New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-29
INDIAN LIFE.
A STUDY OF IT FROM THE INSIDE.

INDIAN BoYHooD By cnsrles ac,a East I5ao
pp ssa Mcclure. Phillips Co
Here is a book which has serious value as we'll
rs picturesque interest 1t gives an intiHaee
and graphic account of Indian customs haplts
and character, written not by a Caucasian oo-
server. but by q FUN blooded Sioux Indian, who
looks back upon his childhood with yearning at
lection for his kinfolk and with delightful men,
Dries OF his youthful sports and occupations he
has selected his "reminiscences with discrlmiha-
ZION and his style is clear and acknowledgements
ties which ii has partly acquired, perhaps IN ms
wears of couapanionship with his New-England
wife
An Indian boyhood as this Indian describes it
was full of action and entertainment The ntue
Indian studied mankind and nature as the htte
Caucasian studies books. His senses were oe-
veloped TO a keenness which only the savage
knows and even in bahyhood he was taught 10
adjust himself to the life of the woods as thor
oushly as his elders Howls were not permitted
silence reticence self-control, were his earnest
lessons: necessary, indeed, in that wandering
life The songs which the Indian mothers sang
to their children spoke of high courage anu
manly skill in and hunting. very early 'iie
author tells US. the boy assumed the TASK Vi
preserving and transmitting the legends OF ms
ancestors and his race" BY the evening Ife
the head of the family would relate some true
story Of 2 daring deed or recall some ancient
myth that made the child's heart peat las'e
with wonder and excitement ION the follow
sne evening he was usually required to repeat
TT and his relatives criticised or applaudeo'
Single minded the young Indian had to be, per
force. His career was fixed, and he was IraAiieu
and trained himself, to pursue II Win an ll<a'
was strongest in his nature. Dr. Eastman oe-
clares that the characteristic skill in WooocraI'
Of the Indian was not instructive and heredlIaTS'
but the result of continual practice HIS recoi-
lections Of his uncle's methods Of instruction are
peculiarly interesting. and may easily suggest
to civilized teachers that they have themselves
something TO learn in the way of developing
thought. The manners and morals of the Indian
bow were not negiected-and here again the
Caucasian might go to school TO the savage
Religion at the root Of all Indian training;
youngsters We're made TO respect their elders
and to address them with unvarying courtesy
They were taught generosity TO the poor and to
restrain temper. No youth could seek a Wife
until he was past twenty-one, and was recog-
nized as a brave and a skilful hunter
therefore, 'fa good provider-' Nor. until that
period arrived he ever allowed to use to-
bacco. The endurance of hardship was one of
she earliest lessons-and that hardship was
often famine. The children were the last TO suf-
fer, however. their elders denying themselves for
the little ones. who could not so well bear
hunger. Our author tells that no North
American Indian has ever been known to COM
nit cannibalisn: death has always been pre-
ferred by the race. Speaking Of Indian clan
nishness, he asserts that the love of the Indians
for one another is stronger than that Of any
civilized people he knows.
The incidents Of tribal life and the many
vivid stories told at the evening fire make fascf-
mating reading set down here by Dr. East
man One idea Of the white man he notes as
particularly exasperating to him-the idea that
the Indian has no sense of humor and no fac
uity for rnirth II don't believe he says, Il
ever heard a real hearty laugh away from the
Indians freside. I have often spent an entire
evening in Laughing with them until could
laugh There evenings when the
recognized wit story teller Of the village gives
a free entertainment. which keeps the rest OF
the community in a convulsive state until he
leaves them"