The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-10-28
THE WHITE MARE.

In the valley, about six miles above the
forks Of the Teton river, in northern Mon
tana, is the BlackfoOt Indian agency. A
high stockade of split logs standing on end,
deeply sunk in the earth. incloses about
two acres of ground
Heavy gates, opening outward, sway
harshly on great iron hinges A well is in
the center Of the Enclosure. Low log build
ings, covered with earth, are scattered
along the stockade.
A couple Of sandhill cranes stood expect
antly at the well, waiting patiently for a
thirsty man to draw water.
A white tailed deer, with a 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 slyly thrust into my hand,
giving me slight shock of surprise
By the stables stood a cow moose, stand
ing so awkwardly with crooked legs and
bumped back. and the pendulous lip
which Mark Twain calls 'the Hapsburg,"
that her very ugliness excited my pity. A
stood stupidity by her side.
Standing at the well. facing the grand
Rocky mountain range, drew bucket of
water. Drinking deeply, repulSing the
while the advances 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 repel-
ling furious attack on me by the long
Their long, hard bills clashed viciously as
they scornfully scolded me, and | was on
the point of beating a disgraceful retreat
when l heard, "HO, Frank come have a
mouthful of whiskyP'
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 company.
Bidding Burr "Good morning" I de-
clined the whisky on grounds unnecessary
to state; yet the barrel had yellow head,
Aad-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 in IAN eastern country was here.
AS we walked he explained the business to
me. Allugring? Not at all. He, looking
at his watch, said, 1--WE have yet time be-
fore breakfast to look at my mare"
Tbss sudden change in the expression of
the voice, the softening of the eyes as this
lard Indian trader spoke of his horse ex-
cited my curiosity and l went with him
He took me to low log stable, the chinks
carefully mudded, the open shutter and
door well made and carefully fitted, so as
60 exclude the buffalo gnats in season. A
few short, heavy chains stretching from
post 10 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, well, you have
not grown hsndsomer during the night"
Burr whistled. and with u joyful neigh the
mare turned her head toward him and babe
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 fiecking tail,
followed behind hir, or, caressingly adj
vancing to his size rubbed her body
against his, as though the mere contact
with the man was grateful to her His
arm instinctively lifted and dropped across
her neck.
The two walked on together unconscious
of any incongruity. A bucket of water
stood at the well The high bred creature
smelt of it, and detecting my previous
presence, disdainfully refused to drink af
ter me. Emptying the bucket Burr drew
another, and of this the mare drank slow
~, 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 70 a stranger by
laying back her ears and thrusting out her
white toothed muzzle toward me in a vi
cious manner. causing me TO step hastily
/ isok- They passed into the darkness Of
the stable.
Burr comes out with a bucket, puts up
thee tepmost chain and goes after barley.
Ther mare with outstretched head looks af-
ter hlim with kind eyes. Again she saw
me, nd with wide opened mouth reached
aroun the post 10 psy me the attention of
her d rslike. Returning TO the stable with
afu'1 bucket of barley Burr passed in.
heard him pour the grain into the feed
box; / heard him speak TO his mare as his
dear girl, aud heard him-kiSs her.
A singular gentleness had come overthis
hard man. steeled ia human suffering and
woe, whose business il was 70 impoverish
Indians, 70 destroy their morals, 20 brutify
them with the devil alcohol He sat AT the
breakfast table, silently thinking, with his
antelope steaks and trout untssted before
him. Watching the softened face won
dered what was the story. So asked:
Burr, why DO You love that white
mare" BE locked kindly at me. and with
n sad sAile replied;
Tonight after TIE men are IN bed.
VIII ten you the story" Then briskIy:
Frank, this is not business. Eat, my boy.
then clear out, and fish or hunt. You viii
find some prairie hens IN the big willow
thicket about five miles below here. saw
them the other day. Shoot some. Tonight
we will have a feast, and will open my
two last bottles OF sherry. and we VIII
talk"
His face hardened. The cold, deadly look
--tnTn"d 10 the gray eyos. and our break.