Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-23
On the Reservation
BY

Copyright, 1902. the s. s. Mcclure Coz
Henry Young Bear lounged into the
agency store Just In time TO hear the store
keeper say. impressively:
And the teachers goin' 10 be married
tonight and take the 1880 train west. She's
goin' to the Philippine islands. Her mans
a soldier. Mollie told me all about II
when she came down for a dozen lemons
and a pound Of chocolate. Miss Bates
didn't expect him. She was surprised
when he came over last night and wanted
to be married right away. II they don't
catch the train they won't catch the
steamer, and IL they miss that steamer
he's liable to be court-martialed and shot"
Henry Strengthened his shoulders and
walked up to the counter.
What you say7" he asked, forgetting
that he had not spoken English since he
returned from Carlisle.
The storekeeper gave a startled jump.
II always said you could speak English
~ you wanted to-" he grumbled. 'It wasn't
any use your hanging around the teacher.
She's goin' TO marry a lieutenant OF volun-
teers Of the United States Of America, and
leave here forever on the night train"
She is notl" Henry spoke calmly, but
with determination, and before the store
keeper could more than gasp at THE cheek
Of the Injun" he left the stores
His face was as black as his hair and
his heart heavy as he stumbled over the
doorstep. He knew the man spoke the
truth. He had seen Miss Bates when she
met her lover, and the expression on her
face convinced him that the interest she
had shown in him was for his race, not to
him as an individual.
Holly his thoughts few back over the
few months Of their friendship. He was a
Carlisle Indian, home from school for the
FIRST time since he had left the reservation
Q mere boy. How be hated the dirty hut.
The uncouth manners Of his people fretted
him. Life was unbearable, He had
learned the tinsmith's trade at school, but
there was no work for him on the reserva-
tion and his people would not let him
leave. SO be sulked around the town,
adopting the evils of civilization, refusing
to talk or understand English, and meeting
all questions from the white man with a
blank stare.
He had seen Miss Bates FIRST in the store
where she was going into ~raptures over the
Indian bead work and trappings. She had
entered the service with her mind filled by
an ideal Indian, a combination Of Aleesau-
dro and Chingachgook, and had yet to learn
the real red man. Her tall. slender figure
was outlined against the dingy interior Of
the store and Henry watched her, maKne-
tized. She was like the women he had
seen In the east, and he followed her back
to school and sat on the steps In the sun
until Capt Brown came out and ordered
him home.
The next day he had met her on the lake
shore and she had been curious to try his
bark canoe. He showed her how to crouch
Indian fashion and under the influence Of
her eager questions his tongue was ioos-
ened ana he spoke the ghlte r,sn'e Isr
guaGe. After that they met often, at the
simple school ~socials. at church and at tho
agency.
Now she was going away, going TO be
married. He ground his teeth and swore
she should not. II she did not catch the
train the lieutenant would be court mar
tailed and shot. He did not know what
for and did not care. The storokeeper
had said It would be so. He sat bent
nearly double out on the dock and failed
to hear the sound of steps behind him
until q voice that always called back the
little oourtesies he had learned at school
said EAyly;
Here is Henry Young Bear. He will
take you over. Henry, will you take Lieu
tenant Stanton over to town? The launch
has gone. To please me. Henry" she
added, as she saw his unwillingness.
His face frightened. He pushed the canoe
~ 9A4 ILAMlOu Ia R0I
In. The latter looked r~uefully at the light
craft dancing on the water.
How do / get In and what do do with
myself after I am in? 1 say, Miriam. /
can't go in this"
Yes you can" she laughed. Henry win
Uhow you. He gave me my first canoe ride.
DO you remember. Henry. the night after I
Gamer We went down the bay to get pine
needles"
Henry nodded his head and showed STAN
ton how to place himself so as to preserve
the balance of the canoe.
sure and be back for lunch" called
Miss Bates, waving her hand. "T will
wait for you"
stanton talked pleasantly as they left the
agency farther and farther behind them. |
unul they rounded q point and lost Il al.
together. He asked the usual questions. |
but Henry preserved a discreet silence.
Indeed. he did not hear him.. He had made
no definite plan, but his determination to
prevent Miss Bates marriage grew with
every stroke OF the paddle. He did not like
stanton. His eyes were too blue and he
laughed too much. He was Zoo short to
marry . girl as tall as Miss Bates, and
Henry drew himself up to his last inch and
made the canoe rock dangerously while
stanton drew his lips in a long whistle.
AZ they neared the town and saw the
United States marshal on the dock, Henry
smiled 70 himself and his pulse beat slower.
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