The Colfax chronicle., 1903-05-09
Si-Aw-Eeta
copyrighs, isos. By Daily Story Pub. Co.

The short October day was ending
as 1t had begun. with heavy mist en-
veloping the little cove and the base
of the fr-clad mountains that rose
nearly straight up from the ocean and
left only a narrow beach above tide
line where the cluster of rude frame
buildings and huts found foothold. To.
ward the sea chain of high rocks
nearly shut the entrance to the little
harbor, and kept back the swell of
the Pacific. 1t was one of the innumer-
able but ever varying and beautiful in
lets that break into the mountainous
coast stretching thousand miles from
Skagwsy to Seattle, and in this minia-
ture harbor the "A. T." company had
established the salmon and halibut
fishery that furnished employment for
the Indians and Cinnamon who formed
the settlement.
Si-aw-eeta, who sat in her fathers
hut making trinket boxes of hair seal
with beaded covers, wondered where
all the people lived who could eat so
many salmon as the company's ships
carried away to the southwark. The
land that lay beyond the islands to-
ward the ocean was to her destina-
ton full OF mystery, for her only jour-
ney had been to Juneau, whittier one
spring she steered the canoe for her
father, Chekan, who went to sell his
winters catch of furs. The Thlingit
chief was above common labor at the
cannery, and, despite the innovations
OF paper money, rubber boots, wooden
jackets and the like, so popular among
the younger of the tribe, he clung to
the primitive customs and pursuits of
his fathers. He was a man of pride
and cunning, prodigous hunter, and
was accordingly looked up TO by his
people, excepting the younger bucks
who ridiculed his ancient habits and
regarded contemptuously his avarice
for Chekan had one master passion,
the desire for money. He never was
known to spend penny with the
evening idlers at the company store.
-Four bells sounded from the big
steamer that lay at the company's
dock, where the last of the seasons
salmon catch was being loaded into
the hold. At the sound of the supper
call Si-aw-eeta dropped the fur seal and
the beads, and closed the door of the
hut. for she knew that Chow Fang.
who was the sub-boss at the cannery,
would presently be coming, and that |
he would stop at the door if he found |
1t open. And perhaps he would open |
1t IL he found it shut. He was growing
bold with his love-making. The girl |
knew that in the four years Fang had |
worked for the "a. T." company he had
laid by much money. With the intui-
tion of the deer on the mountain side
as 1t follows the snow line, she knew
that Fang had offered to Chekan a
larger sum than any Indian lover
could pay for her. Melancholy settled
upon her face at the thought. What
would become of her should she be
compelled to turn away from Joe
Bear, who was so handsome and brave,
who despised the fishers, even if he
failed to get so much money for his
pelts as Fang earned at the cannery
every year? All, how she loved Joe
Bear. And the Chinaman was so ugly:
he couldn't shoot a carriboo-he
couldn't kill anything except fish.
What could her father carve in the big
totem pole that would add glory to the
family name after she married Fang?
Joe Bears canoe, of graceful model. !
sharp at Prov and stern, single piece
cut from red cedar log, glided upon
the beach at the side of the hut, and
Joe stepped ashore, knocked lightly at
the door and entered. He tossed a
white mountain goat skin at her feet,
and peered earnestly through the
of the hut. Even his stern ,
lace chased the sadness from hers. :
'Chinee, he give you red salmon. .
BRING you dis-the day before brung !
'ou brown bear. Who love you most, :
llways?" :
He stood erect, folded his arms and :
yrzed at her with pride and affection. :
Tie girl put her arms up around the =
'rawny Indians neck, and laid her face
Igainst his broad chest. /"
"Chekan, he coming down the noun .
ain-I must go away. Chekan, mad at =
ne. Him swear at me. Remember. =
rho loves you most. Me, Joe Bear" =
Ind, returning the girls embrace, he 4
ras gone.
She had barely time to replenish the "
re when the door of the hut opened 8,
gain, and Fang's almond eyes peered .
.. then his burly form entered. and v
e deposited on the floor bucket con- 8
aiming two magnificent king salmon. n
he pick Of the days catch at the can a
cry. n
"Sli-o-weeta. she my nice girl-vellv a,
lefty girl. l mally you now-no? D,
ely well; then we mally pIetty soon" ],
"No-no--no," exclaimed the girl. di
"You not lika me-yes. Sli-o-weeta k,
ucha lika Fang. Il no Siwash. Joe. w
: no good" continued the Chinaman n
rossly, 'your fadder not let him W
ally you. ] mally you Tomorrow gi
D? Then velly pletty soon" He il,
rinned and concluded: "Your fadder w,
y yes" and backed out of the hut. nj
he girl sank upon the goat skin and ali
,bbed- dr.
Ooo THINGS WE HAVE MISSED.