Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1885-07-16

was gone,
What o'clock. old witch
shrilly sang seven OF the healthy. happy
young Nine Killers. The witch. Creek
girl, lndustriously kiniled a real fire. boiled
an imaginary kettle, preparatory to the cap
ture OF the flock zealously guarded by the
hen mother.
Time, October, 1884; place, the Cherokee
reservation, Indian territory.
Entertainment fur mass AMI hors" q
said the sign hanging over the low door OF
the Mine Killer tavern "a broad. low sod
house, with a comfortable duC-out near by
Mr.. and Mrs. Nine Killer were ths owners o.
fertile acres; yet very little stirring OF the
SOIL satisfied Mr.. Nine Killer 4 patch
OF corn, another of melons, AMI a small
garden supplied their wants, while the
travellers We're not numerous enough to make
much exertion necessary
In close proximity % the house. seven
white canvas-covered wagons stood, the
sleef Ing apartments Of a number OF young
braves. Clad Ia hunting shirts aud bucS-
skin !eggingS they leaned against these
wagons, watching me curiou~ly and covertly
from under white trimmed slouched hats, as
/ sat in tire low doorway Interested in the
growing smalneSs Of the flock OF chicks
wings and a loud Growing the hen mother
essayed to save that one; but the wary
witch showed no mercy. Soon the chicks,
crane and crow wei ready for the boiling,
stewine or frying that awaited them
"Adee, Adee, called Mrs Nine Killer,
the Cherokee hostess. which meant that the
Creek girl was wanted in the kitchen. Mrs
Nine Killer was woman 70 he obeyed
promptly Reluctantly the witch left her
chicks 10 fetch coal and water aud wait un
the cooks
The kitchen, dining room and bedroom.
all in one, was dark, long and narrow
room. At one end stood tine cooking range,
but the numerous vessels were seldom used
Mrs Nine Killer believed in taking her ease
and washing few dishes Dried venison ami
rabbit hams, also pieces o. bacon hung over
head: strings Of pumpkin and dried apples
were in convenient corners; cheerful biddies.
lordly chandeliers in gay plumage were
perfectly at home, perchel about upon the
chairs and tables; dogs AMI cats lay close %
the range, unmindful D. rhs kicks bestowed
upon them by Mrs Nine Killer aud her three
servants
For our dinner, A lee hastily stirred to-
gether corn meal, handful Of pumpkin
sauce, another of pre.~e l-out cracklings;
mixed it with water and set it in the oven to
bake. Mrs. Nine Killer stepped in cold
water half crushed coffee berries, then
boiled for an hour that beverage.
Would you like butter for dinneri" Mrs
Nine Killer politely inquired
Bent upon plea ing me, she set Adee 20
making the butter process 10 me entirely
new, the way she made il. Pouring a small
quantity Of sour cream into a quart bowl,
the Creek girl patiently beat with an iron
spoon the frothing cream until the butter
came. THIS was skinned off and placed un-
Salted before me
bowl Of pumpkin sauce, literally
sweetened with molasseS, was the sole desert
The coru cake was pGlatable, though SO
dark ia cpiur "a 10 spoil its relish. The meats
were varied and abundant Cold roast wild
turkey, prairie chicken, thin slices of dried
venison and rabbit hams were piled high be-
fore me-
Around me stood the children, ready for
their dinner, hich was given them in their
hands, the cats and dogs claiming their al
lowance tos Not one Of the family ate
with me, and the table was spread all after
noon for the convenience Of the hunters, who
came and went as il pleased them
In another apartment an upright piano
stood, and silk dress hung upon the wall
Proudly, Mrs. Nine Killer FASTENED to tell
me that | had not yet seen her daughter,
who was attending college. School books,
sheet music, a neat work basket, and bright
colored zephrys, all the property of Dodo
Nine Killer. made the small room seem
home-lilSe. "girlyfiedn
"DOdo learn all, eberyting; den learn US To
know um. too, when she git here" said the
proud mother, fondling the heavily jet EN-
broidered silk dress.
shrill scream from Adee, who had pulled
a kettle Of water boili-g hot from the
range, scaling herself, a number Of unfor
tunate fowls, cats and dogs, called Mrs.
Nine Killer 10 the scene. Poor Adse's bare
feet were severely scalded. Tenderly, Mrs.
Nine Killer applied remedies, at the same
time scolding loudly the careless servant.
Ny pony was at the door, aud the long
ride before me advised me 10 hasten; yet |
was unwilling TO leave the witch" in such a
sorry plight In the playground, Adee's
place was filed by another witch" larger
girl, one that had not seen. As rode
away, the young Nine Killers had again be-
gun circling about the old witch, AMI we're
singing in high-pitched voices, "Cnick, oh
chick, my crane etc, needless Of the loud
zroans OF the suffering Adee