The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-08-26
"HE NO SQUAW."
Au Indian Trader ConvInces Hostile Red
skins of His Courage.

At the beginning of this century the
fur trade was lucrative business, says
the Youths Companion, but the traders
led life of privation, and often of
danger and hardship. Many of them
were rude of manner, with q reckless
courage which served to keep the In
dians respectful. But occasionally a
gentleman chose the position, either
with the hope of bettering his fortune,
or with Quixotic notion of benefiting
the Indians. With some such idea as
this last mentioned, John De Vine
moved his family to an isolated station
in northern Minnesota in 1851, and
opened store to trade with the In
dians.
MIR. De Vine was small of stature
and quiet in his ways, and treated his
red customers with honesty and fair
ness. The previous trader had been a
man of different stamp, and the In
dians naturally failed at first to un-
derstand the newcomer.
MIR. De Vine had been at the station
but few months when the Indians
began to be very impudent and dis
agreeable, and to demand more than
their due. Thus does man often suf-
fer from the mistakes of others.
The Indians were well aware that
the old trader had cheated them when
ever 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 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.
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
redskin coolly went up and took see.
ond plug of tobacco.
Mr.. De Vine lost his temper at this,
and seizing knife which lay near, he
brought it down forcibly upon the In
dian's 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 regretted his rash act. The brave
was a chiefs 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
stood before the stove, 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 your spoke out the
foremost Indian.
Quick as thought the trader seized 8
burning brand and leaped to the side
of barrel of gunpowder.
"Come one step nearer" he said
resolutely, land drop this brand in
to the powder and we'll all blow up to.
gether! I'm not afraid" and he held
the brand almost over the open pow.
der barrel.
mo blow up powderr' the Indian
leader exclaimed; mo blow up pow.
der!" and then, turning to his follow.
ers, he said: He no squaw; he brave
manr
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. 1t
was evident that the trader was in
earnest.
Now. leave the store" commanded
Mr.. De Vine, ''and don't one of
dare to show your face hero for
month. won't stand any more non.
sense"
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 thai
year. Mr.. De Vine had proved his
courage.