The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-08-26
A Doll.
By DELLA TREVOR
cops right. 1910 by American Press
Association.
By DELLA TREVOR

myalry. seeing some OF his scouts 40.
preaching, rode out to meet them. AZ
hey approached he saw riding before
the sergeants a little Indian girl about
ave years old.
What have you there. sergeant?"
we 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 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 1t Is too
late today. Wen keep her till morn.
Ing. But what did you learnYp
They've got the war paint on. and
the whole tribe IS wild. There must
DC between two and three thousand
lepees, which would give them from
500 to 500 warriors"
The major turned and rode back to
camp, motlonlng the sergeant to ride
beside him and continue bis report OF
the information he had gnined. The
prospect wns not pleasant. There were
not hundred men for duty IN the
fort. which was an old fashioned af-
fair. and the ammunition was low.
The Indians would undoubtedly attack
and II they kept up the siege long
enough would certainly capture the
fort. The logical end Of this was a
massacre OF the whole garrison. in
GLIDING women and children.
Upon entering the inclosure the
major dIsmounted. took the Indian
child in his 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 a death
struggle.
The little redskln 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 TIL the shades Of
night cast a gloom about her. when
her chlld's Indian stoicism broke down
and she began to cry.
Mrs. Hopkins ende tsored to quiet
her without effect. Little Maud Hop
kins possessed d very beautiful doll
with waxen head aud shoulders and
light. fluffy hair. Taking up this doll.
her mother placed 1t in the arms OF
the tiny captive.
There" she said. III youIl cease
crying you may have II 10 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 a dozen cayalrymen. to
take her back to the Indians. In doing
SO there was a risk of their being muir
dered. But the major. believing that
the loss of the youngster would tend
10 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 If she would annihilate any one
who attempted 10 deprive her OF i.
rode out Of the fort toward the Indian
village
When the party was deserted APP
preaching a body Of warriors seizlng
their arms, prepared to receive them.
But when the whites drew near and
the captive was distinguished the wo-
men set up howl OF pleasure. Then
when the child was clasped by her
mother, still tightly holding her white
doll, every Indian in the village crowd
ed around TO see.
when the sergeant and bis men
turned to ride back to the fort no
effort was made to prevent them. Soon
after their departure powwow was
called among the chiefs. Their prep
arations were all made to begin the
attack on the fort, and In this incldenl
they saw 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 70 the
fort and thank the donor for her beau
tiful gift After a long discussion the
request was granted.
The same evening band OF lndlaus
was seen approaching the fort. Inc
whites at first considered them as an
advance guard of the enemy coming to
make the expected attack. But the
redskins came on close under the
blockade. and it was then seen that
.ouaw was among them. they asked
for admittance, and the gates were
thrown open. Upon entering the IN
closure the object Of the VISIT was
made known. and the squaw was con
dueted 10 Major Hopkins quarters
The Indian mother acquitted herselr OF
her mission. and Mrs. Hopkins inVleeo
her to partake Of refreshments
The visit lasted several hours ana
when the party returned the squaw
sother bore a message Of peace ana
rood win 70 the Indians. including
promise from the commander 81 the
fort that certain wrongs should pe
redressed and request that they
would return to their reservation. Inc
terms we're accepted. and the redskins
took OF the war paint.
thus long war with its attendant
".