The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1903-12-10

Co...
stir- up . hornets nest unless you'ro
hunting kouble," - answered evaslvo.
y.
This was in early summer. when the
prairie grass wnS green and the wild
Strawberries white with bloom The
sequel to the story came when the sky
was rose and turquoise above the har-
vest Held, and the corn Haunting itG
tassels In the breeze.
An illness had broken out among the
Indians ct White Whale Lake, . dead
" illness. First chill seemed to
strike to the heart Of the victim. then
fever to burn and burn-then tho
end. It was enough to alright the
POnoka reserve when the word went
abroad that Young Bear had. been
stricken. The Indian is almost invari-
ably q coward of disease. There, was
fitting. Young Bear laid him down
on his bed Of boughs one soft August
day when the sun was hot and the
trees smelling Of pitch and balsam. He
woke after what seemed to him Q long
sleep. He was lying fiat on the warm
earth, and about him reigned great
stiffness. He looked around languidly.
Where were the tepees? Where were
his people? The corn, green when he
had seen 1t last. was golden. The grass
was sere and withered.
'sWat0na." he called weakly; "Wa-
tona, the tall and fleet-footed!"
The old medicine man sitting beside
him smiled srimly. Sleep. mysssen.'
he said; '.the 1leet-footed does not
hear" 8
He slept The gray and purple Of the
autumn night was on the world when
he awoke. He was hungry, he was
thirsty. '.Watona!" he called again.
Some one came to him in the dusk,
lifted him easily-as easily as Lala
used to lift the little one carried him
to the lodge, laid him on his bed Of
boughs, gave him to eat and drink.
Thou art too good to him. he heard
the old medicine man say modify.
Twelve nights you have watched be-
side him, IL days you have carried
him forth that the hot earth might
steal his fever, thought only of him.
the unfaithful. Go to your rest"
He is my man." Patient was Lala's
faca with the bitterness all faded. pa
tient her voice, but stubborn.
my man, my place is here
Then the sick man spoke. ''Lala's
place is here But why is 1t SO still?
Where are the others?"
Eat the word fever they fed" It
waa the medicine man that answered.
"Aa save Lala, Watona and m4Welf..
This was at sunset, at daybreak Wa
tona followed In hot haste. ~ ID iiS
'Send what was i hers after her, %
commanded Young Bear; "she comes
NOT here again ss .s9.f ISL.
sNever fear, she has taken all that
wa her own, and most Of what was
thiae." The medicine man had NJ mo-
ttoa OF sparing Young Bear. Wa not
La;a the medicine mans own cousin1
She has robbed Lala Of all, ALL"
Mot ALL The sick man was FUN.
blag about his neck in search of some-
thing. He drew forth . string on which
was suspended q great brass ring set
with red stones.
1T is yours. Lala," he said. II put
1t not on her finger. ] thought To. but
I could not
Che big, patient face softened into
positive beauty. She huddled closs to
him.
'tTfere Is another thing she bore not
away" and she drew from her bosom
tho scarlet and blue bit Of silk. II
took It from her by force ere sho left.
I want it," proudly yet bashfully. Ito
wrap about the little one that will
sleep in our cradle ere the snow files
thu child and mine, beloved
1T was well done, good Lala," said
Young Bear, and smiled. well content.
Canadian Magazine.