Daily Yellowstone journal., 1888-06-09
SCENES AMONG THE SIOUX.
What the squaws aud Young Bucks Buy.
Vain and Fond of Finery.

What the squaws aud Young Bucks Buy.
Vain and Fond of Finery.
An Indian who has q bundle Of pelts
to dispose of is one of the most impatient
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 the tired employees yet in bed
are aware by the shuflling of their moe
casined feet on the front porch that their
chances for another nap are decidedly
u~nfavorable. Placing their packs Of
hides or furs on the porch they wander
from window to window, peeping inside
TO ascertain If anybody is yet astir
within. When satisfied that all the EN-
ployes are yet 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 q lusty drumming on
the panes, accompanied with the e~Jacula-
ton! ''E-nock-e-ne-ku-lah" hurry up,
friend). This soon has the desired effect,
and in a 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 IL is impossible TO take time to
sweep the door and dust the goods be-
fore the breakfast call. The crowd con-
tinues increasing until about 0 O'Clock,
when the store is literally jammed with
Indians, men, women and children, and
hordes of dogs. Then what a row Of
painted faces, nodding plumes and fan
tastic costumes you see ranged along the
counter, and what a Babel Of confusion
all clamoring to be waited on at once.
A 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 it be high
or low his reply is greeted by a chorus Of
scornful EXPLANATIONS and derisive laugh
ter. During the process OF tearing off
the desired amount the trader is made
the bun OF a series of ridiculous taunts,
IN which a 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 door, smoking
and chatting. Occasionally q dog fight
starts up, which creates a short stam-
pede, until the belligerent CANNES are
fired out.
Some Of the peculiarities Of the In
dams in trade are very troublesome to
the trader. For instance, il one sells
furs to the amount of IS or 81 and
agrees to take his pay in goods, he usu-
ally insists on having the amount in
money counted out and given him before
he begins TO purchase. When he re-
ceives the cash he begins to purchase,
paying 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
leo, laying down a dime, the price Of
one yard. when that is measured he con-
unues. putting down a dime at each
measure until the desired number is
reached. when it is torn oil and given
hun. Even then he is not through with
you, for every purchaser, no matter
about the extent of his bill, expects
''sln.te," which must be a present OF
some matches, apples, candy or the like.
The squaws are as much given to IAN
ity as their white sisters of civilization,
the articles which they covet most being
vermilion for painting the face, beads,
fancy c~alicoes and shawls of gaudy colors.
~lroquols, a small bugle shaped shell, is
much priced and is used for making
necklaces and for the ears.
They also purchase a 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 a buck purchase n bottle it is not
likely that be would use il for toilet pur.
poses; he would remove the cork and
gravely turning up the bottle drink oil
the contents at a draught, He does the
same with favorinG extracts, lemon,
vanilla, etc,
The Indians bring n great many curl
uslte~ 10 the store 10 he exchanged for
goods Tie squaws are quite tasty in
the manufacture Of these native orna-
ments, winch consist Of knife ~scahbards,
pony whips, moccasins and other gew-
gave made Of buckskin and worked with
leads and porcupine quilts. The most
interesting article, however, and one
which ever commands a ready sale, is
the Indian dolls. They are usually
dressed In buckskin, in perfect imitation
OF a brave ready for the war path, with
frtnged leggings and tiny moccasins, the
crown OF the head being covered with
buffalo hair terminating In a long wisr
behind. With faces Enthusiastically painted
they present a very hostile appearance.
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 petriiied remain:
picked up in their wanderings.-Sam
Parker In Detroit Free Press.