The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-05-28
SCENES AMONG THE SIOUX.


|
creatures in the world. and gives the
trader no rest till he has exchanged them
for such articles as he most covets in the
store. In the early morning before sun
rise they begin to congregate about the
store. and tn. tired employees yet in bed
are aware by the shuffling of their moe
casined feet on the front porch that their
chances for another nap are decidedly
unfavorable. Placing their packs OF
hides or furs on the porch they wander
from window to window. peeping inside
to ascertain if anybody Is yet astr
within. When satisfied that all the EN-
ploves are vet abed, they contrive some
how TO cross the stockade fence, when
they pass through the yard to the rear OF
the store. where the clerks usually sleep.
Posting themselves at the bedroom win
dows they begin lusty drumming on
the panes. accompanied with the ejacula-
ton. "E-nOck -e-ne ku-lah hurry up,
friend). This soon has the desired effect.
and in few moments the door is I'M
| locked and thrown open and the business
of trading begins at once
So great is this morning rush that fire.
auently it is impossible to take time to
sweep the floor and dust the goods be-
fore the breakfast call The crowd con
tinues increasing until about o'clock,
when the store is literally jammed with
Indians men, women and children, and
hordes of dogs. Then what row Of
painted faces. holding plumes and fan
t,stic costumes you see ranged along the
counter. and what Babel OF confusion
all clamoring to be waited on at once.
| 4 cluster of squaws arrayed IN gaudy
shawls call the traders attention To a
certain piece of calico. and demand the
price. and no matter whether 1t be high
or low his reply is greeted 10y chorus OF
scornful ordinations and dersive laugh
ter. During the process OF tearing oil
the desired amount the trader Is made
the butt of "A series of ridiculous taunts,
in which more proficient adept than an
Indian squaw could nowhere be found
But still the throng increases and the
noise accordingly The benches around
the walls are crowded. and now they be-
| gin to sit in groups on the floor, smoking
and chatting. Occasionally dog fight
starts up, which creates a short STAN
| ,cde. until the belligerent CANNES are
fired out.
Some of the peculiarities of the In
dams III trade are very troublesome 10
| the trader. For instance, If one sells
furs to the amount of 81 or 81 and
agrees to take his pay i'll goods, he usu-
ally insists on having the amount in
money counted out and given him before
he begins to purchase. When he re-
ceivcs the cash he begins to purchase.
paving for such articles procured until
the whole amount is expended. Pres
emily another steps up and wishes change
| for 81 in dimes He then calls for cal
100. LAYING down a dime, the price of
one ward: when that is measured he con
tnurs. putting down a dime at each
measure until the desired number is
reached. when it is torn off and given
! him. Even then he is not through with
YOU. for every purchaser, no matter
about the extent of his bill, expects
.sin-te." which must be n present of
some matches, apples, candy or the like.
The squaws are rs much given to van
the articles which they coyet most being
vermiion for painting the face, beads,
fancy calicoes and shawls of gaudy colors.
Iroquois. "a small bugle shaped shell, is
much priced and is used for making
: rocit775Tes and ornaments for the ears.
Tbey also ruir.I..sa great many fancy
articles. such as little hand mirrors, per
fumery of various kinds, fancy soaps,
etc. Among the perfumery display there
is usually a few bottles OF bay rum, but
should buck purchase a bottle Ii Is MOI
likely that he would use il for toilet pur-
poses: he would remove the cork and
rraveIy turning up the bottle drink off
the contents at draught. He does the
same with havoring extracts, lemon,
vanilla, etc.
The Indians bring a great many curl
Osities To the store TO he exchanged for
goods. The squaws are quite tasty IN
| the manufacture of these native orua-
ments. which consist Of knife scabbards,
pony whips. moccasins and other gew-
| gaws made Of buckskin and worked with
beads and porcupine quilts. The most
| interesting dlAi'lIs iibNNfNif am NAiN
which ever commands a ready sale, Is
the Indian dolls They are usually
dressed in buckskin. in perfect imitation
u a brave ready for the war path, with
iringed Ieggings and tiny moccasins' the
crown of the head being covered with
buffalo hair terminating in long wisp
behind With faces Enthusiastically painted
they present a very hostile appearance.
I The articles brought in by the men con-
sist of deer heads. deer antelope and
buffalo horns; the latter however, are
now very rare. They also bring pipes,
tomahawks. war clubs, bows and arrows,
imitation scaIps. and petniied remains
picked M in their wanderings. Sam
| Parker in Detroit Free Press.
| 81.