Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-02-12

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 10 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 now.
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, moccasinej' 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 in
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 a 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 secret TO bring back the Multi
nomah prestige and power, and hints
that 1t is to know how to cook like
white people"
Does Wah-kee-nah know this? ?"
asked Mrs. Watts.
Yes, but she laughingly says she
VIII not return without Blue-Bird and
that always settles II, 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 Xix,
royal princess. We never treat
her as one though, for all we love
her so dearly, for she always wouid
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 AMI
Wahkee-nah entered, her eyes spark
ling with excitement.
20 Ma'am" she exclaimed, the
indians are coming in 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
iy land of red men, who declared
they must "see the Kernal" One or
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 Que muscular fellow broke
window picket of iron with his
Ratchet, 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 supe, j.,
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, Kill the Kernal," AMI she
quickly formed plan.
Il will bring the Kernal. but re,
member, who enters here breaks
faith with me-" she coolly informed
the leader
Nimbly she ran through the long
hallway that led to the Kernars OF.
fee, where she found the Colonel ana
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 IL on
his lips to ask If one pie was done for
him, but restrained himself as she
related her tale.
"kernal, You are to meet them.
smoke the pipe with them. Take big
long whiffs, and | will 10 the rest.
Promise me-" and Wah-kee-nah LED
the Colonel away midst protests
from his wife and friend, her strong