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


one day Meloxi listened TO the ap3cat
of home missionary lady, whi.a ie-
suited in his sending bright little Ia
tat away TO the Carson Indian school
No other Cone mountain papoosc 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
Cone mountain. All reports reaching
Meloxi's ears were good, and quite
creditable even to big chiefs dauga-
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 10
Washoe Billy, and to think that she
could so far forget herself as to walk
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 brief con-
sultation. the old chief, accompanied
by Ta-tat's intended and an extra
pony, journeycd Carson-wards, intent
upon conducting the tickle and disloyal
girl back 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
ments, and walked with naughty indif-
ference the gauntlet of inquisitive
Washoes. She did not halt until the
flag of her fathers wickiup hid her
from view. This was a 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 to
marry her. Washoo Billy understood
matters better than his people. Ia
tat never pretended 10 care for hin!;
Meloxi made the match. Even though
he was a chief, the title proved but
an empty honor, and Billy's numerous
ponies and three guns appealed to his
covetous nature; therefore, when Billy
sued Tor Ta-tats hand. McloXi con-
sented upon learning that two ponies
and shotgun would be his portion Of
the wedding contract In addition,
MeloXi possessed his quota of racial
pride. and never could lose his hatred
for the Piutas. so firmly had his father
instilled in his mind the bitter details
of the old feud existing between the
two tribes And TO think of Ta-tat's nro-
fessed partiality to q miserable Piutc
more than strengthened his desire for
a speedy marriage between her and
Washoe Billy. Ta-tat safe in his
wickiup, Billy eager to claim her rs
his wife, and tho porios and gun with
held until after the ceremc.y-thosa
facts prompted McloXi to set an early
date for his daughters wedding.
The news had apparently no effect
upon the sulky Ta-tat She realized
how little sympathy would be forth