The Lamar register., 1898-12-28


old Manuth understood her words per
feetly, though he would not repiE IN
English
"He SAYS we come back one weeA
before Christmas interpreted the
slender little Indian girl. looking rom
her father to her teacher with ple~u-
ing eyes.
"one week plenty time, Miss Ser
ton2" she asked AnKiously as he1
teacher did not speak,
Il no like miss Christmas tree.
feel very bad miss Christmas sinslhs.
Maybe so come back two weeks oelote
ChristmasI" She took no thought OF
the length Of time a week really was
in her eagerness. She added the last
sentence with sudden emphasis. look
ing up triumphantly into Miss beF-
tons calm face.
DO you wish to go very much, Lo-
zette?" asked Miss Berton.
The child hesitated and cast down
her eyes. seeing disapproval in her
teachers quiet manner.
Manuth muttered something in their
own language. Quickly raising her
eyes to Miss Berton's Lozette said en-
phatieally: Il want go very much
Miss Berton did not reply for mo-
ment, but stood looking steady at the
child. and then. as though consenting
against her VIII. she said. rather
sternly:
Your father must promise me that
you viii be back week before Christ
mas. You know what promise means
AID you must make him remember"
Lozette promised solemnly. and Ma
nuth grunted approyingly.
He says how much days stay, Miss
Berton?" again she interpreted
Miss Berton counted them on her fn-
gers.
Seven days-one week. Three
days more-ten days. Stay ten days.
then come back. that will be six days
before Christmas. Do you under
stand?"
"Ugh,T assented Manuth. holding up
his ten fingers, waving his hand away
in the direction he wished TO go and
then bringing his fist back to sud
den halt. indicating his going and his
return.
wher Miss Berton took Lozette up
to the dormitory to wrap her warm in
good. heavy clothes, she asked:
why do you care SO much TO go on
this journey with your father?-
Lozetts's eyes frightened as she
answered with great pride.
My father big man. otoe's make
pipe-danee and big feast They ask my
father dance. They give him ponies
and blankets. like see my father
dance and be big man"
'iiss Berton's face grew serious. s7t
she only said: Il am sure my Christ
mas child viii remember her promise.
You have never been absent on Christ
mas day and 1t would spoil all our
pleasure Il you were not here to lead
the singing"
Spoil Christmas Child. too: she
come hack sure. Miss Berton." Lozette
said. her earnestness supplying the de-
icieney of words in conveying her
meaning.
Lozette was born in the school build
ing On Christmas morning ten years
before. As her mother was employed
IN and on about the laundry all those
years the child had never been taken
away for any length OF time. especial
ly since she had grown old enough 70
be in school
Miss Berton had called her THE
Christmas Child" when she first saw
her a little brown pappoose. and Ma
nuth had christened her Lozette when
the small. round spot was tattoed in
her forehead.
Miss Berton had taken up her life
work in this mission school among the
Indians. and whoever else came or
went. she had remained, until sllyery
threads were beginning TO appear In
the smooth bands of her hair. She
possessed the confidence of the old In
dians and the love and obedience OF
their children. because, understanding
them. she dealt with them honestly
When she first came among them she
revolted at their heather customs. ana
protested bitterly against their dances,
feasts and superstitious practices
Long experiences, however. had caught
her that she might as well go out into
the forest and attempt to tame the wild
animals there, as to apply herself to
the task of instilling into Indians al
ready grown old a liking for white
mans ways She realized that the sal
vation of the race rested with the chill
dren, and for their education and Chris
tianizatiHi she was untiring feel
fp1 ~ = toortra oop,apf opd pofp crap.