The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1912-05-23

W1S C@H way winding down the barren llllsldes I
W = = ! : ]" 8. !" !. !. :: :: :: :.
S@&4&Su the oasis OF the Mission Turning, Ii
&4&I called over his shoulder laneud maj
MA AWE leaning against the counter within Tn
IAH&H store.
IT9 "Alexee come here Look what's com
0HSA ! ing down the road y
At the sound of his voice there
u1mmHG general scramble from the long aisle tha
iran the length OF the building, with much laughter
and swearing as the squeezed by each othe
through the entrance way. 1t was dusk; las
faint eimmer OF day lay the great peaks to tht
west; bats swooped into the faces OF the group abou
the proprietor. Aexee, who never lost an opportunity
10 lean upon something shifted his bulk against
wooden prop OF the porch. HIS eyes followed uiS
"Dsts queer wagon, eh? ?" he said. Then he laughed
delightedy "Ha-ha-ha Dats not much OF horse
See, his laigs all go different ways at de same time
Seem like dose wheels try 60 like de horses laigs
and de horses laigs try go like de wheels, eh
Low chuckles followed this attempt at wit 49,
"A queer-looking girl unused the storekeeper. I've
her round these parts before Where do
you suppose they hail from|
"The old one" drawled Alexee, 'looks like she live
one hundred year old enough to t. your mother eh,
Sam?" He gave the store dig in the ribs lhs
was greeted by subdued- applause. Antoine Pablo took
s.MsybeS he said Sdey goin' take up land here Dis
reservation don belong de Injun desc valley any
longair"
The horse, which was an DID, discarded government
mule wobbled the rickety wooden cart TO the front
OF the building Sam Hoffman advanced smilingly upon
the two occupants You want to buy something
he asked A pause followed, during which the girl
looked wstfully toward her audience.
we like something to eat" she said, with soft,
unfamiliar Bud we got no money. We come
long way; my grandmother is old and hungry. ike
something for the mule also. You think l sing TOR
these gentemens and dance a hddle to ged those
moneys?
A Stir of interest went through the group Although
this year OF the opening OF the reservation had brought
many and strange scenes none had been so weird
this. Such old women, wrnkied and drty, were
not unfamiliar figures on the landscape, but girL
dark faced girl. moccasned girl. who offered TO
sing and dance for money was as unheard OF as the
pyramids OF Egypt 9he swung heTsen 10 he gr9pna h+
flashed her and teeth upon the group raised her
arms above her head for balance touched her supple
toes to the earth, and whird about. 1t was dance
OF wildness dance to appeal to the OF these
primitive people intangible and Elusive its charm,
il had in il the grace OF creature unnamed.
The OF the entertainment spread to the sur
rounding cabins Soon she encirced by stohd
Indian audience. 1t the day before .-6 celebra-
tion Of the feast of St gnatus and the inhabitants
of the valley had come from all parts to the Mission
In every Indian there IS a sense OF the dramatic,
& love Of mystery, and the climax OF every gesture
cf this strange maiden fascinated the men as the
arlfathomable secretiveness of her eyes held them
They placed their spare coin in her outsretched hand
However, the women were not SO easily won over.
They looked askance al her and offered the
gers shelter for the night
i like someone tell good place Tor tent, the
sgung girl said smiling 4 god a tent Tor tonight
se someone 10 be kind to tell me the best place
AleNee and Antoine Wed with each other IN picking
ii the most level green spot by the mountain
aey far as 10 help her TO raise the cam
vas and essayed conversation while She cooked the food
'Yoa qon' to dat church tomorrow
She laughted first and then froNned. Ne cannod
60 have nod such pretty clothes All those women
Antoine looked her over How you like yellow
shawl silk with de fringe You 60 to de church
when YOU yellow shawl She jumped 10 her
feet and capped her hands in delight, swring an
imaginary garment about her.
1uiteray and | like look like butterfly
Antoine made the purchase just before sam closed
fot the night lie brought IL 70 her early the next