Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-08-22
drew his hand across his eyes.


The stage was due at Muskogee nc
2 o'clock the next morning, but the
gentlemen from the East and the
Texans decided to take the construct
ion train at the next stopping place.
and reach Muskogee before nightfall,
Captain aud Mrs. Brown however. pre-
ferrcd TO continue the journey IN tho
stage. and soon they were left alone
with the Indian.
When Captain Brown made inquiries
,f the driver regarding the accomoda-
ions he could get at Muskogee the In
iian said:
If you will trust me. sir, can ia Ike
yon to a nice place where you will be
we'll cared for"
.'All right" replied the Captain.
''You tell the driver where TO go"
The Indian took seat with the
driver. riding for some time, and when
another stop was made lie resumed his
place inside the coach. He talked to
them of his youth, told them many in
teresting legends OF his tribe (he was
a Cherokee). and finally asked Mrs.
Brown to sing for him.
Not wishing to appear ungrateful,
and afraid too, of offending hinl--sho
thought again of his powerful wrists
aud so she sang OF the Indian maiden
who once roamed the banks of river.
or guided her canoe over its swift
waters.
The moon shone brightly; the stage
rumbed on. When the song was end
ed the Indian said, II thank you. |
love to hear singing"
AT 2 o'clock the stage entered Mus
kogee and stopped at a rude shanty.
The Indian got out, thanked Mrs.
Brown again for singing. and. saying
good night" disappeared.
is this where we stop?" asked the
Captain.
mo, sir; further on" was the reply.
In front of long low building the
stage soon halted. The driver took
the trunks from the boot" said good
night, and drove off leaving the travel
ers in the moonlight.
The house was constructed of boards
with canvas roof. The Captain knock
ed on the door. No response. He
then tried the knob, which turned
easily. and the door swung open. dis
closing one long room. Ia the fur
ther end was table, on which a
Gickeriug candle sputtered and blink
ed in the draught caused by the open
door. On either side of the room were
arranged two tiers of berths. and
seemingly from every berth came sim
ultaneously head with shaggy hair
and unkempt beard. to gaze at the
newcomers. Mrs. Brown grasped her
husbands arm us she saw them, and
her first thought was of the Indian.
He had brought them there to be muir
dcred!
Soon man appeared at the further
end of the building whom they rightly
supposed to be the proprietor OF tho
establishment. AS he approached tho
Captain asked him II lie could give
them lodgings for the night.
Yes. he replied, II have vacant
berth here, believe" pointing to q
place about midway the room.
mo, sir," replied the Captain; awe
will 90 elsewhere unless you can dc
better for US than that" And he turn
ed toward the door.
Just wait. sir. will give you my
room," and he disappeared, taking tho
candle.
The travellers stepped out into thc
moonlight again. and, seated on tn,
trunks, waited. Mrs. Brown was cry
ing nervously by this time, while hel
husband confessed to feeling rather
| spotted"
The man soon appeared again, and
| led the way through the long room 4
sort of box arrangement, divided
from the main room by the sides only
with barely room for the bed aud on
chair. and opening into the kitche
part of the building.
Tired and worn as they were, In
travellers soon slept in spite of thei
fears; but Mrs. Brown dreamed @
men with grizzled boards climbing
over the rude partitions, and woke il
the morning rather surprised TO fin
she had not been strangled during th
night.
CHEEKY voices were heard in th
kitchen in the early morning, and th'
savory odors of breakfast greeted tn
nostrils of the travellers. who were sooI
dressed. Mrs. Brown was not long il
making the acquaintance Of the femal
members OF the family and Learned
that they had lost all their possession
in the great Chicago fire. and haC
come to this far-away place to begil
life over again.