Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-08-29
coNLoN's AToNEMENT.
A Study Of Life in the Indian Terri.
tory.

John Conlon was a clear-eyed, low
spoken, understood Irishman, with a
manner surprisingly reserved for a work.
ing-man. He came down into the Indian
Territory from-well people didn't know
just where he did come from, except
that 1t was from the North, where he
had found an Indian wife. The silent
Indian wife and the three close-mounted
half-breed girls let IL be known briefly
that they were of the Fox tribe, and
that Conlon had come to marry the
woman on the Sac and Fox reservation
in Iowa. Also the girls were proud
of the fact that their shlftless father
had been gentler bred than those who
stood by and Knocked when the drink
gripped him.
A rickety wagon and two thin ponies
made up Conlon's visible capital when
he reached the Cherokee country. Here
his wagon wheel broke. and he rented
ten acres of bottom-land and a log
shanty from Mike Lannigan. He lived
on the tickle border between starvation
and a full belly for a season, and then
came short period of affiuence. He
expanded like a mummied wheat grain.
and the tale of his life unfolded in the
rich liquor that he loved.
II had begun, twenty years before,
with quarrel between the boy just out
of Harvard and old DR.. Conlon, his
father. The old man ordered Jim to
medical school. The boy refused because
he wanted to study music. No compro-
mise was possible between them and Jim
starting West In a frenzy of rebellion,
found himself at the Sac and Fox
agency. where an acquaintance had
charge of the distribution of food and
clothing. The agent liked Jim, and
kept him, on one pretext and another.
long past the time when the California
mines were to receive him. The agent
was lonely. and he liked to talk.
See that old fellow, out there?" he
queried one day as the two sat in the
agency porch. Jim nodded. That's
old Bear Claw" the agent continued,
"once Chief of the Foxes. the richest
Indian in the country He owned the
site of a Government fort out In Wyom-
ing. had clear title. got lawyers and all,
and finally got 10000 out of the Govern
ment."
"How's that?" Conlon asked quickly,
waking from a futile dream.
"Oh. he got every cent of it," the
agent affirmed; $4,000 in cold cashi
He put II into bonds. and l paw over
the interest every quarter. He draws
his regular blankets and rations. though
He's got a daughter. Jim, that you
might marry, If you're hunting a fortune
Better than goldmining, l should think"
why don't you marry her YOURSELF"
Conlon asked.
''Me?" laughed the agent. "Ohl I'm
tied to girl in Indiana. Here's her
picture" The agent opened the back
of his watch, and showed Jim the picture
of blue-eyed. blond-haired maid for
ever smiling stifiiy in awkward new
clothes.
Conlon stared after the figure of the
ancient chief with a new interest Sixty
thousand dollarsi That was fine sum.
a princely fortune; and In bonds. He
10
could soften the glitter of contempt in
old man Conlon's eyes with a sum like
that; and he could go on studying music
until the world Numbered its applause
of his clear tenor notes.
II was plain pillage that Conlon set
out to accomplish when he sought out
Bear Claws daughter, and made light
love to her while the old Indian snored.
But the boy was desperately alone and
his fathers repulse had cut his pride.
But this much credit he saved out of the
af1air, he fell in love with the girl-loved
her to the end, too-and would have
married her without cent or a blanket
to keep out the wind. The old full
blood was near the end of his life when
Conlon asked for the girl. 81 love her."
he said, "as sure as there is a star in
the sky. I'll care for her as long as
the blood flows through my veins" He
spoke extravagantly. fioridly, but IL was
the quality of speech the old man under
stood.
But you are white" Bear Claw pro-
tested weakly, land / am not sure that
1t is a marriage that ought to be made.
And how do 1 know that you do not
marry for the money she will have
when l go?" The keen old eyes fixed
the sutton questioningly.
Then bury the money with ye," said
the boy shortly, the brogue of his father
coming back to his tongue with the ex-
element. TITS the girl I want" he
added.
Conlon married the girl and took her
to Chicago where his father lived. He
had dreams on the way-of the recon-
ciliation; of the old man growing to
love his brown beauty; of his own career
as student and singer; of the education
of that soft-eyed wild thing; of living
his span of years in the glamour of that
beautiful romance Deep down. Jim was
a warm hearted hoy, and love was riding
down resentment and rebellion.
II was a timid. wild bewildered but I'M
consciously dignifed girl that Jim led up
the steps of his fathers big house, Her
slender figure, the unframed, straight
backed dignity, the girish appeal of
her, should have softened the old mans
heart; but when he came to the door
in answer to his boys ring, he pointed
to the hesitating girl, and asked sternly;
''What do We call that. sir, that We
bring to my door?" At that Jim went
pale. shivered a moment, then the words
sprang lwhite-hot to his lips:
''She Is my wife, sir and no man can
speak" Then he checked himself, know