Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1914-07-31

/ lifted the Dap and peered within,
clearing a view for Miss Hartman.
"We beheld circle Of half naked
braves in full regalia, squatting
haunch to haunch, listening to story |
teller. In front Of them was con-
fusion of blackened pals and vessels
nlled with something steaming, into
which they dipped their naked fingers.
Their faces were streaked and foul
with traces of the dish; the air Of the
place was dead and reeking from their
breaths. My eyes were slower than
Alicia's, and so did not distinguish
our quarry at first, although slow
! sigh at my ear and a conclusive clutch
at my arm told me that he was there.
"And then /, too, saw him. 1t was he
| who was talking and to whom the 9TH
ers listened, but what a change two
years had wrought! His voice was
harsh; his face through the painted
daubs and streaks was coarser and
duller than when knew him; his very
body was more thin and shrunken than
in the past.
"He finished his tale while we were
staring at him, the circle broke into
commendatory grunts, and he smiled
| in childlike satisfaction at the Inn
preston he had made. He leaned for
ward and, scrutinizing the litter of
sooty pots, plunged his hand into the
mess.
Miss Hartman stumbled back into
the crowd a pace or two, and her
place was taken by a squaw.
Running ElkT I caued over the
heads of those next the entrance, and,
seeing my face against the night. he
arose and came out. stepping over the
others.
"'How do you dor l said. You
haven't forgotten me, have your
"He lowered head and shoulders
above me, his feather headdress add
ing to his stature, the beaded patterns
of his war harness bright in the light.
"'No, no! l will never forget you.
doctor. You-you have been sick?'
The change in his speech was as
marked as in his body and habits. He
halted over his words and mouthed
them heS1tat1ngly.
Eyes, pretty sick. And you-what
are you doingY
"T do what the rest do said he
nothing. 1 have some horses and a
few head Of cattle; that is ALL
care you satisfied with that sort of
HEP I demanded sharply, at which
he hesitated an instant before answer
ing.
eyes, / am satisfied. 1 am an In
dian
land so your education didn't do
you any good after all?
This time he paused long while
before answering
81 have dreams, said he, many
dreams But / am Sioux, and you
told me that dreams are out Of place
in an Indian. so l hope to forget them
along with all the rest
"A woman's voice which | did not
recognize called to me sharply. and as
| went Running Elk bowed his head
and skunk back through the tepee
door into. the heart of his people-into
the past-and with him went my ex-
pertinent. Since then have never
meddled with the gods or given them
cause to laugh at me-"
what became Of him?' inquired.
That was he / asked about the horse
races, the man whom you couldn't un.
derstand. the fellow who wouldn't talk
to you" the old man answered.
Good Lordr said l.
why don't you ask about the girl r.
! said he. Haven't you any sympathy
: for herr"
: mot much,' | replied slowly, "fol
) her course was obvious. seem to see
: more pathetic figure by far. It is
; that Of youth from whose eyes the
bandages of tradition and training
and heredity had been suddenly whip
ped-a youth forced out from the
3 darkness of all the ages into daz
) cling. incomprehensible world. seen
> to see him, awestruck and timid, crop
ing forward till he laid his hand upon
!. still more miraculous thing. but 6
real and tangible thing which he
could understand and which made q
god of him. Then see that thing
snatched away and see his only guide
: desert him. leaving him utterly naked
], and alone In the center Of universe
: which had no place for him. Can you
q wonder that he went back whence he
: had come. where he hail fitted in,
r where he understood and was under
q stood?"
Then you don't think my expert
; ment failed. after alp inquired the
]. doctor.
a "You haven't proved that it did,"
rnaint:.,.cds -:..fcS -xcnI2- - T.. - dors