Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-11-04
NOT PLAYING POSSUM.
The Bravo Act OF Scout in the
Oil Regions

The Bravo Act OF Scout in the
Oil Regions
Below MS the brook, swollen by tho
recent rain, rushed turgidly through
the narrow valley and swept in a long
muddy curve around the distant bend
In the road. The oil scout felt like
talking. and was anxious to hear him.
Out Of the sun, then. and supinc in the
soft pine shadows we lay, while he told
me the story of the ruined "mystery"
over in the ravinc.
When all this region roundabout was
MS Wild as that hillside, save that tho
larch and iir'and white pine were then
free to grow to their statclicst height;
when the deer came fearless to drink
from the brook, and the snake seldom
sounded its warning rattlc-that is 10
say, only three years ago-tho gnarlcd
old oak that stands there in the clear
ing, whose broad branches had shell
tered the human form divine in the
person Of the savage Indian, 1uttered
its leaves in surprise one day over the
vcnturesOme head of the first oil scout
TO traverse these forsaken paths.
A New Highlander, young and sup
pie, with all the cunning and courage
cf Yankee. he had been singled out
by those whose interest il was TO know
the latest operations in the new terrific
ry to watch and report the develop
ments at the mystery" then sinking
In the ravinc beyond. He was Gond
OF such adventures for the excite
ments sake; he received a fixed wage,
and was not prompted. therefore, to
engage in his work by avaricc or ma
leyolcncc. Aud as he reclincd in the
grateful shade of the oak, painting
from tho eNertion of scaling the steep
hill, that sturdy old tree, unbcnding
presently from it, first surprise, fell to
tanning him with its long. ru,tling
arms, and the birds overhead warblod
a iIrncful greeting.
1t was one of the early days of
spring. and as every thing about him
seemed overcome by the influence of
the indolcrt air so the scout, forgctful
OF duty, lay outstrctchcd beneath the
oak dreaming Df the stately clms of
New Haven. When be awoke it WIS
with the hot rays of tho sun burning
his upturncd face, whi the lazy wind
was wrcnching admunitory creaks
from the robust branches OF the tree.
and leaning against its trunk stood a
small child gazing cOmpassonately
upon him through violet eyes
"Oh! you're not dead, arc youP"
sho cried. clasping her hands and her
little bosom DalDitatinp
"No. indeed. Don't look alive?"
"You do now, but yoa didn't when
you was so quiet"
This child was a wonderfully inter
esfing thing TO the scout He hadn't
talked to one for a year.
"IIow did you know asn't play
ing 'possumP"
81 never played that, What Is itPn
He laughed and she chimed in like a
rilver bell, the sweetest sound the scout
had heard in long time.
Why, 10 play you're asleep when
you aren't" She smiled as though she
didn't understand, and came and sat
down by his side.
How could you play that all alone?
loa didn't know was here, did you?'
The quaint conccit amused them
both, aud they laughed together again,
looking frankly into each others faces.
Tell me your name" he urged.
liking one OF her small hands into his
nrge brown one, and handling il as
lcnderly as he would delicate piece
Of lace.
''My names Daisy; and live with
mamma and papa over there"
He dropped the hand and looked at
her eagerly. "Do you know papap /
thought you didn't No one ever
comes 10 see usi papa won't let any
body, aud mamma Is awful afraid. I
had a little brother once, but he died
last month, and I'm all alone now,
and mamma cries Whenever | talk about
Ossie, so papa won't let me do II any
more. But come here every day and
play and think Of Ossie, and OH get
awful lonely sometimes playin' alone. :"
"Why do you com here Daisy?"
'Why, dom [ you knowP Ossio's bur-
ried here. You had your head ON his
grave"
Now tho scout made sudden and
very peculiar resolve. Perhaps he
WAS married; anyway no must have
been remarkably soit-hcarted for
scout He siczed Daisy 81 his arms
and covered her pretty brown face
with kisses Then he said very
eOlemnly.
''Daisy, goodbye Some day may
come and see you again. but now /
must hurry away. Only Daisy. II your
father gets happy soon-that is,
mean. IN he"----
''Sidkeg oil. do you mcanP" asked
She precociously.
'Yes.' laughed the scout. kissing
her again and again. until she wriggled
away; Eyes, Daisy, II your father
strikes oil aud seems very glad sbout
Il you tell him that yon saved him
from scout will your But mind.
l.ttlo one, don't say any thing until
But nt this instant. when little
Dalsys violet eyes were wide open
with wonder and the enthusiastic scout
Nas preparing 10 take parting kiss
from her cherry lips two men came
from behind tho great oak and as one
,natchcd Daisy screaming 70 his breast,
lhc other pointing q ristol at the head
nl The scout SAID, slernly;
~ could shoot you II wished. but
rxe 40 fondnesa for homicide. ! adj
flsn yon. however. 10 follow that man
and nlf daughter without resistance
And then IA lhls Mdlan file, Daisy
N lfolll. tnrnlhk now and ihon her
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