Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1898-10-21

T0tmsheans know all about the dev0-Ab.
solutely ALL"
Throughout tho old Tsimshean creed
and legends the devil appears as an idle,
vicious imbecile, whose sole passion IL the
desire for food, and whose every crime 10
committed from that motive. He murders,
lies, steals, only TO crafty his Unsuitable
appetite. and ID, moreover, forever bounded
on to fresh villainies by the fact that under
no circumstances can he get food honestly.
Long, long ago . strange trouble came
upon the chief. A son was born to him
who a. years heightened acquired no
growth and would take no s~ustenance.
This af1iction caused great grief not only
IN b chiefs house, but In all the tribe
besides. Sages held council over II, medi-
cine men prayed over 1t without avail.
Never q morsel passed the boys lips. and
never an inch was added to his stature.
One day the watohers Of the ocean raw q
mysterious shape emerge from the most
distant water and move In toward shore.
Nearing, It showed y very aged man,
gray and bent. who, unquestioned az un-
questioning, made straight for the chiefs
door. When he vas seated by the freside,
the chiefs wife, as is tho custom Of the
Tsimsheans, offered food.
AoesA eo0V yOU have q 0Ou WIN WAL
not eat. !" said the old man. "Bring him
here"
The thing was done, and the stranger,
removing q bit Of the skin Of his own arm,
rolled IL in q little ball with some of the
food before him and put the ball into the
ohild's mouth.
''Eat." he commanded. Then he arose
and departed as no had come, never to reap.
pear.
The boy not only swallowed what had
been given him, but turning to the dish
abandoned by the ancient one ate that also.
bring more!'' he DRIED.
More food was fetched by the rejoicing
mother, to be consumed with undated
Sest. The happy news flew through the
village. The chiefs son ate at last. A
crowd Of witnesses gathered and still the
marvel grew. Dish after dish disappeared,
and as the hoy dcvoured no grew apace.
Finally, tho edible stores Of the household
utterly exhausted, he arose and strobe
away, and with each stride no SPAWNED q
valley. using the peaks AZ stepping stones.
70 monstrous had he grown.
Tho sen teemcd with fish and the forest
with game, but whatever his need the
devil (for this was hey might not put out
his hand to take the smallest living thing
from either one. Creative power no had,
but only for the creation Of evil, or rather
OF futilittes-of meaningless trash. From
tho bark of a tree he once modelled a man
Of the normal size Of man, gave it life and
mado 1t his attendant slave. The creature
possessed some low cunning, but wa
quite faithless, SO that tho two ran togeth-
or In folly and were mutual thorns in the
side.
Once upon Q time tho devil, furnishing,
desired to get food from o certain settle
ment. Therefore he said to his slave, ~
will hang oookleshells In my ears and
walk before the village, and do you go in
among the houses and cry out loudly, so
that all the women hear, See where the
great chief walks, with mother Of pearl
In his earsi'"
For Q great chief does not enter q vii.
laee unannounoed or without special So
licitation, and the devil as q fool can be
neither honest nor wise. He wished to
dazzle the women with magnifcence, but
his pinchbeck nature oontented itself and
thought to impose upon others with imi.
tation anery-with cookies for the much
priced mother Of pearl. So he strutted up
and down before the settlement while the
little slave in among the houses called out,
"See where the. great chief walks, with
oockleshells in his earsi'
"Say mother Of pearl, knavei" growls
the devil, furious.
But the slave only cries the louder, .'See
where the great chief walks, with oockle.
SHELLS in his earsl' Because, being the
DEVILS invention and an idle, shallow
thing. he will do nothing, not sve lie,
tor tho good Of another than himself. At
Il 1A0k - "NS1on No1p.no 80 H,~~ S~4~ ~-l Alao
the slave ask bis muster in. The devil en-.
tersy seating himself by the freside in 81
lence. for bis dignity az q great chief for
bids him to speak except through the
mouth Of his slave. The woman, as ETH
quette demands, brings food.
docs the great chief like smoked cal.
mon2" she inquired Of the slave.
s''Tell her ! do,'' the hungry devil
prompts in an eager whisper.
But the slave, being the DEVILS creation.
will do nothing, not even tell the truth.
tor the good of another than himself.
.The great chief does not like smoked
salmon" he responds, with all heraldio
pomp and elaboration, and then, still 40.
oording to etiquette. receives and devours
tho salmon himself.
Now the woman, following the law Of
hospitality. that may not be -transgressed.
offers . second&viand.
4 q the great chief like herring roei,
che respectfully asks.
.sTell5 her ] do, :, Misses the devil, grown
rayenous in his tantalized fast.
1.-THE great chief does not like herring
roe." says the slave, imperturbed and @
pompous AZ before, and 90 they proceeded
until all the food In the house had. been
consumed by the crafty servant