The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1910-11-05
A DOLL
By DELLA TREVOR
Cop, fight. 1910. by American Press
Association.

This story illustrates how much more
powerful is kindness than brute force.
Major Hopkins. commanding Fort
-. garrisoned BY two companies Of
cavalry. seeing some of bis scouts ap-
preaching. rude out to meet them. As
they approached he saw riding before
the sergeants little Indian girl about
Eve years old
what have you there. sergeant"
I'VE were getting peep. sir. at the
devils from the bushes when this lit
tie tot came running right into US.
There was nothing for us to do but
seize her and clap a hand over her
mouth. Then. Of course. we had to
bring her with us to prevent her cries
drawing the reds after W"
She must be returned. but 1t Is too
late today. Well keep her till morn
Ing But what did you learn
They've got the war paint on. and
the whole tribe Is wild. There must
be between two and three thousand
tepees. which would give them from
800 to 800 warriors"
The major turned and rode back to
camp. motiOning the sergeant to ride
beside him and continue his report OF
the Information he had gained. The
prospect was not pleasant. There were
not hundred men for duty In the
fort. which was an old fashioned af.
Sat. A4 lnvv
The ILdians would undoubtedly attack
and II they kept up the siege long
enough would certainly capture the
fort The logical end Of this was
massacre of the whole garrison. In
Guiding women and children.
Upon entering the Enclosure the
major dismounted. took the Indian
child in bis arms. lifted her from the
horse and. taking her to his quarters.
turned her over to his wife. Then he
hurried away to prepare for death
struggle.
The little redskin stood stolidly
where she was placed In the middle Of
the door. her straight hair falling In
any and every direction. her beady
black eyes darling hither and thither.
The white children clustered around
her. gaping at her as an object of
wonder being perfectly quiet. she
needed no attention TIL the shades of
night cost a gloom about her. when
her chiid's indian stolcism broke down
and she began to cry.
Mrs. Hopkins endeavored to quiet
her without effect. Little Maud Hop
kins possessed very beautiful doll
with waxen 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. ST you'll cease
crying you may have 1t to keep"
Whether or not the child understood
the words. she certainly understood
the act. She Rugged the doll against
her breast. ceased weeping and soon
fell asleep.
The next morning Major Hopkins
ordered the sergeant who had captured
the child. with dozen cavalry men. to
take her back to the Indians. In doing
SO there was risk of their being muir
dered But the major. believing that
the loss of the youngster would tend
to further irritate the savages. did not
dare hold her. The child mounted be-
fore the sergeant. tightly holding her
doll. looking out of her coal black eyes
as II she would annIhilate any one
who attempted TO deprive her Of 1t.
rode out Of the fort toward the Indian
vilInge.
When the party was deserted ap-
preaching body of warriors. seizing
their arms. prepared to receive them
But when the whites drew near and
the captive was distinguished the wo-.
men set up II howl of pleasure. Then
when the child was clasped by her
mother. still tightly holding her white
doll. every Indian In the village crowd
I'd around to see.
When the sergeant and his mep
turned to ride back to the fort no
effort was made to prevent them. Soon
after their departure a powwow was
called among the chiefs. Their prep
aratlOns were all mnde to begin the
| attack on the fort. and In this incident
they snw delay. The child that had
been returned was taken to the con
clave and set In the center Of the
circle with her doll. The Indian
mother asked permission to go to the
fort and thank the donor for her beau
tifui gift. After a long discussion the
| request was granted.
The same evening band of Indinns
was seen approaching the fort. The
| whites Mt first considered them as an
advance guard of the enemy coming to
make the expected attack. But the
i redskins came on close under the
stockade. and 1t was then seen that u
Equaw was among them. They asked
for ndmittance. and the gates were
thrown open. Upon entering the in
closure The object of the visit was