The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1911-09-14
A DOLL
By DELLA TREVOR
Copy Aght, 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 his scouts ap-
preaching. rode out to meet. them. As
they approached he saw riding. before
the sergeants q little Indian girl about
five years old
What have you there, sergeantr'
I'VE were getting peep. sir. at the
devils from the bushes whera this it,
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 us"
"She must be returned, but it is too
late today. Wen keep her till morn
inc. But what did you learnY'
They've got the war paint on, and
1.-THE whole tribe Is wild. There must
he between two and three thousand
tepees, which would give them from
500 to 800 warriors"
The major turned and rode back to
camp. motiontng the sergeant to ride
beside him and continue his report OF
the information he had gained. The
prospect was not pleasant. There were
mot hundred men for duty in the
fort. which was an old fashioned at.
flair. and the ammunition was low.
The Indians would undoubtedly attack
and If they kept up the siege long
ienough would certainly capture thu
fort. The logical end Of this was q
massacre Of the whole garrison, In.
Guiding women and children.
!, Upon entering the Enclosure 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 be
hurried away to prepare for death
struggle.
The little redskin stood stolidly
where she was placed in the middle OF
the floor, her straight hair falling IL
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
might 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 Hop
kins possessed very beautiful doll
with waxen head and shoulders and
light, fluffy hair. Taking up this doll,
her mother placed 1t in the arms OF
the tiny captive. -"s'~~s-''~ ""'r''sa-.s-
There" she said. III you'll cease
crying you may have it 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. ~-r-"..s~"'ss.'>'-
The next morning Major Hopkins
ordered the sergeant who had captured
the child with a dozen cavalrymen, to
take her back to the Indians. In doing
Iso there was a risk Of their being .mur'
dered. But the major. believing that
the loss of the youngster would tend
to further irritate the savages. did not
dare bold her. The child mounted be-
fore the sergeant, tightly holding hel
doll. looking out Of her coal black eyes
as If she would annihilate any one
who attempted to deprive her Of 1t,
rode out of the fort toward the Indian
village.
When the party was deserted ap'
Iproaching 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 howl Of pleasure. Then
when the child was clasped by her
mother, still tightly holding her white
doll. every Indian in the village crowd
led 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 departure powwow was
called among the chiefs. Their prep
arations were all made to begin the
attack on the fort, and in this incident
they saw delay. The child that mad
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 60 to the
fort and thank the donor for her beau
dful gift. AFTER a 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
advance guard of the enemy coming to
make the expected attack. But the
redskins came on close under the
'stockade, and it was then seen that 8
souaw 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
I