Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-01-17


Derby woman with thin. sharp face
and faded rcd hair, who was prepare
ing tho table for supper My sister
Cynthy, MIMI"
'Jasper." said Mark.
"Yes-Jasper Wal, | hope | make
you both acquainted.
Mark took of hie overcoat and sat
down before a blazing wood fire in n
largo old-fashioned hreplacei and
while the old mar was bustling
around and the sistol rsttled the dishes
in a neighboring closet, he had an OPP
portunity TO look around.
What attracted his attention first
was the floor. which was painted 20
represent waves dashing here and
there. Next he noticed that every
thing was lashed either to the
floor or to the wall, the sarne
ns in the cabin Of ship. and as
" gale might be expected any
moment TO upset the house The
brass door-knobs wore poll.hed. and
there was nothing that shewed The
slightest hint OF dirt. A cleaner roOm
could not be imagined, and Mark be-
gan to feel comfortable and at home
before no had been seated in it five
minutes. The tall. ancient clock IN a
distant corner seemed TO have y Ifiend-
ly tick; tho fire was hospitable and the
table looked inviting.
AT last the old man. or Uncle Seth,
as Il was soon discovered he was
called by every body, announced that
Sis said supper was ready and in
vited Mark to move up and help him
selk Sister Cynthia soon joined them,
and then Uncle Seth fell to eating and
talking. He had sailed the seas ever
since his youth and was full Of stories,
anecdotes and good natu'e Mark
laughed until he was red In tho face,
and soon became tho best OF friends
with him. BY the time the meal was
finished Uncle Seth had become so
confidential that he began to confde
TO him much OF his personal history.
Sitting at one corner OF the Hearth
and resting his wooden leg across a
chair he smoked and told about a
long cruise in a whaling ship and then
OF a voyage to Australia during which
water casx rolled on him and
crushed his leg. Since then he had
been aground, he said, pulled up high
and dry,
Before Mark Wes aware Of Il the
evening had slipped away and the
clock was striking ten Unela Seth
then inquired Of Sister Cynthia
whether the teacher was TO sleeI
"ior'ard or up aloft," and, learning
her preference. led Mark TO a spar,
room, opening of the parlor There
were green paper curtains at the win
dows, peacock's feather dropping
over small lookiug-glass, three o.
four shells on the mantel-piece, and {
collection OF daguerfcotypes, Framed
in a group, hanging above it. Tn,
room was so chilly, however. tina
Mark did not pass many moments ex
amining these details. He looked a
the daguerreotypes long enough 4
discover that one OF them was pict
ure OF Uncle Seth, taken when he wa
young man, and that another repre-
sented his sister in the bloom o
youth. Then, hastily undressing. h,
blew out the light, jumped into I
plump old-fashioned bed. and sool
afterward was sound asleep.
His first thoughts in the morning
were. OF course, about the school III
could see the drab-colored old buildin,
: on a small hill short distance away
The smoke was beginning TO curl NJ
from its chimney when he sat down Il
breakfast, signifying that one pupil
at least, was already on hand. Witt
some anxiety Mark watched the clocl
until it was u quarter OF nine, and thei
he started 20 begin his work. Will,
he walked leisurely up the hill towar,
the school-house, he saw the buys anC
girls crowd around the door 10 look a
him; and as he drew near them thel
Ciggled so much he became confused
But his embarrassment soon passed OF
when he had gone among them an,
called them to order They numbers
thirty-nine-big and little. short an
stout. and they all watched him tn
; most OF the forenoon. Three Of tn
larger boys in the back row were tn
pupils. Mark decided. who woul
probably cause him the most annoy
ance.
No indication OF trouble appeared
: however during the day. Every
thing glided on very smoothly; an
Mark. sitting near one Of the windows
watched the ships in the distanc
dreamily while he heard the big an
3 the little recite their lessons. 1t woul
not be such difficult undertaken
E after all. he fancied. The location c
5 the school-house was picturesque an
q romantic; IL was pleasant 10 bo s
I near the ocean; and the effort TO teac
4; was certainly not great But IL cam
: TO pass that these reflections were th
D result OF inexperience. On the thir
: day the tough set" whom Uncl
5 Seth had spoken Of, began the attach
q and Mark had no more peace until tn
a term was nearly completed. He ain
5 no ways big enough 10 learn us,
o couple Of the largest and most stupi
j boys declared "Hc's agoin' TO be p,
s out right spry.n
"It's their old game, young man.
e said Uncle Seth, rubbing his woode
:, leg thoughtfully. Their great -idt
r in life is TO pat somebody out; and / ,
= always said that the teacher who coul
: master them would be fit to Cover
h ROosia.
Marks first feeling was disgust. I
g wrangle with ignorant bullies was nc
h TO his taste; and he was undecidC
Q whether he would not give up II
b school at once. They could easily pl
= him out, OF course, II they determine
G 10 do so; and 10 attempt 20 fight wit
e them was no part OF discretion. i
+ Inv awake most OF one ni0ht thinkfu