The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1902-03-06

zaugh1t ipdiRereucc the eauntlet Of
hquisillve (tasl5uen. Ghe ala not halt
inlii the mp d kor ihthef's wichiup
aid her from view. This was = far
iifferent homecoming than had bsen
olsnned for MeloxI's famed daughter.
Her disgrace assumed gigantic pro-
portions; the villagers were amazed
10 think that Washoe Billy stili de-
sired 90 marry her. wnshoe Billy un-
ierstood matters better than his peo-
pie. Ta-tat never pretended 20 care
for him; Mcloxi made the match.
Even though he was q chief, the title
proved but an empty honor, and Bill
ly's numerous ponies and three guns
appealed to his covetous nature;
therefore. when Billy sued for Ia
tat's hand. Meloxi consented upon
learning that two ponies and n shot
gun would he his portion OF the we'd
ding contract. In addition, Meloxi
| possessed his quota ~ r.'cinl pride.
and never could lose his hatred for
the Piutcs. SO firmly had his father
lnstillcd In his mind the bitter details
OF the old feud existing between the
| two tribes. And To think Of Tn-tats
| profcsscd pnrtinliy to miserable
Putc more than strengthened his de-
sire for speedy marriage between
her and Washoe Billy. Ta-tat safe in
his wicl,iup. I,illy eager to claim her
ms wife. and the ponies and gun
withheld until after the ceremony
these facts prompted Meloxi to set nm
early date for his daughters we'd
| ding.
The news had apparently no effect
upon the sulky Ta-tnt. She realized
how little sympathy would he forth
coming from her people: yet she de-
| tcrmincd to he the bride Of no one
hut Horace IIop-Foot. her noble Piute
lover. Ta-tat's schooling had taught
her to read and write: she had labor
iously wadcd through n highly col
nrcd novel In her career at the In
Stitute. and from u had contracted
romantic ideas. with all Hop-Foot'i
ginring faults. she loved him mndly
ard was more than willing To re
rouncc her connection with the
Washors. especially the possibility oi
Icing bride to ugly Billy. IIop-fooi
had acquired n little learning at tn,
carson institute: he owned small
shanty down near Reno. and was the
best gambler among the Indians fol
many miles around. To he sure. HI
imbibcd freely Of fre-wntcr, but theI
that was not such grevious fault
according 20 Ta-tat's reasoning.
With the installation of the whit
mems ideas. many Of Ta-tat's super
stitions were cradicntcd. For In
stance. she thought II wise To forge
the old feud long nurscd bctweeI
Piute and Wnshoc; she also lnughe,
Mt the Washoe's tradition tina, ecrtnii
birds and beasts we're the forms ms
sumcd by good and bad spirits. Th,
magpie, for which she was named
could be either wicked woman Il
disguise. or the spirit of wise oil
man, so claimed the Washoc mcdl
cine men: but the white teacher
scofTcd nt those ideas, and Tn-ta
agreed with them.
Hop-Foot's first gift to her was
scrawny young mngpie the though
II nn appropriate token). which sh
tcndcrly cared for. and taught To sa
few words. both In the English an
Wnshoc languages. The bird. wit
the majority Of Tn-tat's belonging
Rtill reposcd in her room NJ the inst
: iutc. Mcloxi Ind allowed her scarccl
time TO gather up few necessar
garments when he rode up To III
school and abruptly carried her ava,
Now. sitting In lonely dudgeon b'
ncnth her fathers peaked roof. II
tat's mind worked actively. and si
conjurcd up mental pictures first ,
n slnyc's life with Wnshoc Billy; the
, u blissfui vision OF love in ITop-Foot
:, shaniy on the outskirts Of Rem
Prospects seemed decidedly gloon,
for the dusky maiden.
!. Great preparations were gni
h.. planned for the approaching wedding
). the feast would eclipse any preyio,
!. similar attempt since the grand la
bccuc Of thirty years ago, when 4,
4 fat horses were stolen from dane
= hall ut Washoe City, and nicely roas
:. ed ere the pnlefnccs missed them. !
Il vitations circulated freely among Il
q Carson Valley Indians. barring
4 course, the Plutcs. The orgies won
g he appropriate for the nupiinls Of
4 princess, even though that prince
g was sadly disgrnccd: still her faith
= commanded universal respect, NJ
n the Washors were only too cngcr
r. seize upon nm opportunity for b
Il tine.
81 While the preliminary arranp
q mcnts hummcd merrily along. and q
Is wedding morn but five days away, 7
% tat hit upon brilliant scheme. s
n frightened up as willing bri
l. ahould. and for the first time sin
'e her return took n decided interest
k the coming event. That nftcrnoo
'e in company with Washoe Billy, 7
tat tripped lightly over to Farm
r lannon's. Mrs. Bnnnon had nlwn
y been extremely fond Of the girl; n
" since the bride-to-be request
~ Washoc liilly's attendance. no one ,
III iected Ia the visit, and every one q
" highly pleased at the happy turn
,,' affairs.
W Mrs. i,annon and Tn-ta, carried
- a very ordinary conversation. W
w Wnshoe Billy close listener.