Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-02-12

Pick one turkey, the big rooster,
two quails and a duck. Have them
ready to hang up this evening, sure, y
commanded Mrs. Thornton.
"Pick one turkey, the big rooster,
two quails and duck. Have them
ready to hang up this evening sure,
repeated Wah-kee-nah, a roguish In
dian girl, after her mistress.
and be sure to cut the pumpkin
continued Mrs. Thornton.
:'Yes'm,' assented Wah-kee-nah,
eagerly as she left the room TO fulfil
her mission.
As the door closed after her re-
treating figure, Mrs. Thornton turned
to her neighbor, Mrs. Watts, who was
visiting her, and said in answer to
her inquiry:
We've had Wah-kee-nah ever since
she was a baby pappoose, and she
will be 16 tOmOrroW,-a day she has
been promised a treat and for which
she is preparing how.
'How did We get her, you ASK"
And Mrs. Thornton drew her chair
closer to Mrs. Watts, as if fearful of
being overheard, in the fort, located
amidst the forest and Wilds of the
pioneer days of Oregon, at which her
husband. Colonel Thornton, was sta
toned to protect the white men in
need.
'Wah-kee-nah was left on our
steps one rainy night, a mere infant
all fashioned out in Indian finery
strapped in an Indian cradle. She
was wrapped in an Indian robe Of a
texture like white swan, downy and
soft, out Of the folds of which kicked
the daintiest feet, moccasined with
beads of pearl. Under the cover of
the head Of the cradle peered wide
open eyes of softest amber, and, I'M
like most Indian babies, her hair,
black, hung fluffy about her face
making frame for the demurest and
sweetest Indian baby you ever saw
1t was so clean, too. We made i'll
quiries as to who she was, but could
never know for sure, and | assure
you we didn't try hard. Some
thought she was a babe of the Multi
nomah tribe, left by wandering
chief for our care, that she might
grow to be an Indian princess with
American habits and training"
But doesn't any one really know?"
queried Mrs. Watts, now thoroughly
interested in the girls history.
'Blue-Bird, an Indian youth, claims
he knows" answered Mrs. Thornton
Says an old chief, old and toOthless,
tells of bringing her from the SHOWS
OF Mount Hood that she might learn
the white mans ways, and return
with a secret TO bring back the Multi
nomah prestige and power, and hints
that it is to know how to cook lik-
white people"
Does Wah-kee-nah know this?"
asked Mrs. Watts.
yes, but she Iaughingly says she
will not return without Blue Bird, and
that always settles it, for Blue-Bird
wants to stay here with us-lots of
horses, you know. But you should
see Wah-kee-nah order him about
while she dishes and cooks-just like
a royal princess. We never treat
her 50 dearly, for she always would
work You should see her wash,
ankle deep in the water, bending
over, kneading the clothes with
strong, sinewy arms
Here the door latch ratified and
Wah-kee-nah entered. her eyes spark
ling with excitement.
10 che t.41z .
Indians are coming in a big dust.
They mean mischief. Want the 'Ker-
nal? Don't be 'fraid? go meet them.
You stay here" and off she darted,
leaving the women speeches..
Wah-kee-nah met the rude and bur
~ Land of red men, who declared
they must see the KernaI." One OF
their braves had died way in the
mountains, where the Kernars men
were stationed. They would have
vengeance! To emphasize their de-
mand long yells were given with
gusto, and one muscular fellow broke
a window picket of iron with his
hatchet, belonging to the fort.
Wah-kee-nah held her ground very
quietly for she wasn't bit afraid
She knew them SO we'll; of the super.
stitious awe she was held in by them
and, yes, further, that they were fas
cinated with her beauty, and she
would use her power. She heard
them say, xiii the Kernal," and she
quickly formed a plan.
4 will bring the KernaI. but, re
member, who enters here breaks
faith with me-" she coolly informed
the leader.
Nimbly she ran through the lone
hallway that led to the KernaFs of
flee, where she found the Colonel anc
the two ladies gravely consulting.
The Colonel could not help but
smile at Wah-kee-nah's appearance
daubed with pumpkin pulp in streaks
over crimson cheeks, and had it on
his lips to ask if one pie was done foI
him, but restrained himself. as she
related her tale
'Kernali You are to meet them
smoke the pipe with them. Take biz
long whiffs, and I will do the rest
Promise me-" and Wah-kee-nah lee
the Colonel away midst protests
from his wife and friend. her strone
but girlish figure appealing to hin
confidently. Wah-kee-nah and he
were great chums and her Indian In