The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-01-08
. I he Trail Of
the Good
BIZ FRANKLIN wsLLEs cALKrNs

By FHANALlA WbAAh0 OAAAANo
!4>sxssxssssWsstsHsss4s esessesseesf0
They had come out from the meet
inghouse of the new mission, where
a lately arrived missionary had been
preaching to the Oglalas in their own
tongue. The brothers, Yellow Horse
and Iron Arm. had listened to the
good mans teaching with more awe
than understanding. $500
They had led their ponies 70 q
stream, and while the animals were
drinking. Yellow Horse spoke his
thoughts.
Brother" he said, earnestly, 1t
seems that we should go to seek this
Trail Of the Good of which the
Whites One Talking has told us. !.
indeed, wish TO live as the white peo
pie and to walk in their straight
roads
Iron Arm took time for reflection
before answering. The two had led
their animals back to the grazing
ground, and had driven their piclket-
pins when the younger spoke.
st is very necessary" he said, at
ter observing that no one was with
In hearing, that we should ind the
white mans road and walk in 1t till
we are become as they are. Ho.
brother, think that this Trail Of the
Good should be found in the sacred
country which our people are talk
ing Of selling to the white ones
How, it is So" said the elder, with
conviction. "Thither will we go to
hunt for 1t. let us picket our
horses farther away, that we may
take them secretly. Hunt We for it
m secret said the White One-Talk-
ing"
They repicketed their horses, say
ing nothing further. and shortly af-l
ter midnight, having stolen away
from their mothers lodge, they set
out for the pine-covered hills, for
which the Great Fathers commits.
eioners were at that time bargaining.
This country. because of its hot
springs, its mysterious rocks and
colored earths, from which their
sacred paints were made. the Sioux
had long held as sacred ground. 1t
was q wakan, holy country, and
they did not pitch the teepee, hghs
or hume among itg hills.
At noon the brothers reached the
Miniskanskan, or mysterious springs
Of hot water, which were known to
be healing to many complaints OF
the body, and which were considered
as gifts, direct to the Sioux, of the
Most Mysterious" In the neighbnr-
hood of these springs the young men
thought that they might find the
Trail of the Good"
They were very much in earnest,
these young barbarlans. They had
for two years been penned in with
their tribe upon a reservation. Ill
the freedom of the old life cut nff
because Of their ightings. The Sioux
now knew that they must come to
the white mans way OF living. or
perish
The missionary had been sent to
instruct them in this way, and some
of the young men. seeing the many
things which their conQuerors enjoy
ed, were eager to live like them
Yellow Horse and Iron Arm had
grasped in crude way the idea of
real trail, a welldefined read. as
the strait and narrow way Of life.
They hunted in vain near the
springs for any trail save the crook
ed paths of the deer and other wild
creatures. Then they passed on. GO
Ding north near to the farther limits
Of their sacred country. Here they
came suddenly upon a white mans
road, straight across plateau.
They were elated. "Hau! haul"
they exclaimed. looking at each 9TH
er with shining eyes. This must
indeed be the Trail of the Good"
For they had understood that these
trails were In all countries. If the
seeker would patiently and with a
good heart endeavor to find such a
road for himself.
The young Sioux did not know Of
General Clusters exploring expedition
Of the year before. save from vague
report So they little dreamed that
they followed a road of the great
traikmaker. the scourge of their
people. whose impatient haste made
all roads as straight as possible.
Soon they came out of the hill
country upon the plain. and 4 seem