The Iola register., 1902-03-28
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Ta-Tat'S Transformation.
The Grand Coup Of an Indian Maid.
BY JOHN HAROLD HAMIIN,
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THE languorous mists of a perfect
L Indian summer shrouded the pur-
pie peaks of the Cone mountains. Lo-
Gusts sang shrilly from every grease
wood bush, and whole choruses of the
same insects droned forth from the
mahogany shrubs. The landscape had
a peculiar conical tendency: each in
dividual hill was cone-shaped; the
nut-pines, punctuating their gray
blue slopes, tapered to a dull green
cone; and down at the base of pyra-
midical mountain clustered few
peaked wickiups. A cloud of reddish
dust foated skyward and mingled
with the shimmering veil of autumn
haze that blurred the hill tops. The
reddish dust arose from q trail that
twisted in sinuous loops up and over
the Cone mountains, as three ponies
course. A roam pony led the trio;
he was ridden by stern old Meloxi, an
Indian of wide repute among the
Washoe tribe. The second animal, a
strange little pinto, bore the daughter
of MeloXi; and bringing up the rear
came Washoe Billy, mounted on his
sturdy bay.
The riders were silent, but, being
Indians, this seemed matter of fact;
something might be learned from the
expressions stamped on the counte-
nances of the three redskins. Meloxi
looked stern and dignified; Ta-tat, his
daughter, rebellious and indignant;
while Washoe Billy wore vie orious
half-smile every time he glanced at
Ta-tat, which was not 'infrequently.
The ponies were tired and dusty-the
riders cramped and dusty, too.
Several dogs began to yelp as the
tiny cavalcade approached the wick
iups; half dozen airily clad papooses
skurried up from the trickling stream
in the nearby arroyo, and stared at
the sorry-looking party. by the time
the ponies were halted before Meloxi's
tepee, the whole village had gathered
about them Neither MeloXi nor
Washoe Billy caused this unusual in
terest; Ta-tat. the rebellious-counte-
nanccd daughter Of chief, had re-
turned into their midst; not willing
ly, either, but forcibly brought home
by her father and future husband,
Washoe BinyE>f7 q. "' : SCR. ..F.
Ig'lt was this ihaideny 'the pride rof
the Cone atnonntain Washoes, that ex-
,cited2 the 'cuidosity lof the villagers.
Ta-tht, from mere infancy, attracted
considerable attention. On her right
temple grew "A glistening wisp of
white hair, which accentuated the
raven dusliineSs of her abundant
locks. This spot of white among the
| shining black resembled magpie's s
plumage, and for this reason she was
called Ta-tat, the Washoc word for
the chattering magpie. Then Ta-tat
was very clever, and one day MeloXi
listened TO the appeal of a home mis-
sionary lady, which resulted in his
sending bright little Ta-tat away to
the Carson Indian school. No other
| Cone mountain pnpoose had ever at
tended the school, consequently the
relatives and friends of Ta-tat took
a deep interest in her progress at the
institution.
For five years she had been acquir-
ing the book-lore of the palefaces;
often MeloXi received letters that
were carefully read to him by RancheI
! lannon's wife, who lived not far from
Gone mountain. All reports reaching
MeloXis ears We're good, and quite
creditable even to a big chiefs daugh.
! ter. So MeloNi spoke proudly of his
clever Ta-tat, and deposited her letters
in dainty willow basket, from which
he took them to demonstrate to ev'
cry visitor the accomplishments OF
this Washoe princess.
But one day a startling revelation
was made to the Cone mountain
Washoes. One of their own villagers
while visiting Carson, saw Ta-tat
walking with Horace Hop-Foot, anC
promptly reported the fact on his
return home. Now the Washoes dc
not object TO their madens keeping
company with young braves-far from
it; but Ta-tat's hand had long beer
promised to Washoe Billy, and tC
think that she could so far forget her
self as to walk with another brave
and he Piute at that, and whose rep
utation was quite notorious, rouset
the wrath of Meloxi and Washoe Bill
y, and all the villagers besides. Aftel
Il brief consultation, the old chief, ac
sompanied by Ta-tat's intended and al
sxra pony, journeyed Carson-wards
intent upon conducting the tickle ant
disloyal girl back to the paterna