The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1902-06-06
TA-TAT'S Transformation.

proved an empty honor. and Billy's /
numerous ponies and three guns APP
pealed to his covetous nature; there
fore, when Billy sued for Ta-tat's hand (
Meloxi consented on learning that two
ponies and a shotgun would be his por-
ton Of the wedding contract. In add I
ton. MeloXi possesses his quota of ra-
cial pride, and never could lose his
hatred of the Piutes, 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
professed Partially to miserable
| Piute more than strengthened his de-
sire for speedy marriage between her
and Washoe Billy. Ta-tat safe in the
wickiup. Billy eager to claim her as
his wife. and the ponies and gun with
held until after the cevemony-these
facts prompted Meloxi 10 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
coming from her people; yet she de-
termined to be the bride Of no one but
Horace Hop-Foot. her noble Piute lover.
Ta-tat's schooling had taught her to
read and write; she had laboriously
waded through a highly colored novel
in her career at the institute. and from
it had contracted romantic ideas.
With all Hop-Foot's glaring faults,
she loved him madly. and was more
than willing to renounce her connec-
ton with the Washoes, especially the
possibility of being bride to that ugly
Billy. Hop-Foot had acquired a little
learning at the Carson Institute; he
owned a small shapty near Reno, and
was the best gambler among the In
dams for many miles around. To be
sure, he imbibed freely of frewater,
but then that was not such a grievous
fault, according to Ta-tats reasoning.
= With the installation of white mems
ideas, many Of Ta-tat's superstitions
were eradicated. For Instance, she
thought it wise to forget the old feud
. long nUrsed between Piute and Washoe;
she also laughed at the WashOe tradi-
e ton that certain birds and beasts were
| the forms assumed by good and bad
:. spirits. The magpie, for which she was
: named, could be either a wicked wo
e man in disguise, or the spirit of wise
:, old man. so claimed the Washoe medi-
s cine men; but the white teachers
{ scofTed at those ideas and Ta-ta
: agreed with them.
I Hop-Foot's first gift to her was q
e scrawny young magpie Che thought i
: an appropriate token which she ten
d derby cared for, and taught to say few
II words, both In the English and Washo'
: languages. The bird, with the majorit!
l. of Ta-tat's belongings, still reposed il
l. her room in the Institute. Meloxi ha,
q allowed her scarcely time to gather ~
y few necessary garments when h
* rode up to the school and abruptly car
e rled her away. Now, sitting In lionel
dudgeon beneath her fathers p9ake1
g roof, Ta-tat's mind worked actively
N and she conjured up mental pictures
E. first, OF slaves life with Washo
s Billy; then a blissful vision of love 1
lie Hop-Foot's shanty on the outskirts o
e. Reno. Prospects seemed decided
t. gloomy for the dusky maiden.
20 Great preparations were gail
a. planned for the approaching wedding
a the feast would eclipse any previou
he similar attempt since the grand barb,
81 cue of thirty years ago, when ten is
De horses were stolen from a dance ha
at Washoe City, and nicely roasted ell
IN the palefaces missed them. Invit;
h. tlons circulated freely among the Ca
lie son Valley Indians. barring, of cours
lg the Piutes. The orgies would be al
ly propriate for the nuptials of a princes
le. even though hat princess was sad
to disgraced; st;il her father commando
IS universal respect and the Washoes we
to only too eager to seize dpon an oppo
tn tunity for big time.
he While the preliminary arrangement
TX hummed merrily along, and the we
at ding morn but five days away, Tat
as hit upon a brilliant scheme. 81
of frightened up as a willing bride shout
he and for the first time since her retul
IN took a decided interest in the comm
ed event. That afternoon, in company wi
IL, Washoe Billy. Ta-tat tripped light
on over to Farmer Bannon's. Mrs. Ba
irl non had always been extremely fond
the girl; and, since the bride-to-be
lc- quested Washoe Billy's attendance,
en one objected to the visit, and everyo
IN felt highly pleased at the happy tn
ith of affairs.
ms Mrs. Bannon and Ta-tat carried
The a very ordinary conversation, wi