Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-12-11
The Daily
Short Story
THE ~BIG SMOKE"
(By T. B. Anderson


ton Just after they had built their
little four-room cabin their nearest
neighbor, a widower, died leaving
a nine-year-old boy. The kind
hearted Dacres adopted Will Clay
ton and he became one of the hap
py family circle.
Sixty days later America enter
ed the war and Neal Dacre was
one of the first to enlist Eta did
not strive to deter him from his
duty. He-%as among the first to
go over to France, and although the
cost of living and land payments
were doubly exacting Eta worked
hard to make both ends meet.
Down therei" cried little VIII
in an excited gasp one day rush
ing up to Eta who was FEEDING
the chickens and big-eyed he point
ed to a near thicket-
What is it, WHIP" she question
ed.
"One of the Indians-cut all over
and bleeding. One of our Indians,
for he wears the red topnot me
other Indians, no topknot, jumped
on him. Quick! he is grooming
and is nearly killed"
VIII piloted Eta to spot where,
bleeding profusely from dozen
wounds, was a young brave whom
she recognized as the son OF the
reservation chief.
1t took only a glance to com
prehend that the injured warrior,
weak, helpless, half insensible,
would bleed to death in few mo-
ments, If his wounds were not at
tended to. Practical, swift acting
Eta tore her apron to pieces for
bandages, sent Will to the house
for a little wagon used in the field
and within half an hour had her
patient resting in comfort on a
couch in the cabin out of danger.
1t was four miles to the reserVa-
ton and Eta at once dispatched
Will Thither with word concerning
her patient. The latter was con-
scious when an old Indian woman,
his mother, and several braves ap-
peared on horseback.
1t was some weeks later when Eft
ia received word from abroad that
in an engagement with the enemy
her husband had been shot down
and was in the hospital. He had
won a medal for exceptional bra
very, but had lost one arm. Within
short time, the advice stated, he
would be permanently invaded
and sent home.
Eta worked harder than ever.
There was plenty 20 eat, even a
surplus, but there were install
ment payments on the $50 acres
ahead which she saw no prospect
of providing for. Affairs in the dis
trict were somewhat unsettled. Ell
ia heard that the Indians were to
be removed farther away, there
was considerable grumbling on
their part over the decision, some
ugly members of the tribe had
burned down settlers barns and
Eta felt quite uneasy. VIII al
ways on the lookout for excite
ment, came rushing to the cabin
breathlessly one day:
Mother" he painted, what do
you think-trouble! The Big
Smoked"
why, what do you mean?" in
quired Eta with some trepidatiOn.
"Out in the woods, the chief and
all his great men. They were slit
ing around in a circle and smoking,
oh! so much, all the time. You
know what they call it-a council,
then a war dance, and then they
burn and kill. Mother, shut and
bar everything, maybe they'll be
here soon
mo, Will" dissented Eta, calm
ly as she could, I'VE must show no
fear and surely the great chief is
our friend We will leave every
thing open and if they come, treat
them civily."
All the same Eta was secretly
apprehensive. A big smoke" even
as the quick-witted little fellow
surmissed, usually was prelude
to an uprising of Indians. When,
two hours later, a procession of
half a dozen of the reservation
tribe led by their chief solemnly
neared the cabin and seated them
selves on the ground in a semi
circle about its rear door, Etta's
heart fiuttered and she awaited
anxiously some indication as to the
meaning of the visit.
Indian go away" spoke the
chief finally. big white chief say
too near the cities"
Yes, l have heard the Eeserva-
ton was to be moved" said Eta.
Indian no care-better game
more room. Before go, squaw and
son say chief must come and see
wild prairie flower"
you are kind" spoke Eta, and
am sorry to have such good
friends go away
Yes, very good friends. You
save sons life. The farm not paid
for YETI" he Intercepted bluntly.
why, no." admitted Eta. But
my husband is coming back from
the war and we may find some
way"
This way" announced the chief,
producing a buckskin bag. Many
ounces. 1t is a gift" and his COM
panions nodded approval.
There was $4,000 in gold dust in
the bag, Eta later ascertained,
and she was unable to induce the
chief to take it back, or any part
of it, Her hopes were high. her
heart singing all day long as she
awaited the return of her soldier
boy from France.
And one day. as she was train
ing vine in the garden. suddenly
a strong arm encircled her and a
ringing voice cried out.
Guess who7'
"Oh, Neal!" fluttered the ecstatic
Etta-"I would know those heart
70 NJ