New-York tribune., 1901-10-16
THE EsQUIM4Us' DOWNFALL.
RUM oVERCOMES THEM. AND THEY LEAVE
BUFFALO IN DISGRACE BUT CLAD
IN FINE RAIMENr

Longing for the land OF the long sun and the
white fox and bear. hOmesick for their icehelds.
eleven small eyed, squat Esquinaus set sail yes
terday from South Brooklyn They go to ST. Johns
and then to their huts in Greenland. R. J. Tabor
guided these ruddy checked folks on from the
Buffalo Exposition
Why Were these strangers sailing sailing away
many days before the Rainbow City closes it's high
white gates Why they thus sent away?
For the crimson in their cheeks ntnted that they
had been asked TO leave. They were sent away
from Buffalo in shame; across the faces OF their
indictments ran the word rum" They had come
into the lap of ciNiliza ton: they had tasted the
white mans cup. and had drunk deep and many
times, to make them forget that they were lone
some and sad and because. when they had laid
their whiskey down, they had made themselves
exceeding mirthfuL the majesty OF the law de-
scended and cried to them 10 go.
Thrice three weeks ago, when the Northern skies
had not thrown off their winters melancholy. the
little band crawled from their cubbyholes. Clothed
IN the skins and furs Of beasts that had prowled,
they ran out Of the chill Of the small circles and
travelled by night and by day until they came to
Buualo. They the first Of the Mortimer to
see It's marveIs. Ranging themselves demureIy in
silent little group they looked and stared
at the passing throng. blinked at the trim white
american race, and held their peace. Then came
many days when the bearskins caused discomfort
and nights that had not IN them the peace OF their
dear Greenland There was dearth OF fat In
their daily food and the nerves OF the Esquinaus
Ill stood the wear
That was why the Mortimer drank from the
small. thin glass. and that Is why they yesterday
sailed.
And OF this tale there IS yet more. Squattfng in
The warm alleyways of their village, when they
mad done with their pipes and the curing of skins
OF tne seal, they marVelled the beauty OF the
eppdIel OF those who stared at them. Envy and
Jealousy gnawed AT their bosOms and IL was said
from one 10 the other that had they a sufiCiency
or the white mans wealth they would herewith
oececk themselves in the style of those who passed
and smiled.
And. 10! the opportunity was theirs Gold came
themselves possessed Of wealth. Biting each coin
10 test It's worth, the wise chief called his men
about him. Quoth ne:
1t is not meet that We take the metal OF this
clay in the river floor. IL IS more rfg1t that in
stead we buy the clothes and trnkets OF the white
man ~
Thereupon sturdy youth sought barber shop
locks were cut away. even from his brow 70 his
strong, brown neck When another youth had re-
gained ms nut that was like unto a beehive and
Caere slept II was b@holden unto all that upon
rehect the wondering faces OF the maid Us of his
land a third returned with a silver watch that
was half as broad as his scarlet waistcoat Before
u was night II was seen that others wide
ana that their bodies We're incased in the cheviOts
aud tweeds and Jhibets Of the temperate cline
Rings and Scar1pn5 that flashed in the sun were
set upon the persons OF each, but the gems could
who wore them. The dress Of the bride OF a year
VINO was with them gay as a hamngO's wing
30 they travelled 10 the ship. that
harnesSed from iJs pier. As the vessel stole away
tho bride Of year-writing. IN her left hand she
neId a fountain pen