The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-01-26
AN INDIAN AND HIS CHILD.

the most notorious OF the Sioux chiefs, WHOSE
record during the late Indian wars excited
horror among the whites and onvy among
his savage rivals Rain-in-t the Face is today
the most famous Of the Sioux, with the ex-
ceptions Of Sitting Bull and Gall 1t was ho
who. whilc under arrest ut Fort Lincoln Tor
a crime which would have insured his death
on conviction, broke from the guard house
and escaped, although the guards were Keep
ing careful watch about the building IAN,
handsome, fierce and daring, he was The
prile of Lis followers He knew no fear ana
recognized no danger. Always ready for the
warpa'h, he was looked upon by tho Indians
MS an ideal chief and by his vigorous prose
rutior of the war which ended 81 disilstrousiy
10 the immortal Custer, ho gained world
wide reputation.
But 10 turn from war To the story OF his
domestic life. With tho admiration Of the
chiefs warriors came the love Of n maiden
ono of tho most beautiful of another, but
friendly, tribe. Rain-in-the-Faco returned
the love and accepted the object Of his
affection for his bride The marriage was
an event Of great importance among the In
dams, and many were the gifts bestowed
upon the cnvicd pair. With bis fame as n
warrior and his loving bride, the daring cher
seemed 10 have reaped the fun reward OF an
active and Din the Indian mind noble career
Life was filed with happiness for Ehin'in
the-Face. The sun never kissed a happier
pair Without the cares md burdens or so
cioty, with no exactIng rules OF etiquette,
with only The whispering wind for music ana
the starry heaven for roof, the Indian brlde
and groom could drink tho full and lavish
sweetness Of their love.
But wherever found whether in the palace
of the king or the wigwam of tho savage, love
is inconstant After period OF true devotion
To his wife, a sudden change came over ram
in-the- Face He learned that the maiden
whom he had taken unto himself was not tho
object upon which his love could center. lie
still regarded her with kindness, but his
affections wore transferred 10 another not TO
another maiden, but To tho chubby boy who
had como to crown his life with pride and
glory.
The babe was yet bit OF tawny, express
ionless flesh when he saw in his minds eye
pictures of greatness for the infant warrior
From this time -in-the-Face was changed
His thoughts returned TO the chase aud the
warpath lie aimed 10 lead such "A life that
the boy, cmuldting his example, might grow
M the leader of his race. What rosy pic
lures he uaintci for his son often at the
evening camp fire, when recounting his hat
ties and victories, would he speak with PRIDE
of Kosl.n uho name given the boy and mean
ing 'youil'l, for whom he predicted "a brill
liant and glorious career. With true Indian
superstition, no had watched the signs, and,
with the inevitable deductions of father, no
knew that they all meant greatness and re-
nown for Eoslia.
SO ran the proud days for Rain r-the-Fnce
until civilization began its work Of contract
ing tho Indian field. la every field it enters
civilization is an iconoclast but nowhere Is
its destruction Of idols and hopes so relentless
and so complete rs among tho Indians
When tho Sioux nation was placed upon the
immense reservation west of the Missouri
river tho tribes were separated. III so hap
pened that the tribe 90 which Rain in-the-
Face belonged was stationed ut Standing
Rock, while lis wife's tribe was sent to the
lower agency. Above all things that an In
dian resonts IL is removal from his tribe.
Tho tribe Of Eain-in-the Face being located
at Standing Rock, he insisted on remaining
while the young vito and mother pinned for
tho company of those with whom sho had
been reared She had realized that lshin-in-
the-Face had little love for her, He was
even jealous Of tho affection which she re
ceved from her pretty boy, who had now
grown to the toddling age.
Having remained at Standing Rock until
patience was exhausted, the wife departed
for her tribe, 800 miles distant, taking the
boy with her. She loft while l,ain-in-the-
Face was absent on hunt When the chief
returned he could learn nothing of the where
aboGts of his boy--ho made few inquiries
concerning the wife, for her desire TO return
TO her tribe rather than remain with linn had
extingushed the last spark of HIS love for
her, although he still regarded her jealousy
for the sake of his child II was II month be-
fore he learned the truth. Day and night
had he searched. He had secured the reserva
ton, but no KOska did he find. and at last he
learned that the boy had been tllion to the
lower agency He knew of the boys attach
ment for the mother, and was aware that she
would be defended in her claim to the son by
every Indian in her tribe, where sho was now
safely fortified To add TO his sorrow, his in
fuence among his Indians had been broken
by the agent, who found this the only way u
make him submissive.
For months he studied, planned and
dreamed devices for tho return of little
Koska The proud head dropped Rain-in
the-F Face was not himself. The hunt ne
longer had charms, nor did he join IN thu
shouts and dances. His boy He wanted hi!
Koska Wherever he went, whatever he did
his mind was on the boy. How humble ant
how meek was Rain-in-the-Face nowl Ii
former years he spoke 10 the whites with con
descenson and disdain. Now he sought then
for advice and consolation.
In conversation with ono Of his whit,
friends, he impaired tho secret Of his plans
He had decided 10 go to the lower agency
and, arriving in the night, steal the boy he
fore the camp could he aroused He wanted
the assistance Of his white friends. How b,
qutvered, and how his eye followed every
motion Of his friend, while he spoke, He fel
that the man was his friend, but he was moi
positive, and be trembled lest his confdenc,
would be betrayed. But no proceeded. Ii,
wanted his friend TO inform another trustee
friend at the lower agency, who would CIV,
him information regarding the location anC
surroundings OF the spot where his wife ant
boy were camped. Having laid bare hi
plans, he awaited reply. The friend wa
nonpluSsed at first, but having u high TO
gard for Rain-in-the- Face, and knowing how
deeply he was aggrieved, consented.
IL. g 4