Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-29


Joining Of two rivers outlined q level tract Of
land the shape of a horseshoe, and at each
point Of the shoeiike figure was an immense
cottonwood tree. Under one sat Intah, 1.-The
cross-eyed man," who was guarding the spoils
of Nickauree big neck") and the blankets
friends had bet on his son, who rode for him.
Under the opposite tree we're Navajo blankets
and buckskins that were bet on Mascot Jim,
the hume hback
arrived, and VIC could but dimly see through
the cloud OF dust the six Indians who were rid
ing, but we knew Mascot Jim would come out
ahead The Indians themselves, though bet
ting often on Nicks boy, would always. when
Mascot Jim won, shake their heads and point
a: his deformity. bad spirit in there win
'They have reached the half-mie pole, The
turn Is made! Nicks boy is ahead, but bet
Paddy on JIM" said the doctor and be was
sure Mascot Jim would win or he never would
have bet his sayoEite driving horse. One Of
Nickauree's men put up horse against Paddy
so the bet WAS ''legalized."
Here they come" The tree Ia almost
reached and Jim behind. Suddenly he leans
forward till the horses back il almost free from
its load, and loosens the aide strap of the
bride. 1t may be only trick to attract the
others attention, or perhaps the looseued bit
encourages the horse 10 go faster-nevertheles
the trick answers and the horse Of Mascot Jim
bounds forward, a neck ahead Of Nick's boys
horse.
The Indians come around to examine tho
quivering sides of the horses to see if spurs
had been used, as the jockeys were obliged to
ride perfectly nude, using only their bare heels
TO urge on their beasts. The horses backs we're
free of saddles or blankets.
Suddenly old Coohoo (''sharp eye") called
out "Coch-i, coch-i, !" mo good The indian,
look at the tiny cut place on the horses neck,
and, with suspicious shakes of bead, call Mas
cot Jim. he explains rapidly, HE cut liza on
wire fence" So they could say nothing but
sharp arrow point Of flint tied on Mascot's arm
under the bracelet he always wore was covered
with fresh blood.
CURIOUS wooISG.
Mascot Jim came up to the doctor, "You win
horse, Cheereenona (medcine mani, on my
racer" ''Yes," said the doctor, land bet him
on you again." "Toy-yock (ail right, me win
race. See my blankets" He pointed to a pile
Of at least twenty in number. Near it was an
other heap composed Of valuable buckskins
Beside them lay a pair of moecasins some poor
fellow had lost. pretty bracelet of solid Navajo
silver and a necklace of antelope teeth.
While talking he had been watching group
OF squaws and bucks, and after calling our at
tention to his winning he chose the handsomest
blanket and the silver bracelet and walked to-
ward the group.
They saw him coming and called out mock
ingly. "Keenotu-Keenotu''- hunchback-
tno uuHCuDach. ne QeSlateu-tne Dl0OQ
showing black under the brown skin
then went on toward "Benoise" (dear one), the
motherless child of old Wyaskot, and at her
feet threw down blanket and bracelet She
would have refused. but her father answered
for her with "Ioy-yock-ave bono All right,
now 1t il WE'LL
The boys hooted the girls scream "Keenotu
catchum Benoise. Benoise Keenotu's squaw."
but Masco. Jim face wore q happy, satisfied
smile. and as he was mounted he turned to-
ward Benoise with the first laugh that his mouth
had ever emitted. In this race horses were bet
against horses. Jims was a hardy, strong
broncho, while Nicks boy rode a long neck,
sliul-limbed racer brought from the white
mans home" feet, but short winded. Only
the two horses started. Hardly word was
spoken, except the calls from the watchers
perched high in the cottonwood trees. The
turn is made! They are coming in, neck and
neck! No, the bay gains, No use tor Mascot
jim to use his arrow point; but suddenly, Just
as the bay Is almost even with the tree, Jim
falls. Only q trick. but the race must be run
again: The bay is winded already-a mile was
long for him-and he never will stand the two
miles. Jim's horse seems as fresh as when the
start was made.
OF course Jim wins. Drunken, lazy little
hunchback, all he ID good for is to race and
gamble, and he always wins at both, as he does
not hesitate to 'stoop to conquer"
sPoILs TO THE FAIR.
Nick's boy sends his pretty pet over to Mas
cot Jim, and his groom" rubs the sleek limbs
and the glossy back till every hair is in place.
Mascot Jim mounts him and rides again TO the
group where sits Benoise, gloomy and sad q
great dread hanging over her
The hunchback dismounts and hands the
bride rein to Benoise. All we're waiting for the
answer, and again Wyaskot made it by step
ping forward and placing the rein in her hand.
This was the betrothal. That night Mascot
Itrx,r n1a had IA xha 81. x1ok
ried Benoise. and his home was henceforth in
the wick-i-up Of Wyasket.
Do you question wyasket's motive In marry
ing Benoise to Keenotu. the hunchback? Listen.
MOTHERS LOVE.
Thirty years before a child had been born to
the young wife Of an old chieftain. The great
love Of the parents for their offspring il one of
the few admirable qualities Of the race, and as
this was the first child 1t received an extra
amount of love, but yet it seemed different
from other babes. When il was ten days OLD
the mother one day noticed that on its back
tiny bunch was growing and she realized that it
was deformed. She resolved to hide the fact
till il was three months old, for if discovered
before that time by the Spartin-like medicine
man it would be killed. Never before another
Indian-not even her husband chief-did she
take the babe from its board Of pinion wood.
The Indians firmly believe that the child has
real life till ii is three months old, and too,
they argue wisely that the only way to keep up
the strength Of the race is to destroy all de-
formed children. After the three months was
safely passed the mother told her husband. He
called together the medicine men and other
chieftains. 1t was decided the child should
live and its name Of Yasola, 1.-THE first born"
was changed to Keenotu, "the hunchback."
The mother knew that never would maiden
love her son, and if he ever married it must be
because some gIrl desired to share his wealth OF
"ponies" and spotted buffalos, SO the mother
planned to make him wealthy. BY day she
cared for her husband and poor keenotu-
for no other child ever came-and
when her labor was finished there was always
pair Of moccasins or gloves 70 be traded for
some "Amerioat." This brought her in many
dollars. All we're saved for Keenotu. When
the oats and grass were sold each year to the
government that money was saved. 30 when
Keenotu reached manhood he was considered
the wealthiest buck in the whole tribe. The
Indians believed il was the bad spirit hidden
in his hump" that brought him his wealth, for
saving or laying up money is not habit with
them. The mother OF Mascot Jim was right
no girl would ever love her son--but Wyaskot
loved and coveted his wealth, SO willingly sold
his pretty daughter, Benoise.
GONE WITH RANDsoNER MAN.
For several months after the marriage
Mascot Jim was not aeeu at the races and never