Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1902-02-19

! the Piates: ~,
prcpriatc fdl1z Loft prin-
cess, even tholSy9 tlf2z1 princess was
sadly disgraced; still her father COM
nlandcd universal respect, and the
Washocs were only too eager to seize
upon an opportunity for a big time.
While the preliminary arrangements
Mimmed mcrrily along, and the we'd
ding morn but five days away, Ta-tat
hit upon brilliant scheme. She
frightened up as willing bride should,
and for the first time since her return
took a decided interest in the coming
event. That afternoon. in company
With Washoe Billy, Ta-tat tripped
lightly over to Farmer Bannon's. Mrs.
Bannon had always been extremely
fond Of the girl; and. since the bride
to-bc requested Washoe Billy's attend
ance, no one objected to the visit, and
every one felt highly pleased at the
happy turn Of anars.
Mrs. Bannon and Ta-tat carried on
very ordinary conversation, with
WaShoe Billy close listener. He heard
nothing 70 alarm him; but, just before
departing, Ta-tat stepped into the
kitchen, placed a leIler in Mrs. Tan-
mons hands. and begged her to mail it
that very day. Washoe Billy failed to
observe this little side play, and grunt-
ed in serene contentnent as the twain
walked back to the village.
ShriH and sweet sounded the locust
chcruses in the thick sagebrush; happy
insects that could sing in blissful igno-
rance Of slain comrades parching under
the September sun at the Cone noun
| tain village-daintiest Of delectable In
dian eatablcs, those parched locusts.
Rabbits and fish and sagehen were
also conspicuously abundant as prep
and there, upon the Goals, sputtered the
elaborate piece dc resistance-a great,
fat steer, purchased by the groom from
Farmer Bannon.
The suns rays lost their wonted
ferceness as they filtered through the
soft, misty alrlunlnal haze; the Indian
braves glidcd here and there, vertable
sun-gods. arraHed IN gcant breech
clouts, their skins glistening like bur-
nished copper, and their befeathered
heads and painted faces resembling
those of warriors OF early days. Me-
| loXi ard Washoc Billy were untiring
in their efforts to do full homer to this
occasion, and the villagers felt equally
desirous of pushing things 20 a grand
climaX.
Ta-tat, IN accordance with an old
custom Of the Washoes, sat in solitary
magnifcencc within her fathers wick
iup. awaiting hcr lords first command.
Her dainty. beaded moccasins tapped
the carthen floor ncrvously; there re-
rlained but few hours ere the closing
OF the ceremonies and her claiming by
Washoa Billy. She cautiously peered
through the loose flap and watched the
festivities. Long shadows stretched
out from the con;cal mountains; the
sun hung like IL blood-red disk just
above the horizon; the feast had begun
in earnest. and her people and the
wedding guests were gorgins them
scircs in barbaric Indian fashion.
Three hours of fcasting, two hours Of
dancing. and then the surrounding of
her lodge by ,hc rcvelcrs; the brief
ceremony of the oldest medicine man,
and She would be Washoc Billys slave,
and her dreams Of love with Hcp-Foot
Things Of the past
The molten sun rested on the apex
of the lofliest cone-shaped peak; the
feast progressed beautifully. a rim Of
fire, a sky Of brass, and Sol sank on
Ta-tats wedding day, and the aggre-