Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-04-07
Will Weston Plan
Concluded from last sceek.)
BY LAURA G. GIBBONS.

j
He had been gone about a week
when there came into the Chippewa
headquarters one day, a strange-look-
ing old man, with large pack on
his back. His long, white hair and
beard indicated great age. His
clothes were shabby and ill.ftting,
and bespoke poverty.
The Indians had often seen ped
dlars, and supposing this to be
one crowded around eager
to examine his wares. He deposited
his pack on the ground, carefully I'm
did its fastenings and took out, not
the jewelry and notions they had ex-
pected to see, but folding tripod.
This he set up and placed thereon a
photograph camera.
He took from his pocket number
of finished photographs, and by
means of half-breed, who could
talk English when he considered it
wisest he made them understand
that he could imprint their features
on card also.
Some were slow to believe, others
had seen something similar in the
towns, and soon they became fascin-
ated with the old man and his cam
era. There arose no little strife in
their eagerness to sit for negatives.
The old artist also had a sketch
ing outfit. With a few strokes of
his praeticed pencil, he represented
their tepees, their landscapes and
other surroundings on paper. This
astonished and delighted them.
Towards evening he went away,
explaining through the interpreter
that he must go to some quiet place
to finish the work, and that if they
did not seek to find him he would
come again and give them their pic
lures
Indians are ever ready to do honor
to superiority, and when the artist
came back with the sketches beauti-
fully colored and the pictures mount
ed and artistcally finished, they re-
ceived him with feryent demopstra-
tions.
He paid them regular visits for
time, always coming and going diff
terent ways. They patronized him
literally some had money, others
would barter anything for pictures.
He made many friends among
them, and between him and the in
terpreter, who was called Big Thun-
der, there sprang up warm friend
ship. The latter had plenty of mon
ey, and spent it freely for pictures
and drawings.
To some it might have appeared
that the old man coulted his favor
on that account. Be that as il may
he did photograph and sketch him
in every conceivable attitude, always
flattering him.
In this way he so far established
himself in the half breeds confidence
as to receive an invitation one day
never accorded to any but intimate
associates.
Big Thunder was we'll known in
the settlements, not for well-doing,
but for treachery and all-around
meanness. His father, French Ca
madam, brother to Joe Lambeau, had
died some time previous, and an
aged, infrm squaw. lived apart from
the tribe in a secluded government
house. To get her picture Big
Thunder invited the artist to the
house.
1t was dirty, dingy place, only
two rooms, and a few rude articles
OF furniture. There we're two per-
sons in the room when the artist en-
tered, the aged squaw and a child.
Both were guadily painted, and pro-
fusely ornamented, evidently ready
for the camera.
They watched eagerly while the
old man opened his carrying-case.
He set up the tripod and was plac-
ing the camera in position, when the
child sprang to its feet, exclaiming
in good English
"0h. l know what that's for My
| BROTH
A blow from Big Thunder threw
the child to the floor He struck it
in the face, and blood spurted from
its nose.
just then voice from the next
room, that any one who knew Joe
Lambeau would have recognized,
called Big Thunder away.
The child cried violently, and re-
fused to be pacified. The old artist
appeared to be very much excited
scarcely able to control himself.
/" Be quiet and tell me your name,
and I'll take your picture he said,
| In q low voice to the child. The