Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-02-22

Then he turned quickly and walked
away.
"Neshoba promises to return before
winter" Mr.. Redfeld explained to Mel
lie.
1T viii take him al his loife t. git al
thin hides" Mollie said. laughing.
you've asked good deal Of the poor
Indian, think" said Mr.. RedAeld.
'Sura, I did. I want to keep him
busy a-shootin' wild beasts the rest Of
his loife. 20 he'll not be botherin' me
all the toime," said Aollie.
The winsome Irish girl stood at the
door to watch her lover depart. The In
dian mounted his shaggy pony and gal
loped westward. Mollie gazed stead
fastly after him until the horse and
rider were . mere speck on the horizon.
Then she gave q sigh Of relief and went
to work with Q merry heart.
All summer Mollie played the CO.
quette with the mountain trapper. the
cowboy and another admirer. q Mexi.
can ranchman. who had Travelled many
q mile on hearing of the Irish girls
charms. But she baffled them all
away wild ye! Yer blarney I'll not
listen to-" she would say. At another
time she would encourage them, say
ing: 'Arrah, some day I'll choose me
husband" So the three lovers waited
patiently, each thinking that he was
the favored one.
One evening in early autumn Mollie
was busy at work In the kitchen. She
heard footsteps in the yard, SO she
flung open the door, exclaiming: AN
who comes a-courtin' me to-night?"
There stood Neshoba. Mollie could
scarcely see him because Of the pelts
and feathers that hung from his body.
"Ow-ow-ow! Begone, ye wild In
jinr the girl screamed.
Neshoba stepped across the threshold
and threw down at the feet of Mollie
fifty squirrel skins. a dozen mink skins,
half a dozen white wolf hides, two leOp-
ard pelts. the hides and antlers of four
reindeer. the wings Of a white heron,
the breasts of two grebe and two wild
turkey wings. The Indian pointed nj
the trophies, then at Mollie, saying:
"SQuaw."
Mollie ran to the farthermost corner
of the room and climbed upon a rough
beam and there she cringed upon her
perch like a terrified bird. while the
Indian fixed his hawk-like glance upon
her.
Mr.. Redfield heard the commotion
and hastened to the kitchen. When he
saw Neshoba he said: "Oh, MOllie
we've played a serious joke on the poor
Indian. What shall say to himT'
"Tell him to be dacint an go away
loike a gintleman. I'll give him money
fer all his hides" said MOllie.
The Indian understood Mollie's pro
posal. He said, persistently: "SQuaw
squaw."
"Sind him of, Mr. Redfield; sind him
orr Mollie said.
Mr.. Redfield argued with Neshoba
hut -tto.ax-diens stood resolute, saying
''SQuaw promise"
| Mr.. Redfield offered him money, bu
the Indian would not take 1t. Mollit
kept crying out: "Sind him away Ol
I'll dier' At last Neshoba gathered uI
his pelts and walked slowly out Of the
door. Mollie descended from the bean
| and fell all in a heap at Mr.. Redfield's
| feet, crying: BE me sowl, I've sinned"
FROM that moment all the blithesOme
ness died out of the Irish girls life. A
great cloud overshadowed her gay
spirit. Her merry heart seemed to
turn to a lump of lead; she could
neither laugh nor sing. Her three lovers
called daily. Mollie told them: me
heart is broke fer the poor Injin. III
marry no man." Mrs. Redfield tried to
comfort the girl, but Mollie answered
II hate the big prairie; it reminds me
Of Neshoba. hate this wild. hathen
ish loife. oh, poor Neshoba! I've
killed the honest Injin's sowl. l must
60 away to a convent to dnd comfort y
So Mollie went back East and enter
ed an order Of the Sisters Of Mercy
where she spent the rest Of her life do.
ing deeds Of kindness to atone for hei
sins. Every night she prayed at hei
window, which faced westward, fol
| the soul Of her Indian lover.
| Mr.. Redfeld never saw Neshobs
again. 1t was reported that he rushed
unarmed into one of the Indian battles
and was killed.-New York Ledger.
|