Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1891-11-19
FRICK WHARTON'S PERIL.

Frick Wharton was an old campaigner
on the frontier, who had served his coun-
try from the time of the Custer massacre
until the spring of 1890. His intimate
knowledge of the Northwestern country,
and of the Indians and their languages,
his perfect horsemanship, his coolness,
pluck and readiness of resource made
him a most valuable man as either scout
or interpreter.
He was fond of the life, and bade
fair to spend all his active years in the
governments service, but he encountered
at last one person who did what no Sioux,
Cheyenne or Ogallala was ever able to
do-make him a captive.
= That person was certain blue-eyed
young woman from the far away New
England hills, who had come West to
teach an agency school, and who said
"fes to the most important question
tbs brave scout ever uttered AS con-
sequence he withdrew from the service,
aud with his savings, which had reached
respectable snm, bought a ranch in
South Dakota, and settled down into the
quiet life of raiser of cattle and tiller
Of the soil.
Wharton lived happily enough until
the recent trouble with the Sioux nation
began. He was quick to foresee the
serious nature of the danger He knew
the superstitious nature of the Sioux, and
their liability to intense and reckless ex-
citement under religious delusion. The
craze over the expected Messiah, the
ghost dances, and the frenzied appeals
of the medicine men were sure to inhame
the young warriors.
II war was prevented, it would have
to be done by men who knew the Indians
well, and were not afraid of them.
As the signs of trouble deepened, Frick
grew more and more reckless. He longed
to leap once more into the saddle, and
ride to the scene of the trouble. 1t was
to be battle of wits as well as of arms,
for no people surpass the Sioux in sub
tilty and cunning.
He was sure his services would be
welcome, for no one knew these people
better than he.
One day he broached the matter ab
ruptly to his wife.
Jeunie," he said, "I've made up nv
mind to see the government through in
this thing"
"Iknew it was coming" she said
"and have wondered why you didn't
speak of it before"
GLOW did you know it was coming?"
he asked. Il haven't said word.'
His wife laughed. why" she said,
you've been absent-minded, you've had
little appetite, you've walked aimlessly
about, you haven't slept well, and you We
acted as if there was some heavy trouble
on your mind. 1t was as plain as could
be what was the matter"
,"Well, " he asked, "what did you think
about it?"
81 thought that if you didn't mention it
pretty soon, | should ask you what in
the world you meant by not offering your
services when your country needed
them!"
Frick did not say much, but kissed his
wife atfectionately y, and was prouder than
ever of her. He had made no mistake
IN estimating the sort of stuff she was
made of.
Within few hours Wharton and his
wlfe rode away toward Pierre, where
Jennie was LETT with friends, and Frick
set out alone for the Pine Ridge Agency.
He intended to offer his services at once
to General Miles.
1t was long ride, but he knew every
mile of the way. 1t was also danger.
Gus ride, for although no open outbre ak
had as yet taken place, Frick had picked
up enough information on the road to en-.
able him to decide that the confagration
was at hand
On the afternoon of the second day.
when the sun was shining in clear sky
and the air was crisp and keen, an In
dian horseman rode over q swell of the
prairie, and by his course showed his wish
to make closer acquaintance with the
scout.
Frick was not in the habit of running
away from solitary Indians, SO he drew
the rein OF his pony, and with the ami
mai at a moderate walk, awaited the
coming OF the warrior who was in native
costume.
Frick kept sharp eye on him, and
held his Winchester ready, but he de-
tected no hostile movement. Presently
he was surprised and pleased to recog-
nize the Indian as an Ogallala whom he
knew very well, and who. through some
queer whim, had received the unexplain-
able name of Brother-of- his Father-and.
Mother.
Who was responsible for this amazing
title it is impossible to say, but since It
was too long to be used except on state
occasions, Frick had shortened it to
"Briff " when he had occasion to call
the Indian by name.
Briff had been a friendly Indian for
years. He had been Frfck's companion
on several of his dangerous scouts. The
two had eamped together in the dismal
gorges and canons of the Black Hills
and Big Horn Mountains They had
faced the awful blizzard in the land of
tho Assinaboine, and starved, suffered
and hunted together until it would seem
that the ties of friendship could not have
been welded more strongly.
But this was an extraordinary occasion
Wharton knew that many friendly In.
dians had come under the influence of
the prevailing superstition and had joined
the ghost-dancers. He shook hands cor
daily with Brif, but kept watchful
eye upon him.
Briff declared that he was as "good" an