The Savannah morning news., 1902-05-25
Corner Broughton and Barnard Streets.

owner were taught from the very be-
ginning. A child was made to I'M
derstand that a doll, a toy, pet or
ANYTHING once given to another child,
belonged to it undisputedly. Even a
parent would not think OF appropflat-
ing a pony, dog, or anything peIollg-
ing to his child; nor would I've question
the right of the child himself to dis
pose of it, Once given to hin, IL ce-
came absolutely his property to 90
with as he chose.
Among some tribes, it was customary
to give boys a name of which they
would be ashamed when grown. This
was an incentive to the hoy to per-
form some deed that would gain Tor
him distinction, which would give hlmi
the right to choose n name for hlm-
self Neither could young man use
the fanrily totem or coat of arms, I'M
til he had proved himself worthy
member of the family to which II be-
longed Should he dare to use 1t before
he had done this, he was denounced as
a coward.
The name by which 4 boy was to Re
known as warrior or chief, was cften
revealed to him in a vision. The hoy,
at a certain age, was sent to the top
of a high mountain, where he was Ax-
pected to remain alone, fasting. until
he fell asleep and had a vision. In this
some animal or bird was supposed to
visit him and communicate to hiEl bis
future name. AS Il rule, it would be
that of the animal or bird which ap-
peared, with some attribute belonging
to it. On descending tho mountain the
boy would disclose nothing of what he
had seen and heard, but would watch
his opportunity to distinguish himself
-. t,.fp n I'M ~
honorable notice of the tribal chiefs.
He might have to wait for years for
his opportunity, but when it came, and
he had taken advantage Of it. il ga Z
him the right to reveal his name, and
to be known by it thereafter. This
fasting on the mountain alone was a
severe ordeal, and it was not all who
could stand it; but those who gave up
the fight before exhaustion brought the
vision, were looked upon rs moral
towards. They became the weak ones
of the tribe.
Scientific students OF child life to. day
are claiming that the doll may be util-
lied to great advantage by the mother
in developing certain lend ancies in her
child and correcting others. There are
savage tribes" in the southern part of
our own land where the mother, from
time immemorial, has used her child's
doll as an object lesson in moral and
religious training.
The cry is heard, from time to time,
that tine training of the Indian child
in the various schools opened for that
purpose, IS a great mistake. Facts go
to prove the contrary, however. In
parts of Pennsylvania, the students
from the Carlisle school are eagerly
sought after during the summer vaca-
ton. There, in farmers families, the
girls do the work of the house and the
boys that of the farm. In this their
traditional training stands them in
good stead and makes them thorough
ly reliable; and being devoted to chill
dren and animals. they feel themselves
defrauded if they are sent to homes
where there are no children. The re-
cord they have made from year to year
is so remarkable, that the question has
already suggested itself:
May we not look to the Indian girl
for a solution of the servant ques-
ton?