St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-09-11
CULVER AVENGED.

nearly all the Indians had left the VI
cinity Of our little trading post on the
Missouri to pass the summer back on
the prairie and along the foothills of
the mountains. We had shipped all our
furs and robes Oh the last down steamer,
and now there was absolutely nothing
for us to do but kill time as best we
could until another season s trade should
begin. Situated as we were some 800
miles from the nearest town, our post
was not very lively place in summer
and our only neighbor was saloon
man who had built place 80 yards
above us. But with him we had little
to do. He was a surly, unkempt fellow,
and there were generally hanging about
his place a set of men who came and
went mysteriously, whom we more than
suspected were members of gang of
horse thieves and road agents that used
to ply their trade along the Yellowstone
and Missouri rivers
My partner had gone east with our
shipment Of furs to dispose of them and
order fresh stock Of goods, and | was
alone except for the company of good
father, broad and liberal minded
priest, whom | had persuaded to stay
with me until my partner should re-
turn. The bishop of the Saskatchewan
had sent him south the preceding year
to minister to part of his flock, the
plains Crees, who were in our vicinity.
One drowsy afternoon in June the
father and sat out in the shade of the
overhanging roof smoking and tanning
ourselves, for it was hot day. In the
saloon just above us poker game was
going on, revealed to outsiders by the
subdued hum Of voices and the ceaseless
rattle of chips AS said, most of the
Indians had gone out ON the summers
hunt but two or three families were
still with us, and presentlya young man
named Culver came along with his wife
and sat down by the father in the CRATE
full shade. During many years passed
with the Indians on the plains, think
this was the handsomest couple / ever
saw. The woman, much lighter colored
than manya Spanish woman, had sim
gularly graceful figure, and her features
were well nigh faultless. Her eyes were
exceptionally large and brilliant, full of
expression, and were shaded by long,
sweeping lashes. Her hair, neatly braid
ed, hung in two massive strands almost
to the ground. Culver would have served
an artist for model of Apollo What
l liked best about him was the broad,
high brow and square cut chin, which
even in a savage denotes keen intelli-
gence united with force of character
This couple, Culver and his wife,
Pai-o-tah, had been married little
more than year. They were as yet as
deeply in love with each other as ever.
On the hunt or in the camp, working or
resting, they We're inseparable. Culver
thought there was nothing good enough
for his beautiful wife. All the robes he
secured, all the beaver and otter he
caught, were traded for fine blankets,
soft and bright colored dresses, and for
jewelry with which to adorn Pai-o-tah.
Re wanted nothing for himself except
little tobacco and few cartridges for
his rifle. The couple sat with us half an
hour or more talking with the father
about affairs in their own far northern
home.
Riel, he who later created the Cana
dian rebellion, had lately been among
the Indians urging them to return home
and wrest their ancestral lands from the
relocated usurpers, and Culver was
anxious to get the fathers opinion of
the matter. The good man plainly told
him that it was visionary scheme and
could not possibly succeed He explained
that the Indians not only would have to
fight the Canadians, but that if neces-
sary ships would bring thousands of sol
diers from across the salt water, ten
white men for every Indian and half
breed i'll the northwest. All this talk of
war had little interest for Pai-o- tab,
and finally she slipped her hand in
Quiver's and coaxed him to go home.
Happy, innocent children, " said the
father, as we watched them go up the
trail hand i'll hand. "Not a care or
sorrow to mar their daily lives!"
AS they were passing the saloon big
ruffian stepped out of the doorway,
aimed his revolver at them and, calling
out to some one within, "Bill, see me
drop that ID Injun," fired With
a cry of pain poor Culver fell to the
ground, Pai-o-tah dropped her robe and
knelt over him. and with coarse laugh
the man who fired the shot turned and
went back into the saloon.
The father and FASTENED over to the
PROSTATE Indian. He was still conscious,
but his face had assumed a yellowish
hue, and he said family; II am shot in
the back. Have pity and carry me to my
lodge" By this time one Or two Indians
had come over from the camp near by,
and together we gently lifted the
wounded man, and, carrying him home
carefully, laid him on his couch. Sure
enough, the bullet had entered his back
on the left side and torn its way through
the kidneys. There was no hope for him.
Leaving the father to attend the poor
fellow and give him and the heart
broken Pai-o-tah such consolation as
was in his power, went back to the
post and wrote note to the command
ing officer Of troop of United States
cavalry camped some six miles above u.s.
telling him of the cold bloodod murder
which had been committed and asking
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