Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-26

The Shabby but Picturesque Attire In which
Lo Clothes Himself.

The Shabby but Picturesque Attire In which
Lo Clothes Himself.
| Pine Ridge Letter to Chicago Tribune.
1passed an interested hour in ono Of the
| traders stores, which was filed with loungers
| and buyers. Tho long, low room was crowded
| mostly with men. but few women shared the
| bench upon which sat and some others passed
about negotiating purchases as best they could
with the aid of interpreters and signs. Here
had opportunity for studying the costume Of
the men, which is certainly more attractive
| than that Of the women. The blanket is worn
by them in an entirely different manner. In
most cases it envelopes the entire form, wrapped
| about the head and descending in graceful folds
to the ground Among the younger men the
| counting blanket was most frequently seen. The
wearing OF this garment. as its name indicates,
signifies the existence of an ardent fame within
the breast beneath. tits handsome affair of dark
blue WOOL deliberately ornamented with beads
and ribbons in devices which are strikingly
effective Sometimes small round mirrors are
introduced into the design. Beneath this
blanket appear broad leggins and moccasins
brilliant with embroidery, while trailing be-
mind In nat square lie a sash similarly adorned.
was unable to get a glimpse of the upper gar
mene, as the blanket was never lowered be-
meath the chin. Seldom indeed was any part
OF the face visible, save the black eyes peering
above the edge Of the blanket, held carefully
over the mouth. Sometimes the features were
more fully concealed by the shadow of a SLOUGH
nat ornamented with feathers and bands OF por-
cupine work. But now and then q countenance
appeared Respondent the pallet of disciple
OF realistic art. The natural mineral paints
which are said to abound upon this reservation
would certainly find a home market if manu-
featured here.
Many of the tall men about me were clothed
in sheets in lieu of blankets. Different reasons
are given for this dress, that their hearts are
bad, either from grief or anger, &c, but the
simple explanation Is probably that they pos
sess none other. The sensation produced by
these ghostly figures with cleaning eyes and
silent, stalking tread is nervous, to say the
least Visions of daggers and conspiracy be-
hind those toga-like draperics seem to arise nat
urally.
Many of those present wore the white mans
garb. or notifications of it, but few were with
out the blanket in one form or another. In
deed. such a covering Is essential FOR comfort
In Dakota's frigid climate, and is more simple
as well as more picturesque than any hooded
ulster which has been devised.
Tho dress OF Sioux women is not designed to
show beauty Of form should they possess it.
The heavy blanket worn loosely over the head
and fastened blouse fashion about the hips pro-
duces squat appearance. which is usually in
creased by the bulk of child upon the
mothers back. Sometimes two children are
carried thus. We noticed among the crowd
numbers OF the Naval 10 blankets, remarkable
al 'heii othiAinb patterns III Uiue Uidch,
white, yellow and red These, mingled with
those Of red and blue which are issued by the
government. belted with the snowy squaw
belts, produced gorgeous effect, which the
snowy background intensified These sguaw
belts, while sometimes of beads. are usually
made of leather thickly studded with brass mai!
heads or of continuous plates of German silver
obtained from the traders and beaten into the
desired shapes They sometimes hang from
the SIDE, trailing upon the ground A sheath
of similar manufacture suspended from it
holds the murderous-lo looking knife which they
use in preparing meat. That these are some
times put to more cruel service is as we'll
known as is the ferocity of these stolid-appear-
ing women when it is aroused. 1t is they who
mutilate the dead upon the battlefields. MAX
ing ghoulish orgies of the work, illustrating
lesson all history has taught-repression re-
acting with terrific force when Its opportunity