Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-05-29
GRANDMA'S INDIAN.
How Two Little Girls Were Badly Scared
by Terrible War Whoop.

How Two Little Girls Were Badly Scared
by Terrible War Whoop.
"You see, my dears, when was
child said mother not mamma, as
you do. That sounds old-fashioned to
you, but to me it sounds very sweet
My mother was the dear grandmamma
whom you can hardly remember; she
would be eighty-three years old to-
day."
Mrs Ashley gave little sigh. Alice
and Charlie kept quite still out of SYM
pathy, though they were eager to have
her go on.
81 don't think either of you ever saw
an Indian, but you have heard about
the Indian troubles during the past
months. suppose they have recalled
things mother used to tell me about her
own childhood.
Indians were plenty here then.
When she was little girl like you,
Alice, she went to what they called a
district school, 1t seems odd enough
now, but there was no janitress to take
care of the school-room, and the sweep
ing was done by the schoolgirls. Every
afternoon two were appointed by the
teacher to stay after school and sweep.
They enjoyed it because they made a
frolic out of the work, and it was no
unusual thing for two of them to ask:
please, sir, may we stay tonight
and sweep the schoolroom|
son this day, the duty fell to my
mother and her best friend. Little girls
had best friends then, as they do
now"
Mrs. Ashley pinched Alice's ear a bit;
Alice laughed and they both thought
about Hattie Brown, who was Alices
"best friend"
"The girls were doing their task as
fast as their fun would let them, but ii
took some time to sweep around the
| legs of those old benches and desks.
Mother stepped into the entry to get
the dust-pan from behind the door,
when she looked out and saw an Indian
boy pass, with two brooms on his
shoulder. They often made brooms to
sell in those days. Mother was fear
less, and don't suppose she thought
he would hear her; at any rate she
called OUT
"Pretty little Indian! Got two
broomsr
"With that she went back to gather
up the dirt, and was holding the dust
pan for the other girl to brush it on,
when she heard right in her ear, the
most unearthly yell. 1t was no more
nor less than the regular Indian war.
whoop!
"There stood the Indian boy close by
her side, hooking look on his face,
his eyes dancing with fun to think he
had paid her off for her careless speech
an instant, then he ran off like deer
"Mother said they were both sc
frightened they hurried home as fast as
they could, and they didn't ask the
privilege again to stay and sweep the
school-house.
Maybe I'll be soldier and go fight
the Indians when I'm man." sale
Charlie, valiantly. what if I'd meet
| UIluU very ltllOW WIZ ing ohN'
ma! I'd settle himi" he added with 6
delightful disregard of chronology.
Mamma laughed, but she shudderet
too.
II trust the Indian troubles will bt
settled and the fighting over, before my
boy Is a man, though hope he will b
ready to do any service which his coun
try has a right to claim"
mother used to tell me great many
stories about when she was girl,
Mrs Ashley continued, land this one
never tired of, though dare say
heard it fifty times over. I could jus'
zee that Indian boy with his brocms
and could hear that awful yell, mothe
made it so vivid.
81 fancy was like most children;
: enjoyed a danger which wasn't dan
ger any more, and liked to thrill AM
tremble over 1t. 1t was delicious t.
: know that after all 1t was for me
: make believe Indian and make-believ
t veil. Little Men and Women.