The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1897-09-24

tion against the pale. faced intruders
| 1t was to the old historical mansion
of the Leonard family that l onct
went when a child; | distinctly re
member its odd gables. and the vant
upon one Of its peaks with the date
100 inscribed upon il. The principal
part OF the house was, however, erect
cd thirty years previous. l was great
~ attracted by the huge oaken raft
crs, the small window pancs, the deer
window seats, and the enormous fire
place. Greatly to my delight, l was
given permission to explore the ram
bling old building from cellar to gar
ret. There were a couple Of lovely
maiden ladies ut that time living in Il
part. Uf the old house, and, when
weary OF wandering through the
musty garrct chambers, haunted as il
seemed to my childish fancy, by the
ghosts OF all the dead LcOnardS, and
the wraiths OF MANY tawny Indian
boys, returned to the wide 'fort
rmnI," and seated myself primly be.
side the dear old ladies.
Isat watching the tall old fashioned
clock in the corner, with the picture
tof II ship above its face, which con
stantly rocked to and fro with every
tick, tick Of the clock, and wondering
II that was like the vessel that Tom
sailed in when he came to this cOun.
try. One Of the ladies, perceiving
that l was almost on the point Of fall
ing asleep, said suddenly: Little girl,
would you like to hear story"
"Oh, yes" l replied, Il should be de-
lighted"
So she began. '"Now, child" said
she, "you have heard that Indians
used to live all around here, and that
they were kind and peaceable. Many
time they have slept on our kitchen
floor, Indian men. as my grandmother
used to tell me. close up to the fire in
winter; and, somtimes they would
cook their vchlsnn over our fire.
Among these In1ians, who sometimes
wandered into this old house, was a
woman who was possessed by nature
OF many wonderful gifts. The white
people called her Betty-Squaw Betty.
In order to distinguish her from a
white woman by the same name who
lived in that locality. SQuaw Betty
was Il medicine woman and was held
in high esteem by all white people as
well as those OF her own race. She
had the most marvellous knowledge OF
roots, herbs, barks and gums, and
could tell all their healing properties
and virtues. She was SO successful in
healing the sick that she was sent for
far and near, wherever disease and i'll
health appeared. At the home Of one
OF the white settlers that lived over
by Fowling Pond, two little palc-faced
children, Il boy and girl, were lying
very sick, indeed, one day in the fall
OF the year. Squaw Betty was sent
for. She came with her basket OF
herbs and looked at the children, but,
as she did so, she gravely shook her
head. They were SO sick that the tall
old Indian woman concluded that il
was necessary for her to stay in the
house near them, II their lives were to
be spared. She would give no cncOur-
agement to the nearly distracted pa
rents, but sat by the little sufferers,
watching every symptom.
"On the eleventh day, Squaw Betty
went to the mother OF the children
and said: they will live-go to'your
washing She did not leave the house,
however, until the red roses Of health
again appeared In the cheeks OF the
children. The grateful mother said,
when Squaw Betty was about ready to
return to her home: what shall l pay
you for this great service to me and
mine?'
"Said Squaw Betty, 4 do not want
your gold or silvcr-l want that cloak,
pointing to beautiful garment hang.
lng In the hallway Of the house.
This was a long scarlet cloak, Of circu.
lar shape, very full and bOrdered with
black fur. The material was Of the
finest broadcl0th-the product OF the
looms OF England, and the rich, warm,
rcd color was as enduring rs the cloth
itself. Good wife Poynton, for that
was the name OF the mother OF the
sick children, did not hesitate mo.
ment, but removing the cloak from Its
peg threw it over the shoulders OF
Squaw Betty, and in It's ample folds
she was completely enveloped. Squaw
BETTY had all the inherent love OF
flnery and gay coloring peculiar to her
people, and no Broadway belle ever
experienced so much genuine satisfac-
tion when arrayed In the most clab-
crate Paris toilet as that dark-skinned
Indian woman did when arrayed in
her scarlet cloak. She wore 1t In all
seasons and upon all occasions, and
uftcn was she seen in the hottest OF
summer weather, or on the coolest
day OF winter, arraycd IN her scarlet
cloak, am fitting from house to house
like u ininistering angel, with her
herbs and barks, bent on some crrand
OF mercy and dcvotion.p
At this point In tuepasrative, the
dear old lady interr,lptci herself.
Little girl" said she, ~'did you ever