mallet, pours cold water upon il and
sets il over the Goals to steep. Chicken sgain
for breakfast; and the victim, g green and
sits upon the table, and in short order he
SINNERS in the pot" Corn cake and mo-
| lssses, no butter or milk, and plenty of mel.
on is Eerved us.
The children, shy little things DO not
come near Us, nor do orr host and hostess
| prove communicative, and they unhesitat-
ingly exact nay" for their hospitality.
The chill, stormy morning drives the dogs
oats and fowls into the house, and we snx-
iously watch the clouds, hoping to catch q
CLEAN OF sunshine, and long ardently fol
gosamers and rubbers. at noon the clouds
break away, we mount our Bronchos and
thankfully ride away. Marie does not pass
UNDECIDED by the tall, plumY grasses, bright
ened and refreshed by the rain, no sign o.
the coming winter, with its bare, desoatG
branches, dead leaves and dresry expanse o.
brown prairie
At Yinita, We find an Indian town, good
schools, and many comforts which were
duly appreciated by Us, whose curiosity wa,
stated; we no longer thought the 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
tives, resplendent in buck-skin leggins, silyel
fringe and tassels and scarlet blankets, living
in tents.
Mares eager search after the beautiful
wild and primitive led into disagreeable ad
ventures oftentime, but like other souls & rec
with artistic desires, discretion and prudence
are flung to the winds.
Beautiful indeed is the Nation, !" and bluer
softer skies never shone upon a more goodly
land, real delight to the lover Of nature in
her wild, natural loveliness.