Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-10-27

/ / could see through the east window or
/ the shack. The dog stretched his
long yellow limbs and stared with lazy
brown eyes at me from his sleeping
place behind the stove. Then he rose
with a yawn and came over TIC lap my
toes gravely as a good morning greet.
ing.
The first little pink ripple of sun
rise was Just showing on the buttes
and pulled the dogs great head close
Up to mine that we Nigh watch to-
gether the coming Of the day. He sat
quite still and every time comment
ed on the sunrise was rewarded by
lap bestowed unfortunately on
nose, forehead or whatever part of
my face was handiest The pale glow
in the east began to tremble into
tiny ruffies of vivid rose color and a
clean sweet breath of morning came
over the hills like a Sigh The curls
of silvry vapor at the edge of the pink
sky were bordered by the paIest Law
ender and then suddenly with no more
warning gush of yellow warmth
came over the huttes and the sun had
risen. A piercingly sweet note from
some lonely meadow lark burst forth
at the moment as If at the signal OF
an orchestra conductor.
The only way in which one can keep
selfish and material and narrow in
Dakota is by never looking at sun.
rise AT this moment | felt like be-
ing charitable TO the whole world.
There was no one to take advantage
of the mood, SO | embraced the dog.
He evidently shared my unexplain-
able feeling. for he was suddenly
seized with an irresistible desire to
chase something. opened the door
and he ran out to pursue fence posts.
the waving grass and finally, his own
plumey tail. Finally he grew so ex.
uberant that he dug up two dead
prairie dogs which he had carefully
planted in the garden the day before
Then with Z wave of his tail he was
off over .ne buttes,
| BEGAN my dressing. The magic
Of the new day had made my solitary
breakfast an actual pleasure and l set
about its preparation with a song. AS
went up the ooulee for a pail of
fresh. water j heard far up the trail
the rumble of wheels The early hour
made the sound a bit surprising for
Dakotans are not as a rule early tray
elers. There may have been bit OF
trepidation in my mind for remem-
Der tripping in my haste to get back
10 lie shack and the absence of the
dog did not add to my unconeern. l
set the pail down hurriedly and came
back TO where could see farthest up
the trail. In the meantime whistled
to the dog and be came rollicking
back over the buttes At this in
S ant his ear caught the rumble OF
the wheels and his head went up to
listen while he growled low. l dragged
him into the shack by his collar while
he protested vigorously every inch of
our progress.
From under the curtain peered up
the trail as far as my eye could see,
and in a few seconds a wagon came in
sight followed ty several vehicles Of
various descrip ions. Plaid shawls and
bright blankets proclaimed the fact
that our early morning travellers were
Indians. The wagons and buggies
held the squaws and older braves
while the youths were mounted on
sturdy ponies and trailed alongside
AS they drew closer TO the shack
could see plainly the tiny faces of the
papooses with their lttle eyes like
black shoe buttons, peering over the
shoulders of their mothers.
AS sat looking at them figure on
horseback flashed past the window, so
close to me that | drew back quickly
to avoid his counter observation. 1t
was young brave and he was hot on
the trail of three stray mounts which
had veered off from the party on re-
connoitering expedition of their own.
He circled skillfully over my fire
break, lasso held high above his head
and stream OF lurid profanity flow
ing from his lips.
In my excitement | had forgotten
the dog. AS the young Indian gal
loped wildly around the shack the
dog could endure 1t no longer. The
door OF the shack stood slightly
ajar and before realized it, he
gave it push with his nose and
frantic shove with bis great paw and
with one hoarse cennonade of barks
was ont into freedom. The storm 5f
curses outside ceased suddenly while
the Indians galloped ON
Now the dog reioieed In a Sioux
name which had been bestowed upon
him by teacher in the Indian school
at Chamberlain. He was big fell
low collie with wistful, brown eyes,
hence she had christened him "Zizi."
meaning in the Sioux yernacular
thou yellow one As he sped out
after the young Indian and bis strays
rushed to the door and called quick
iy:
"Zizi, come back, Zizli'
Just at this moment a wagon, It's
seats filled with greasy, bright eyed
squaws was passing. Az I set up my
shout 10 the dog all Of the dark faces
were turned toward me for an instant
and as the indian syllables fell upon
their ears the whole party showed
white teeth in quick smile. The
dog refused 10 come and I called
,1,gr ~ .he- r4y. ofs IN, 1a..y,as