The Columbus journal., 1911-02-22
WIT OF THE indian
The 0ignified Red Man Has a
Keen Sense Of Humor.
STORIES OF STANDING BEAR.

Mirror-An Invisible Bridge.
The impression prevails widely that
the Indian lacks the saving sense Of
humor-''that most characteristic of
all American qualities" To the Gre
atins and the spreading Of this I'M
preston many recognizable traits Of
Indian character have indisputably
contributed-his ancestral pride. his
exclusiveness. his gravity Of face and
dignity of manner in public.
Nevertheless an injustice is done
him. for among no primitive peoples
IS the sense Of humor keener or more
spontaneous and kindly.
Years ago I was conversing with a
group Of children Of the Omaha tribe.
They were on their way to a reserva-
ton school. and directly in their path
lay swamp an eighth Of a mile
wide. and straight through this they
were required to wade twice day.
1T is too bad" I remarked. Can
you not go around the swamp? Your
feet will be wet, and you will be un.
comfortable and possibly ILL.,
"Oh," cried a girl Of about twelve
years, her dark eyes dancing with
merriment, I'VE walk over the 81 200
bridge"
They all laughed at this. What
could It mean? saw no bridge: there
was no bridge to be seen. 1t made
them merry to see me mystified. and
heard them laughing and chatting
as they went through the water and
mud Afterward I discovered the hu-
NOR in the remark. Some years pre-
vious to that time the government had
appropriated 1900 to build a bridge
over this swamp. but somehow the
money had vanished into somebody's
pocket and the work was not done.
One evening I saw 4 gallant young
brave making his way swiftly over
the prairies Of the Omaha reserve.
He was dressed in all his finery. and
ut his side dangled small mirror.
Manifestly he was an ardent lover.
This I should have surmised from his
dress and eager haste. even il I had
not known him. As lie was friend
Of mine. l had inside information Of
his hopes and purposes: also ] ven
tured to stop him for moment. pre-
cious as knew him time To be-
THAT mirror Mt your side" I re.
marked. rs to give opportunity for
Prairie Flower to discover how lovely
che s. SC & II
moment. and then, with a twinkling
eye. he replied:
NO. Maybe so she will talk too
much TO me. and then will look into
my mirror to see how tired I am
This certainly was the humOr of alb
surdity.
Examples Of Standing Bears humor
I could give almost without number.
During the trial Of his case before
Judge Dundy the contention If the
government attorney was that an In
dian is not a person within the mean
ing Of the law. This puzzled the old
chief greatly. 1t also amused him.
One day ut my table he was visor-
ously plying a knife and fork when
suddenly he paused in his eating. lift
cd up his hands, and, humorous
smile lighting up his noble. storm
Scared face. he remarked: 1.-The atiOr-
neys say l am not n person. But
can use knife and fork. Does a bear
do that: II he. the attorney. IS a per-
son l am one also. We both eat with
knives and forks. Indeed. l think I
can use them faster than he can II
he wants 10 race me eating I am
ready" We all laughed mt this. When
we were quiet Standing Bear added.
That is. will run an eating race
with the attorney il he will pay for
the bcefsteak"
The first public address Standing
Rear ever made was given in my
church. In the course Of II while he
was pleading for assistance he address,
cd various classes of people present.
the men. the women. the clergy. the
business men. the children When he
was pleading with the women he said:
Il appeal To you because you are brave
and patient. Whenever you have any
1t is done" This was gallant senti-
mcnt worthy Of chief But Frank
la Fleschc. who was interpreting. rem
dcrcd the sentence thus: You women
nrc patient. When there Is anything
hard TO lie done VIC men let you do it,
This was S" true to Indian custom
that the audience laughed.
Standing Bear was puzzled. As he
stood silent n moment wondering what
mistake he had made Bright Eyes. the
beautiful Omaha maiden. stepped for
Tard AMI said. My brother Frank
has made mistake in interpreting the
chiefs thought" Then she gave the |
proper rendering.
The Chicago papers took liberties
with Standing Bears name, one of |
them referring to him constantly a.
Upright Bruin. When this was ex.
planned to the chief he took the matter
with great good nature.
what does it matter:" he remarked,
his face beaming. Il am all tied up
With names. I am like a pony tangled
In his lariat. Father Hamilton. the
calls me elder. The
clergyman calls me ward
IN. For I am an officer in the little
,hurch in our village. where both these
eood men preach. And now the papers
all me-what is II? Yes. Bruin. No
natter. The judge In Omaha says !
I'm person. and that satisfies NEE
ROuf thorn work~so L