Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-11-08
THE SIOUX MAIDEN'S MARE

THE SIOUX MAIDEN'S MARE
In the valley, about six miles above
the forks of the Teton River, in northern
Montana, is the Blackfoot Indian Agency.
A high stockade of split logs standing ON
end, deeply sunk in tile earth, incloses
about two acres of ground Heavy
gates, opening outward, sway harshly on
great iron hinges A well is in the CEN
Ter of the inclosure Low log buildings,
the stockade. A couple of sandhill
cranes stood expectantly at the well.
waiting patiently for thirsty man to
draw water. A white tailed deer, with
n broad blue ribbon on her neck, walked
daintily around Her cool black muzzle,
studded with drops of dew, brilliant in
the slanting rays of the rising sun, was
silly thrust into my hand, giving me a
slight shock of surprise. By the stables
stood a COW moose, standing so awk-.
wardly with crooked legs and bumped
back, and the pendulous lip which Mark
Twain calls "lhe Hapsburg, that her
very ugliness excited my pity. A moose
calf-her miniature in ugliness-stood
stupidity at her side. anding at the
well, facing the grand Rocky Mountain
range, drew bucket of water. Drink
ing deeply, repulsing the while the adj
vances of the female crane with my
moccasined foot, got the reward of all
men who reject the advances of the
tender sex, and was soon engaged in re-
pelling a furious attack on me by the
long legged twain. The attack was
fierce. Their long hard bills clashed
viciously as they scornfully scolded me,
and was on the point of beating dis
graceful retreat when / heard. "Ho,
Frank come have a mouthful of
whiskyi" Recognizing the voice / gladly
left the cranes in undisputed possession
of the water bucket, and walked across
the parade to the store of the fur COM
pany.
Bidding Burr "Good morning" l de-
clined the whisky on grounds unneces-
sary to state; yet the barrel had yel-
low head, and-and-well, knew the
tap sat and talked to Burr, who was
in charge of this extensive store, and
before breakfast he went over it with
me- A curious stock. Everything you
could not find ins an Eastern store was
here. AS we walked he explained the
business to me. Alluring? Not at all.
He, looking at his watch, said: I'VE
have yet time before breakfast to look
at my mare.
SxI,n fx1 fIn CIV ION
of the voice, the softening of the eyes,
as this hard Indian trader spoke of his
horse, excited my curiosity. and / went
with him. He took me to a low log
stable, the chinks carefully mudded, the
open shutter and door well made and
carefully fitted, so as to exclude the
buffalo gnats In season. A few short,
heavy chains, stretching from post to
post kept the horse in and the other
animals out. With breast pushing
against the topmost chain, with her
handsome broad head thrust out, and
alert ears cooked forward, stood a snow
white mare She was looking at the
moose with surprised expression on
her face, as much as to say: We'll, you
have not grown handsomer during the
night Burr whistIed, and with joy
full neigh the mare turned her head to-
ward him and bade him welcome. The
greeting between man and animal was
almost tender. The mare rubbed her
nose gently against his breast, and the
man stood softly stroking her delicate
neck. Unlocking the chains, they
dropped Burr walked toward the well.
The mare, with dainty steps, arched
neck, and fecking tail, followed behind
him, or, caressingly advancing to his
side, rubbed her body against his. as
though the mere contact with the man
was grateful to her. His arm instinct
lively lifted and dropped across her neck.
The two walked on together, uncon-
scious of any incongruity. A bucket OF
water stood at the we'll The high bred
creature smelt of it, and, detecting my
previous presence, disdainfully refused
to drink after me. Emptying the bucket,
Burr drew another, and Of this the mare
drank slowly. her white face gradually
sinking into the shallow vessel All
across the parade, on the return to the
stable, the love scene was re-enacted
As they passed me, the mare showed
her aversion to a stranger by laying
back ber ears and thrusting out her
white toothed muzzle toward me In a
vicious manner, causing me to step
hastily back They passed into the
darkness of the stable. Burr comes out
wisha bucket. puts up the topmost cham,
and goes after barley. The mare, with
outstretched head, looks after him
with kind eyes Again she saw me.
and, with wide opened mouth. reached
around the post to paw me the atten-
tions of her dislike. Returning to the
stable with full bucket of barley, Burr
passed in. heard him pour the grain
into the feed box; heard him speak to