Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-11
CHAPTER I.
The Returned Traveller.

Gentlemen. this is America"
The speaker cast upon the cloth-covered
table singular object, whose like none OF
those present had even seen. They gath
cred about and bent over it curiously.
This is that America" the speaker re-
peated. Here you have it, barbaric, won
derful, aboundng!'
With sudden gesture he swept his hand
among the gold coin that lay on the gam
ing table He thrust into the mouth of the
object before him a handful of louis dor
and English sovereigns. There is your
America" said he. 1T runs over with gold
No man may tell its richness. Its beauty
you can not imagine"
Faith" said Sir Arthur Pembroke, bend
ing over the table with glass in eye, IF the
ladies of that land have feet for this sort
Of shoon, methinks we might we'll emigrate.
Take you the money of it. For me, l would
see the dame could wear such shoe as
this"
One after another this company of young
Englishmen. hard players, hard drinkers.
gathered about the table and bent over to
examine the little shoe. 1t In
dian moccasin, cut after the fashion of the
Abenakis, from the skin Of the wild buck,
fashioned la:se and full for the spread of
the foot. covered deep with the stained
quilts of the porcupine. and dotted here and
there with the precious beads which. to the
maker. had more worth than any gold. A
little flap came up for cover to the ankle.
and a thong fell from its upper edge. II
was the ancient foot covering of the red
race of America. made for the slight but
effectual protection of the foot. while CIV
ing perfect freedom TO the tread of the
wearer. Light. dainty and graceful, its
size was much less than that of the aver
age womans shoe. of that time and place.
Bah! Pembroke" said Castleton, push
ing up the shade above his eyes till it rest
ed on his forehead. its a childs shoe"
Not So" said the first speaker. II give
you my word tbs the moccasin Of my sweet
heart. a princess in her own right, who
waits my coming on the Ottawa. And SO
far from the shoe being too small, l say as
a gentleman that she not only wore it SO,
but in addition used somewhat Of grass
therein in place of hose"
The earnestness of this speech In no wise
prevented the peal of laughter that fol-
lowed.
There you have It. Pembroke" cried
Castleton. Would you move to a land
where princesses use hay for hosiery"
IT'S curious done" said Pembroke. mus
ingly. none the less"
And done by her own hand" said the
owner of the shoe. with q certain proprie-
tary pride
Again the laughter broke out DO your
princesses engage in shoemaking?' asked a
third gamester as he pushed into the ring.
Sure IL must be a rare land. Prithee, what
doth the king in handicraft? Doth he take
to saddlery. or perhaps smithing?'
Have done thy jests, Wilson," cried Penn
broke. ''Mayhap there is somewhat to be
learned here of IS new world and of our
dear cousins, the French. Go on, tell u.s.
Monsieur du Mesne-as / think you call
yourself. sir?-tel US more of your new
country of Ice and snow. of princesses and
little Shoes
The original speaker went bit sullen.
what with his wine and the jests of his
companions. "I'll tell We naught" said
he Go see for yourselves, by leave Of
Louis"
Come now" said Pembroke. conciliating-