The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-09-20

is the only instance have ever heard
Of fun in the American Indian. This
old LO smiled broadly at the propo-
sition to sell his offspring and an
swered:
"Mebbe so, five cents"
A storm broke The squaw arose
to her feet and sailed into her husband
with a terrible use of the Indian Ian
guage. The old Indian insisted that
the boy should be knocked down to Mr..
Burson for "mebbe so, five cents" and
the wrath Of the mother grew apace.
Just when the bargain was about to be
consummated and Mr.. Burson held the
nickel in his fingers, ready for the
transfer, the old Indian chucked and
explained at great length the joke to
his enraged spouse.
Mr.. Burson told me this was the first
time he had ever witnessed anything
like humor in the Indian nature.
Mr.. Burson told me how the modern
complications Of trade are also worm
ing themselves into the Indians
faculty. One day he met an Indian
with a pony, and the following con-
versation took place:
"How much catch pony?" Mr.. Bur-
son asked.
'Mebbe so. thirty dollars" said the
Indian.
NO." drawled Burson, Indian fash
ion.
"Mebbe so, fifteen dollars" said the
Indian.
NO" said Burson, "mebbe so. four
teen"
This was agreeable to the Indian
and he was ready to close the sale.
However, Mr.. Burson was not. In
good old horse trade fashion he pro-
ceeded:
"Pony no good; pony bronch."
'No bronch," insisted the Indian.
PONY bronch; no good" said Mr..
Burson.
NO. replied the Indian; pony heap
gentle; boy ride; squaw ride; no
bronch; good pony; heap gentle
John" he said opening his pocket
book, mo money; only twO-bits.' And
he displayed a quarter.
The Indian studied a while and
asked:
"You come back here"
Mr.. Burson said he would.
"White man no lie?" asked the In
dian.
Mr.. Burson said fearlessly that white
men did not.
'Mebbe so, you give me two-bits and
come back and pay again and take
pony"
The Indian wanted Mr.. Burson to |
take an option on the pony, rather than
TO make an installment proceeding. |
with which Mr.. Burson could have had |
possession Of the pony. The Indian
may later arise to the installment plan.
put at present he has not arrived at the
understanding where the worth of a
written contract is appre-
lated for its full worth.
I heard about the Apache trouble.
The story may not be true. The peo-
lie do not like Geronimo and his crowd.
Geronimo has a coat, it is told, made
If white mems scalps and this report
loes not warm his character in the
BOSOM Of popularity. Some two years
lgo Geronimo's band, the only pris-
,ners of war now held by the United
states. were transferred from Alabama
o their present abode just south of
his place. The congress appropriated
$1,000 to start these Indians in agri
ulture. The present report is that
ONE Of the Apaches stole some corn
or their ponies, the corn having been
ct aside for their cattle. Two of the
Ipaches have been placed in the guard
louse and put upon the filling but I'M
INVITING diet of bread and water. This
las stirred the murderous gang and
hey are cutting up some. When they
re convinced Of the fact that they
re common prisoners Of war, and not
,ets of the government as their
,rothers the Kiowas and the Com
inches, they will go to work again and
top grumbling. This is practically
ertain, as the guard house is commod-
BUS and bread and water can be fur
ished by the government in great
Old Geronimo Is still ac-
i've. Last Fourth Of July the whole
and engaged in pony race, and with
ut any jockeying old Geronimo came
n far ahead 1 have heard some
there down here, that four days before
race, the Indian deprives his pony
( water TO get him in training.
o not see how it does 1t.
Recently at Altus l had talk with
Irs. Russell. who has lived near the
indians a long time. She attended an
.rkansas seminary which had among
s patrons many Indian girls. She
aid that a half-breed or quarter-In-
ian would adopt civilized ways after
ducaion, but full-blood never. Her
had extended to the In
ian women OF full-blooi They could
e induced 10 dress up with full COM
cement of corsets, waists and skirts.
nd would for a time counterfeit their
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