The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-19
de no SquaW."

At the beginning of this century the fur trade
was lucrative business; but the traders led a
life of privation, says the Roanoke Reuietr, and
often of danger and hardship. Many of them
were rude of manner, with a reckless courage
which served to keep the Indians respectful.
But occasionally a gentleman chose the posi-
ton, either with the hope of lettering his tort
une. or with a QuiXotic notion of netting the
indian. with some such idea as this last men
toned, John De Vine moved his family to an
isolated station in Northern Minnesota in 1894,
and opened store TO trade with the Indians.
Mr.. De Vine was small of stature and quiet in
his ways and treated his red customers with
honesty and fairness. The previous trader had
been man of different stamp and the Indians
naturally failed at first to understand the new
conner.
Mr. De Vine had been at the station but few
months when the Indians began to be mpudent
and disagreeable, and to demand more than
their due. Thus does man often suffer from
the mistakes of others.
TIE Indians were we'll aware that the old
trader had cheated them whenever he could.
and they supposed that Mr.. De Vine would do
the same if he dared. They deemed him a
coward. and acted accordingly, He squaw,"
they said.
AS the weeks passed the Indians became more
troublesome. One young brave in particular
had two or three tunes audaciousy helped
himself to something that he wanted, and
laughed when the trader objected.
"Qh, yes, me pay, me pay" he said, inso-
lently.
One day he went to the counter and took a
plug of tobacco. Mr. De Vine ordered hun to
paw for it ana leave the store. Instead OF obey
ing the young redskn cOolly went up and took
a second plug Of tobacco.
Mr.. De Vine lost his temper ct this. and seiz
ing knife which lay near, he brought it down
Torcibly upon the Indians fingers. As a result
the tips of two fingers were left on the counter
The redskin put the bleeding stumps in his
mouth, and walked out of the store without
word The trader had not meant to strike so
hard blow and regretted the rash act. The
brave was chief s SON and Mr.. De Vine ex-
pected that trouble would result. He felt
vaguely uneasy during the rest of the day.
The next forenoon. as Mr.. De Vine ID be-
fore the stove, half score of Indians fled into
the store. One of them bolted the door. They
were in war paint, fully armed, ana evidently
had come for mischief.
I'VE come kill you!" spoke out the foremost
Indian
Qdick as thought the trader seized a burning
brand and leaped to the side of a barrel of gun
powder.
Come one step nearer" he said, rUsolutely,
and l drop this brand into the powder. and
Wen all blow up together I'm not afraid, " and
he held the brand almost over the open powder
barrel.
mo blow up powderl" the Indian leader ex-
claimed; mo blow up POWDER and then, turn
ing 30 his followers, he SAID: He no squaw; he
brave man.
Put down your guns" commanded Mr.. De
Vine
The Indians hesitated a moment, and the
trader advanced the burning brand an inch
nearer the powder. At that every Indian laid
down his gun. 1t was evident that the trader
was in earnest
Now, leave the store' commanded Mr. De
Vine, land don one of you dare to show his
face here for month won't stand any more
nonsense"
The door was unbolted, and the redskins
solemnly filed out, leaving the trader master of
the situation. That was the end of the trouble
for that year Mr.. De Vine had proved his
courage