The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-04
FEARS THAT WERE eRouNDLEss.
Mrs. Browns Experience in the Indian
Territory.

territory.
From the United Service Mdoazfne.
On bright. balmy morning in the spring
OF 1872 the regular ''thorough-bracen went
swinging out Of border town in Texas,
bound for Muskogee, the then terminus OF
the Missouri, Kansas and Texas railroad.
The occupants Of the eoacn were Capt.
and Mrs. Brown, bound for the east on a
six months leave of absence, two native
Texans. and two gentleman from the east
who had been travelling through Texas In
the interest OF some land scheme and sheep
farms.
On stopping for dinner and a change Of
horses, another passenger entered the coach
and took the vacant seat in front of Mrs.
Brown. A tall figure with swarthy COM
plexion aud stern face. He was dressed in
suit or black cloth, broad hrimmed hat
and gray blanket over his shoulders.
IAN Indian" whispered Mrs. Brown. as
she instinctively drew near her husband,
who occupied with her the rear seat of the
coach.
Soon the gentlemen from the east eager
for information, began plying the new
conner with questions. The answers came
slowly, with that precision of pronunciation
which shows a not thorough knowledge
or the language, and soon every ear was
intent upon catching what the Indian had
to tell of his people. till the night came on,
bringing with is indications of a storm.
which soon broke in fury upon them. The
windows of the coach were closed to keep
out the driving rain, and the darkness in
side was relieved only by the lightning,
which came at longer intervals, until the
rain settled down into a quiet drizzle.
The conversation had ceased when the
rain began, and one by one the passengers
slept
Mrs. Brown, however, was not asleep.
She opened the window and looked out
The long thin rays OF light, thrown forward
on the road by the lanterns on the front of
the stage, made the darkness blacker in the
rear, and she shuddered as she withdrew
her head, afraid Of she knew not what Her
husband was sound asleep by her side. Soon
she discovered that another passenger was
awake. the Indian. During the afternoon
she had watched him with interest, and
had not failed to note the size of his wrists.
which seemed enormous, though his
hands were rather small and shapely.
She had wondered how many scalps
he had taken, and how long since he had
discarded the headdress of feathers for the
broad-brimmed hat. and had ceased to paint
his face. In imagination she now felt his
hands about to seize her throat, those hands
that had torn off many scalps. She drew
nearer her husband, put her arm through
his. hoping the movement would waken
him, but he slept on. The coach came to q
stop; voices were heard outside, and light
flashed through the window full on the face
of Mrs. Brown. She uttered low cry.
Don't be frightened, madam" said the
Indian In low voice; SIT Is only the down
coach. It must be near daybreak"
Mrs Brown made no reply and the stage
rumbled on again in the darkness, which
now seemed all the blacksr. Not a sound
was heard save the steady drip, drip, drip Of
the rain.
the signs Of dawn were in the east did Mrs.
Brown relinquish her vigil, and slept until
the stage stopped for breakfast at a large
stone house, modern in style, with nicely
kept grounds. Vines covered the low
piazza; an air of comfort and refinement
pervaded the entire place. The parlor was
neat and comfortably furnished-a cabinet
organ, bookcase filed with books, fancy
work here and there.
No one was visible about the house save
the proprietor, who came in few moments
to announce breakfast of broiled chicken,
eggs. potatoes coffee. and delicious bread
and butter. While waiting on the piazza
after breakfast, one Of the gentleman from
the east asked:
"Where are all the Indians in this part
of the countryl | haven't seen any yet, ex-
SOIo VIC ASAA ecu We hdfO al VIC oVhX6
with u.s.
The proprietor smiled as he replied:
~ am Indian. sir. F"
SIS that 500" replied the gentleman; land
do you own this placer
This is my house, and | have here a
large farm. White people are usually sur
prised in passing through the territory not
paint; but white people know little about
the Indian
The country through which the stage now
passed was dotted here and there with COM
Portable dwellings, beautiful farms and fine
woodlands. Occasionally small village.
with streets, neat and clean, cottages,
stores and carpenter shops, would be
passed, and it was hard for the travellers to
realize they were among Indians.
Late in the afternoon the stage entered a |
village, and stopped for change of horses.
A bevy OF Indian girls in picturesque |
dresses of bright colorS gathered around the |
coach. One, beautiful woman. with |
dark. starry eyes. hair as black and glossy |
as the ravens wing, with bright beads |
woven among the braids artistically coiled |
about the shapely head, came forward with |
a plate OF small cakes, which she gave the |
Indian passenger, and stood talking to him |
In low, mystical voice until the stage /
started on again. The Indian watched her
as she stood looking after the coach until a |
turn in the road hid the village from view.
Then, turning TO Mrs. Brown and Offering
ner cake, he said:
That woman was my wife two years
ago. but we could not live happily together,
10 the governor said we could live apart.
Now she lives here, and my home is at Mus
zogee."
yet you must be friends, as she makes
lhese cakes for you"
20. yes. we are good friends, and she
always has cakes for me when | pass this
way; but we couldn't live quietly together"
lie answered, in voice full of sadness, and
Mrs. Brown considerably looked away as
le hastily drew his hand across his eyes
The stage was due at Muskogee at o'clock
The next morning, but the gentleman from
he east and the Texans decided TO take the
construction tram at the next stopping
,lace, and reach Muskogee before nightfall.
capt. and Mrs. Brown, however, preferred
% continue the journey in the stage, and
DON they were left alone with the Indian.
When Capt. Brown made inquiries of the
river regarding the accommodations he
would get at Muskogee the Indian said:
IF you will trust me, sir, l can take you
o a nice place, where you will be well cared
or"
''All right" replied the captain. "You
ell the driver where to 60"
The Indian took seat with the driver.
iding for some time, and when another
top was made he resumed his place inside
be coach. He talked to them of his youth.
old many interesting legends of his tribe