The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-10-03
THLINKET HUMoK-
Joke On Judge Pemberton-As Intslligen,
As Old OreGonianA
TnfS


As Old Oregonians.
Kate Field
That the Indians posses . q keen sense of
humor IL shown in an amusing incident
that happened among the Hxidahs. Chief
Bear Skin OF Skidegate vent to Victoria.
where he had some high words with Judge
Pemberton. who decided q case against
him. Wondering. as he returned home,
how it was possible to be revenged on
Judge Pemberton. he decided upon last
ing ridicuie. Two tssems were put up on
each side of his house. and on top of both
totems stood Judge Pemberton In frock
coat and beil-crowned hat From the
roof of Bear SKINS house rose
. third and taller totem from
which a raven looked down with q broad
grin directed toward Pemberton. A bear
below was engaged IN the same pleasing
performance. Not ye; content. Bear Skin
put up totem for his brother and again
commanded the family bear 20 grin: which
command was fully obeyed.
As Inc natives passed they recognized
the likeness, and never neglected 10 ex-
claim: How are you. Pemberron
Snartlng under this ricicuie, Judge Penn
Der on waxed exceeding wrotn and ordered
the totems TO Dc destroyed-an order that
vas unfortunately carried OUT
stolcA as We consider the Indians il
only needs investigation 20 learn that they
are fond OF fun, though their fun may be
unique.
Every chief among the Tsimisisns for.
merry had MS jester, who was sent on en-
rsnds OF invitation, announced the arrival of
guests. and made JOKES for the general JOY,
while preserving his own gravity. He
received nothing for his salary. and In
herited nothing from his CHIEF, the position
being honor sufficient These Tsimisians
are the ihiinkeis' nearest southern neigh
oors on the mainland.
Coast Indians, however, are never so
iunny as when they pronounce judgment
on sinner. Then they rival Dogberry
and NeTges. First, in order TO De possessed
OF uncio0ded brains, they drink q decoc-
ton Oh salt water and povderes frog. which
acts IS al emetc- There must be virtue
IN frogs. as the Chinese lay great stress
upon them in their pharnacop<Hia.
With brains thus clarified, the iury capt
ure mouse and put him in q cage He is
Judge. Carefully watching the imprisoned
rnlin, TIE 3urg names over different per-
sons mo are supposed TO De implicated in
The offense, and when the mouse mods bis
terrified head-as he is sure 10 do sooner or
ater, IL beng the way with mice-sne gull
person Is slgnined and forthwith con-
cemned.
Is this system much worse, after all,
than our boosted jury of twelve men
whose recommendation for their response
Die position Is that they know nothing
Whatever OF the matter brought before
themI Unless they are fools they must
know the history OF the day, so only fools
or i ars are eligible. Mice may at times be
pref. e-
fhhnkets are good workers. Mr..
Ireaoweii. superintendent of the great
mine on Douglas island, told me that
they were tue best miners ne had, bet
ter than Chinese. The mission school al
Si'ka. large building that cost $50. 600.
was built by Indian boys under white su-
perintenoence-
The deputy marshal at Wrangei SAYS
the natives are as intelligent as the back
woodsmen OF Oregon were twenty years
ago. AT that time they were intelligent
enough 70 ask why the s.. 20o. coo paid by
the United States for their territory had
not been given to them Their ancestors,
IS wei as themselves, belonged to the soil.
what right had Muscovite carpet-baggers
to claim the land and turn il over 10 an
other nation for goid7