Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-03-26


bush, and whole choruses of the same
insects droned forth from the mahog-
any shrubs. The landscape had pc
culiarly conical tendency; each indi-
vidual hill was cone-shaped; the nut
pines, punctuating their gray-blue
slopes, tapered to dull green cone;
and down at the base or pyramidical
mountain clustered a few peaked wick
iups. A cloud of reddish dust fioated
skyward and mingled with the SHIN
mering veil of autumn haze that
blurred the hill tops. The reddish
dust arose from a trail that twisted
in sinuous loops up and over the Cone
mountains as three ponies picked their
way along it's winding 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, 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 counten-
ances of the three redskins. Meloxi
looked stern and dignfied; Ta-tat, his
daughter, rebellious and indignant;
while Washoe Billy wore victorious
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 wicki-
ups; 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 coun-
tenanced daughter of chief, had re-
turned into their midst; not willing
ly, but forcibly brought home by her
father and future husband, Washoe
Billy.
1t was this maiden, the pride of the
Cone mountain Washoes, that excited
the curiosity of the villagers. Ta-tat,
from mere infancy, attracted consid-
erable attention. On her right temple
grew a glistening wisp of white hair,
which accentuated the raven duskiness
of her abundant locks. This splotch
of white among the shining black re-
sembled a magpie's plumage, and for
this reason she was called Ta-tat, the
Washoe word for the chattering mag
pie. Then Ta-tat was very clever and
one day Meloxi listened to the appeal
of a home missionary lady, which re-
suited in his sending bright little Ia
tat away to the Carson Indian school.
No other Cone mountain papoose had
ever attended the school, consequently
the relatives and friends of Ta-tat
took deep interest in her progress at
the institution.
For five years she had been acquir-
ing the book-lore of the palefaces; Of
ten Meloxi received letters that were
carefully read to him by Rancher
Bannon's wife, who lived not far from
Gone mountain. All reports reaching
Meloxis ears were good, and quite
creditable even to big chiefs daugh-
ter. So MeloXi spoke proudly of his
clever Ta-tat, and deposited her letters
in dainty willow basket, from which
he took them to demonstrate to every
visitor the accomplishments of this
Washoe princess.
But one day 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, and
promptly reported the fact on his re-
turn home Now the Washoes do not
object to their maidens keeping COM
pany with young braves-far from it,;
but Ta-tat's had long been promised TO
| Washoe Billy, and to think that she
could so far forget herself as to wall,
with another brace, and he Piute at
that, and one whose reputation was
quite notorious, reused the wrath OF
Meloxi and Washoe Billy, and all the
| villagers besides After a brief con-
sultation, the old chief, accompanied
! by Ta-tat's intended and an extra
pony journeyed Carson-wards, Intent
upon conducting the tickle and disloyal
girl Rack to the paternal lodge.
That his mission terminated sue
cessfully was clearly illustrated when
the expedition returned to Cone noun
tain. Ta-tat deigned not to greet with
any show of cordiality the companions
of her childhod days. She slid off the
weary pinto, shook out her dusty gar
ntents, and walked with naughty indif
ference the gauntlet of inquisitive
Washoes. She did not halt until the
flag of her fathers wickiup hid hel
from view. This was far different
Homecoming than had been planned
! for MeloXi's famed daughter. Her dis
grace assumed gigantic proportions
the villagers were amazed to think
that Washoe Billy still desired tc
marry her. Washoe Billy understood
matters better than his people TIA
| A. f,,,. !, ,i,,,