The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-07-18
WAS NO souAW.
How Trader Got MD Of some Trouble
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How Trader Got RId Of some Troubis-
some indians.
At the beginning of .his 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
reckless courage which served to keep
the Indians respectful. But occasion
ally gentleman chose the position,
either with the hope of bettering his
fortune. or with IA Quixotic notion Of
benefting 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 store to trade with the 1ndi-
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
IA 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 a man often suffer from the
mistakes of others.
The Indians were well aware that the
cid trader had cheated them whenever
he could, and they supposed that Mr..
De Vine would do the same if he dared.
They deemed him 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.
20, yes, me pay. me pay! he said,
insolently
One day he went to the counter and
took plug of tobacco. Mr.. De Vine
ordered him to pay for it and leave the
store. Instead of obeying, the young
redslin coolly went up and took a sec
ond plug of tobacco.
| Mr.. De Vine lost his temper at this,
and sezing a 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 a blow, and re-
GREETED his 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, a 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.
I'VE come kill you" spoke cut the
| foremost Indian.
| Quick as thought the trader seized a
burning brand, and leaped to the side of
a barrel of guH-powder,
Come one step nearer" he said, reso-
lutely, and drop the brand into the
powder. and we'll all blow up together.
I'm not afraid" and he held the brand
almost ovet the open powder barrel.
NO blow up powder" the Indian
leader eXclaimed; mo blow up pow
der and then. turning to his followers,
he said, He no squaw: he brave man.
put down your guns" commanded
| Mr.. De Vine.
The Indians hesitated moment, and
the trader advanced the burning branl
an inch nearer the powder. At that
every Indian laid down his gun. Itwas
evident that the trader was in earnest.
Now, leave the store" commanded
Mr.. De Vine, land don't one of you dare
L. 1. =. r
won't stand any more nonsense!"
The door was unbolted, and tie 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.-Youth's Companion.