Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1910-11-17
WHAT A DOLL DID.

geant little Indian girl about five years
old.
"What have you there, sergeant ?"
1--WE were getting peep, sir, at the
devils from the bushes when this little
tot came running right into us. There
was nothing for us TO do but seize her
and clap hand over her mouth. Then,
of course, we had TO bring her with us to
prevent her cries drawing the reds after
us"
"She must be returned, but il is too
late today. Wen keep her TILL morning.
But what did you learn ?"
They've got the war paint on, and the
whole tribe is wild. There must be be-
tween two and three thousand tepeeS,
which would give them from 500 to 500
warriors"
The major turned and rode back to
camp, motioning the sergeant to ride be-
side him and continue his report of the
information he had gained. The pros
pect was not pleasant. There were not
a hundred men for duty in the fort, which,
was an old fashioned affair, and the am
muntion was low. The Indians would
undoubtedly attack and if they kept up
the siege long enough would certainly
capture the fort. The logical end of this
was a massacre OF the whole garrison,
including women and children.
Upon entering the incloSure the major
dismounted, took the Indian child in his
arms, lifted her from the horse and, TAX
ing her to his quarters, turned her over
to his wife. Then he hurried away TO
prepare for death struggle.
The little rcdskin stood Stolidly where
she was placed in the middle of the floor,
her straight hair falling in any and every
direction, her beady black eyes darting
hIther and thither. The white children
clustered around her, gaping at her as an
object OF wonder. Being perfectly quiet
she needed no attention till the shades OF
night cast a gloom about her, when her
child'S Indian stoiciSm broke down and
she began to cry.
Mrs. Hopkins endeavOred to quiet her
without effect. Little Maud Hopkins
possessed a very beautiful doll with wax
en- head and shoulders and light, fluffy
hair. Taking up this doll, her mother
placed it in the arms Of the tiny captive.
There" she said. "It you'll cease
crying you may have it to keep"
Whether or not the child understood
the words, she certainly understood the
act. She hugged the doll against her
breast, ceased weeping and soon fell
asleep.
The next morning Major Hopkins or
dered the sergeant who had captured the
child, with a dozen cavalYmen, to take
her back to the Indians. In doing so
there was a risk OF their being murdered.
But the major, believing that the loss OF
the youngster would tend to further iri-
tate the savageS, did net dare hold her.
The child mounted before the sergeant,
tightly holding her doll, looking out OF
her coal black eyes as if she would ami
hilate any one who attempted to deprive
her of it, rode out of the fort toward the
Indian village.
When the party was deserted approach
ing a body OF warriors, seizing their arms,
prepared to receive them. But when the
whites drew near and the captive was
distinguished the women set up howl
of pleasure. Then when the child was
clasped by her mother, still tightly hold
ing her white doll, every Indian in the
village crowded around TO see.
When the sergeant and his men turned
TO ride back to the fort no effort was made
TO prevent them. Soon after their depart
ure a powwow was called among the
chiefs. Their preparations were all made
TO begin the attack on the fort, and in this
incident they saw delay. The child that
had been returned was taken to the con-
clave aud set in the center OF the circle
with her doll. The Indian mother asked
permission to 90 to the fort and thank the
donor for her beautiful gift After long
discussion the request was granted.
The same evening band Of Indians
was seen approaching the fort. The
whites at first considered them as an ad-
vance guard oithe enemy coming to make
the expected attack But the redskins
came on closa under the stockade. and il
was then seen that squaw was among
them. They asked for admittance, and
the gates were thrown open. Upon en-
tering the inclosure the object OF the visit
was made known, and the squaw was
conducted TO Major Hopkins quarters.
The Indian mother acquitted herself OF
her mission, and Mrs. Hopkins invited
her TO partake OF refreshments.
The visit lasted several hours, and
when the party returned the squaw moth
er bore a message Of peace and good will
TO the Indians, including promise from
the commander of the fort that certain
wrongs should be redressed and a request
that they would return to their reSeVa-
ton. The terms were accepted, and the
redskins took off the war paint.
Thus a long war with its attendantho
rors was averted by bit Of mothehy
kindness to a child.