The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-04-11
Stories of an Inland State.

| n,
of his white nature on this child. She was
half-breed. but perfectly white. whereas
Ter full brothers. Running Bull and Howl
| ing Wolf, were yellow-red as all the COM
mon half-breeds. If these were Jake Bef-
| fePs children, how did it come that one
was white, and non-Ind:an in her DISPOSE
| ton, while the other two were dark and
Indian IN every fibre? Simply because in
| the case of the white one. Nature had re-
| produced Beliefs white strain almost COM
rlete. while in the other two Nature had
| taken her usual course and given the ac-
( cent of lineage TO the savage mothers
blood. Hence, he argued, Misty Dawn,
was simply a freak-but marvellous one.
Indian service hardens a man. 1t had
hardened Louis Holding. He knew The
terrible cost ne would pay If he relaxed,
| for a moment, the iron discipline ne exercis-
ed over his charges. So pity had died out
| of his heart long ago He had no kind
word for the Indians. because his kindness
was mistaken for lenienoy, encouraged i'm
positions and necessitated ultimately in
creased harshness.
Black Eagle had taken his children from
school and Miss Ames had reported the
| fact.
The Indians were all kept in school by
discipline, threats and punishment. There
could be no favoritisn. He must act quick
ly and with firmness. He went to see Black
Eagle and told him TO put his children back
| in school Immediately or he would with
hold his annuity. He notified the traders
that they must not sell further to Black
Eagle on credit. Black Eagle was obstinate
and the children remained out of school.
Other Indians supplied the impoverished
Black Eagle for weeks and Holding, dis
covering this, threatened the Indians with
a suspension of their annuities.
This had been a week ago. Holding felt
tonight that Black Eagle and his family,
two wives and five children, were starving
and would come to time" Tomorrow
would be payment day and he expected
that Black Eagle would come up meekly
enough and place his children back in
school.
The next day came. Misty Dawn drew
the annuities for her mother and brothers.
The Agent stopped to talk to her mo-
ment.
care you still reading Tempest my
child" he asked.
YES" she answered pleased.
"You must come and see me, Misty
Dawn" he continued. Il have something
to tell you. Come this evening, here to the
house. Bring your mother"
The payment continued and was COM
pleted. But no Black Eagle.
The obstinate DEVIL growled the In
dian Agent.
In the evening came Misty Dawn and her
mother, Waving Hair. AS he took them
into his parlor the Agent could not help
noting with what grace the young woman
walked across the room and took her seat.
in striking contrast to the awkward shut
fle of her mother.
The mother sat uneasily in a leather
chair gazing without expression before her.
Misty Dawn was alert to the furnishings
of the glorious room which she had never
seen before.
The Agent led her to sofa and sat down
beside her.
Listen to me, Misty Dawn" he said. 'It
is all right for you to read The Tempest
But that was written long ago. 1t is very
fine. But the world has changed. White
men no longer talk as they talked then.
They do not use Thou and Thee and
marry Nice white people would laugh at
you should you use them now. And then
again you do not pronounce the words
right. Now what I want 20 say is this:
Come TO me often and let me talk to You
and when you mispronounce 1 will put you
right
He noticed then that the child was weep
ing,
why Misty Dawn" he exclaimed. why
are you crying?"
"Alack," she said sorrowfully.
For an instant he thought this afTecta-
ton. Then he smiled at the expression.
eogI tNa
cause of her sorrow. You have not mas
tered all. You must learn to pronounce.
1t Is a rough road, but you have Travelled
farther than Indian ever did before
She looked at him intensely. took his hand
and whispered:
''Why am I a savage?"
God only knows" exclaimed the Agent.
She glanced at her mother apprehens!ve-
", sorrowfully and whispered: Waving
Hair is passing good My mother she is.
1 do love her most fondly. But she Is Call
bans mother. The Indians be ali savage
save l. Misty Dawn. Am l not above
them? Prithee, answer. Who has sinned?
and is he not debtor to me? Yes. Beffel.
He who deserted. He was knave and IA
ther" Her eyes flashed
Jake Beffel." answered the Agent quiet
ly. lis dead"
Shall he so free then? Has he not others
who must answer? Shall they not answer
TO me?''
Vengeance" said the Agent 70 himself
Indian vengeance. One of the family as
good as the malractor himself. Yes. Misty
Dawn is Indian. There can be no doubt
of that
He did not answer her question. but said:
Come often, Misty Dawn. and I viii help |
in your education" So he showed them
TO the door and went to bed.
But he did not sleep. Why had not Black !
Eagle appeared that day? Was some one |
disobeying him and furnishing food to the /
family? He flushed angrily al the thought |
Or was the Indian, with Indian obstinacy, !
starving TO death rather than give in? \ |
mental picture Of the five, wan baby faces |
crying in a wigwam, perhaps two frett!ng !
at drying breasts, brought the Agent up in |
bed. Why was Black Eagle so obdurate? |
Why should he force him. Holding. 20 be a 1
monster? He lay down again hoping to |
sleep, but the cries of the fretful, starving /
children rang in his ears.
He arose and dressed himself and went /
out in the night He walked far 10 Black |
Eagles wigwam and crouched in the grass. |
\ brisk fire was burning and smoke was !
curling up through the center Of the house |
OF pelts.
Presently Holding saw figure gliding |
across the fields with a bullying blanket.
He watched. There were loud joyous /
voices within. The same figure glided ou. !
again. Holding ran TO the wigwam. The 4
Indians. all fat and jolly, were cooking I
meat. He sprang into their midst crying: 4
Black Eagle. Who was here?"
The Indian remained mute. Holding jump |