The morning call., 1891-12-27
INDIAN COSTUMES.
The Shabby but PICTURESQUE Attire in Which
10 Clothes Himself.

passed an interested hour in one Of the
traders stores which was filed with
loungers. and buyers. The long, low room
was crowded mostly with men, but few
women shared the bench upon which | sat-
and some others passed about negotiating
purchases as best they could with the aid of
interpreters and signs. Here | had oppor-
tunity for studying the costume of the men,
which Is certainly more attractive thau that
of the women. The blanket is worn by
them in an entirely different manner. In
most cases it envelOps the entire form,
wrapped about the head and descending in
graceful folds to the ground. Among
the younger men the counting blanket
was most frequently seen. The wearing of
this garment. as the name indicates, signi-
fes the existence of an ardent flame within
the breast beneath. 1t is a handsome affair
OF dark-blue wool, deliberately ornamented
with beads and ribbons in devices which
are strikingy effective. Sometimes small
round mirrors are introduced into the de-
sign. Beneath this blanket appear broad
leggins and moccasns brilliant with en-
broderv, while trailing behind in fiat
square is Il sash similarly adorned | was
unable to get glimpse OF the upper gar
ment. as the blanket was never lowered be-
meath the chin. Seldom indeed was any
paw VI bl6 ldCt NISiblt, save Illt UldCk eyes
peering above the edge of the blanket, held
carefully over the mouth. Sometimes the
features were more fully concealed by the
shadow of SLOUGH hat ornamented with
feathers and bands of porcupine work. But
now and then a countenance appeared re-
splendent as the pallet of a disciple of real
lstlc srt. The natural mineral paints which
are said to abound upon the reservation
would certainly find home market if man
ufactured here.
. ,n t,tI
clothed in sheets in lieu Of blankets. Dit
ferent reasons are given for this Dress that
their hearts are bad," either from grief or
anger. etc, but the simple explanation is
probably that they possess none other. The
sensation produced by these ghostly figures
with cleaning eyes and SILENT stalking
tread is'nervous, to say the least Visions
OF daggers and conspiracy behind those
toga-llke draperies seem to arise naturally
Many of those present wore the white
mans garb or notifications of it, but few
were without the blanket in one form or an
other. Indeed, such q covering is essential
for comfort In Dakota's frigid climate and
is more simple as well as more picturesque
than any hooded ulster which has been
devised.
The dress of the Sioux women is not de-
signed to- show beauty of form should they
possess it. The heavy blanket worn over
the lead and fastened blouse-fashion about
the hips produces SQUAT appearance,
"AICu 10 usually iuCGtdS6u ny tue Uuik OF
child upon the mothers back Sometimes
two children are carried thus. We noticed
among the crowd numbers of the Navajo
blankets, remarkable for their striking
patterns In blue, black, white, yellow
and red. These, mingled with those of red
and blue which are issued by the Govern
ment, belted with the snowy squaw-
belts, produce a gorgeous effect which
the snowy background intensified. The
squaw-belts, while sometimes of beads.
are usually made of leather thickly studded
with brass nail-heads, or Of continuous
plates of German silver obtained from the
traders and beaten into the desired shaaes.
They sometimes hang from the side. trailing
upon the ground. A sheath of similar man
ufacture suspended from it holds the MUIR
derous-looklng knife which they use in pre-
pairing meat That these are sometimes put
to more cruel service is as we'll known a. is
the ferocity of these stolid appearing women
when it is aroused. 1t is they who m utilate
the dead upon the battle-felds, making
ghonlish orgies of the work. illustrating a
lessen all history has taught-repression re-
acting with terrific force when its oppor-
tnnlty occurs.-Pine Ridge Letter to Chicago
Tribune.