Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-09-30
Big Chief and the Chicken.

Big Chief ana the Cn1ckcus
"How! SwapY 'sHow" was the Big
Chiefs way Of saying "How do you
do?" and swap was his way of in
viting trade.
Jennie was Z years old, and lived
with her parents in tiny rough-built
stone house one mile north of the line
which separates Kansas from the In
dian Territory. The Kaw Indians, who
Occupied the reservation nearest Jea-
MES home, often came to the State to
trade with the settlers, to whom they
would offer pieces Of gaudy calico. moe
casins and necklaces made of rows of
bright-colored beads strung and fast
ened together IN a skiiffuf- way known
only to the Indians.
Ever since she could remember, Jen-
ME had longed for one of these neck
laces. Every one of her little girl
friends had one; but Jennie's parents
had been 'tseeing hard times" for sew
eral years, and Jennie's mother was
far too careful to trade her chickens
flor the Indians would insist on having
chickens) for anything SO useless as
necklace Once in great While she
would exchange a chicken for few
wards of calico out of which to make
Jennie a dress.
This afternoon Jennie's parents had
gone to the nearby village and had left
Jennie alone, as they often did; for she
was a sturdy child and not at all afraid.
Indeed, there was nothing to fear. All
DANGEROUS wild animals had been hunt
ed out, and the Kaws were peaceable,
we'll behaved tribe.
Jennie was drawing on her slate
when she heard the Big Chiefs call.
AS she opened the door and peeped out,
he leaned over in his saddle and dan
gled a gorgeous necklace almost in her
face. Jennie gasped for breath. The
necklace was so beautiful, flaming red,
blue, pink, yellow, green-far prettier
than any the other girls had.
"Ohr said Jennie at last.
"Swap?" said the Big Chief, sugges-
lively.
81 can't" said Jennie. "My mother
Just then her mothers favorite roos-
ter ran across the yard. He was a big
fellow, and had a lovely long green
feather in his tail.
"Chickenv' demanded the Big Chief.
Jennie was half afraid and very I'M
certain. But suddenly the Big Chief,
after a quick glance at her face, sprang
from his saddle, swooped down upon
| the rooster, gathered him in his arms,
and was back in the saddle quicker
than it takes to tell it.
"Now," he said, "swap" And he
held out the necklace.
"Y-e-s," said Jennie, slowly.
The very next morning her mother
asked:
Have you seen the big rooster this
morning, Jennie"
mo" answered Jennie.
A few days later her mother remark.
ed:
81 suppose coyote must have caught
, the big rooster"
To this Jennie answered nothing.
Jennie hid her necklace in her OWL
private box with her other treasures
No one but Jennie ever touched thai
box. Monday morning she tucked bel
necklace under her apron front, but
was half way to school before she
dared fasten it about her neck. She
was duly envied by all the girls, bu
on her way home she hid the necklace
under a rock. This with strange kline
of fear she did every evening. Sh'
grew to dread having visitors. Sht
was afraid some of them might men
ton the necklace before her mother
In truth, the little girl was very mis-
erable, for her tender heart was touch
ed by her mothers evident regret owe
the loss of the rooster.
On Saturday afternoon, almost tw'
months after the trade. the Big Chic
again rode up to the door Of Jennie
home. Jennie's eyes opened wide will