The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-05-18

Psyche-lnot behind Their good-hu-
mored faces always suggest sup
pressed nirth, and when they are MT
nome the forest encampments ring
with their laughter. They dress in u
long-slcevcd, high-ncclSed, but cx-
trcnicly short. WASTED calico JACKET,
and Il full skirt so long that it conccals
their bare feet. For some unknown rca-
son the loose jacket and ample skirt are
never allowed to meet and thus few
inches of naked waist is always cx-
posed. About their necks they wear
heavy collars of blue, green and white
glass beads and across their breasts are
strung many silver ornaments, ham,
mcrcd from coins, and indicating the
wealth of their husbands These
women are very Industrious, rarely
spend an idle moment. and are conse-
qucntly happy. They arc good cooks.
skilled in the use of the needle. Some
OF them have even attained to the lux
urv of sewing machines, of which they
are immensely proud and the mys-
tcrics of which they quickly
comprehend. They keep them
in order by the use of alligator oil,
which is uncNccllcd as Il lubricant for
fine machinery.
The Florida Seminole lives we'll. and
Is never ubject to those periods of semi
starvation that are of such frequent oc-
currcnce among his northern brethren
For meats he has vcnison, bear. coon,
possum pork, terrapin, turtle. goph-
ems. and sometimes beef. Ills Harder j.;
we'll supplied with chickens, wild tur-
key. quail, ducks and many other fowl
In their season he procureS Quantities
OF turtle eggs from the sea beaches. and
an incHhaustiblc supply OF fish is to be
had for the spcarng. He raises sweet
potatoes, sqnashcs, melons. beans.
corn and sugar cane, and has
scattered groves of guaras, oranges
lemons, cocoanuts, paw-pawS and
various other fruits. He exchanges
plnmcs, alligator hides, deer skins, and
starch for flour, coffee, sugar, tobacco
and many another luxury of civilian
ton; but limits his intercourse with the
whites to the necessities of trade, avoid
ing them as much as possible on all
other occasions. His women are for
hidden to So much us speak to white
man, and th u" chastity, SO far rs h. is
concerned. is secured by death pcn-
atty rigidly enforced.
On the whole the Florida Scminolcis ms
independent of the whites as human
being can we'll be of his nciwhbors, and
asks no favor of them, save to be let
alone in the enjoyment of such priv
legcs MS are accorded by the creator TO
all men. He meets them in trade like IA
man, expecting to be paid for what they
take from him. and paying without
murnur, the cXhorbitant prices
charged for everything he receives He
Is moro scli-icspecting, decent and law
abiding, tiian half the voters of the
state III which he lives and is ut the
same time, wholly through his own
eNcrtions, better fed than they, and
better provided with worldly goods.
Yet so thoroughly docs might make
right i'll this case, that any worthless,
low-down, white man, whose life is an
outrage and Il disgrace to civilization.
may legally drive the Seminole from
his home and establish himself in it,
take possession OF Indian fields. and
harvest crops pln ntad hy Indian hands
This done he curses the redsllin for not
having buildcd better house. or cult
waited more acres. certain that his sorry
wit will be appreciated by those who
under protection of the white mans
laws, are engaged in similar scheme
of plumber with himself.
KIRK MUNEoE.