The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-05-19
All, promptly,

saddle Blachita.
Achonhoah was the adopted daugh.
ter of the Rev. John Melton, who for
fifteen years now had been missionary
to the Apache. Comanche and Kiowa
Indians. When a mite of baby
Achonhoah had been scooped up out
Of the sand by the Government physi.
cian, who was at the time on his way
to the camps to visit some sick In
dians. The little one had been buried
in the hillock of SAID and left to die,
sent to her cruel fate by her own
mother, who had hoped in this way to
save the other sister. For Achonhoah
had been born one of the twins, and
among the Apaches and Comanches the
dreadful custom still prevails of de-
stroying twins, because their birth is
believed to bring bad luck. Some.
times, if the little ones are born when
the father is away, the mother, in or
der to save one, will have the other
put to death, and pretend, on the
fathers return, that only one had been
born. This was what had happened to
Achonhoah. Her mother bad given
her to an old woman to destroy, and
the old woman had buried her in the
sand so that she might slowly smother
to death.
The Government physician, being
bachelor, and not knowing what else
to do, had brought the baby to the
home OF the missionary. Here she had
been ever since, as kindly cared for
as were any of the missionary's own,
five in number.
Achonhoah loved the missionary and
his wife devotedly-as much so as
though they had really been her father
and mother. for she knew no others.
She was now thirteen years old, tall,
in almost perfect health, with bright
mind. loving heart. and well deserv.
ing her name, which meant ito go
quickly" for there was no one who
could do errands more promptly than
Achonhoah.
The parentage of Achonhoah had
never been fully ascertained; but one
of the Indians who came frequently to
the agency, Harwepoyer by name,
had begun of late to declare that she
was his child-that he had discovered
it and could prove it. But so far he
had not brought forward the proof.
Harwepoyer was a sullen, ill.tem-
pered Indian, tyrant, both in his
tepee and in the camps, where he was
especially dreaded by the women and
children. It was Sno wonder, then,
that both the missionary and the ply
stefan had made up their minds thut
they would protect Achonhoah from
him at almost any cost, for she had
grown very dear to them. Achonhoah
herself felt shudder every time she
even thought of Harwepoyer, while
the supposition that he might be her
father was unbearable.
"Mind, now, no capers with Bla.
chita,". said Mrs. Melton, as Achon-.
hoah was leaving the room. s'If eggs
are to be brought in safety, then Miss
Blachita must be kept from Spanish
fandangoes. Asober walk, remember,
my dear, all the way back. y
eyes, white mother. Never fear. l
will whisper to Biachita, and she'll I'M.
stand every word I say, and go as
softly as fairies walking on moonlight.
I have only to tell her, aud she will
understand and will do as say"
Mrs. Melton laughed.
''Oh, I forgot that Miss Blachita
was an educated young lady-that she
had, in short, been for two terms to
the Melton high school! Next year I
suppose she will be asking the faculty
for diploma, along with her mis-.
tress. !"
'shs could get it now, white
mother, ii smartness could take it,
and with these words Achonhoah ran
away to saddle her pet.
BIachita was in the inclosure back of
the mission house, nibbling away at
the grass. As soon as she heard her
mistress give that peculiar little whistle
she knew SO well she stopped her nib
bling at once and pirouetted up to the
bars on her nimbls black legs. Save
for one white spot directly between
the eyes and O larger one nearer tho
nuzzle, Blaohita was as black as :
coal. Hence the name that had been
given her, which was Spanish, and
means Little Blackv.'
eve are wanted to go for some eggs,
Hlaohita mia lmy Iittls BIsekYl, said