The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-07-17
WAS NO SQUAW.
How Trader Got Rid of. Some Tro ubls-
some Indians.

some Indians. 3
At the beginning of this century the
fur trade was lucrative business; but
the traders led life of privation, and
often of danger and hardship. Many
of them were rude of manner, with a
reckless courage which served to keeR
the Indians respectful But occasion
ally a gentleman chose the position,
either with the hope of lettering his
fortune. or with Quixotic notion OF
benefiting the Indian. With some such
idea as this last mentioned, John De
Vine moved his family to an isolated
station in Minnesota, in 1904, and
opened a store to trade with the Indi-
ans.
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 a man of
different stamp, and the Indians nat
urally at first failed to understand the
newcomer.
Mr.. De Vine had been at the station
but few months when the Indians be-
gan to be impudent and disagreeable,
and to demand more than their due.
Thus does man often suffer from the
mistakes of others.
The Indians were well aware that the
old trader had cheated them whenever
he could, and they supposed that Ma
De Vine would do the same if he 1dared
They deemed him a coward. and acted
accordingly. He squaw," they said.
As the weeks passed the Indians be-
came more troublesome. One young
brave in particular had two or three
times audaciously helped himself to
something that he wanted, and laughed
when the trader objected.
80, yes, me pay, me pay" he said,
insolently.
One day he went to the counter and
took a plug of tobacco. Mr. De Vine
ordered him to pay for it and leave the
store. Instead of obeying, the young
redskin coolly went up and took Sec
ond plug of tobacco.
Mr.. De Vine lost his temper at this,
and Selling knife which lay near, he
brought it down forcibly upon the In
dams fingers. AS 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 re-
GREETED ais rash act. The brave was a
chiefs son, and Mr.. De Vine expected
that trouble would result. He felt
vaguely uneasy during the rest of the
day.
The next forenoon, as Mr. De Vine
stood before the store, half-score of
Indians filed into the store One of
them bolted the door. They were in
war paint, fully armed, and evidently
had come for mischief
1--WE come kill you" spoke out the
foremost Indian. ID,
Quick as thought the trader seized a
burning brand, and leaped to the side of
barrel of gun-powder
Come one step nearer" he said, reso-
iutely, and | drop the 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.
nv pA'" ny DO"uCi. Iilc luuldl
leader exclaimed: mo blow up pow
DER and then, turning to his followers,
he said, ''FIe no squaw; he brave man.
"Put down your guns commanded
Mr.. De Vine.
The Indians hesitated moment, and
the trader advanced the burning brand
an inch nearer the powder. At that
every Indian laid down his gun. twas
evident that the trader was in earnest.
Now, leave the store" commanded
Mr.. De Vine, land don't one of you dare
to show his face here for a month! I
won't stand any more nonsensew
The door was unbolted, and the red
skins 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.-Iouth's Companion.