The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-12-18
The Story of Black Coyote
B

'NNN CoNVte was an OtOc lndlan,
raised among his people Just over
the Kansas line from the Usage
nation. Little is known OF hIs an
cestry except that his parents wero
proud fullbloods, and that his father
was one OF the influential men OF
the tribe.
The son had been raised strictly
under the rigid instruction OF his
unfolding father who constantly
impressed on him the imperative
duty OF maintaining the lofty ana
noble standards set by his eminent
forefathers.
u was only a natural consequence
or this prideful parental training
tnat black Coyote should, as he
grew older. become prominent
rgure among his people, and fur
thor that this prominence should be
enhanced because of his dis
unguished ancestry. 1t was equally
"a natural consequence that he
should be brought up believing inn
pbcitly In and worshipping the
Great Spirit which had protected
MS forefathers in peace and In war,
and that he should cling tenacious
~ and with typical stocism to the
traditions and customs OF his peo.
pie.
But there came n day when his
father, advanced in years and at
last realizing that the white mans
march OF progress into the frontier
wilderness could not be stopped, de-
cldtd his son should be given edu-
cauonal advantages which would fit
MN Tor the new but unwelcome era
when the English language should
N n lNA
perhaps In the tribal councils, and
the white mans customs and man.
ners should prevail in the beloved
land where shaggy buffaloes once
roam6sl at will.
so Black Coyote was sent TO Car
isle. there TO be educated for tho
new life. He was graduated with
honors that from his viewpoint were
empty. For although he was un-
unusually intelligent and mastered
MS studies easily. he regarded his
school days only as a necessary evil.
He felt. rather than knew, that he
did nots want an education along
lines laid down by the white man.
His ancestors did not attend Car
Isle. he reasoned, and yet they pos
sessed both brains and brawn. But
so long as he had been sent to
school with the admonition from
his father to make good" he ex-
pected to carry out this instruction
During those dull, drab days In
the life OF Black Coyote ne was al
most n recluse. ~ He made no at
tempt to acquire friends-those few
schoolmates who considered them
selves his associates became such OF
their own volition. He talked but
little and exhibited marked re-
luctance In assuming the white
mans manners. Most Of his time
outside OF school hours was spent
in the seclusion Of his room. where
his books were his closest COM
panions.
This story actually opens with the
return OF Black Coyote from Car
Isle. When he stepped off of the
train and, figuratively speaking, in
to the arms of his aged father, there
was little resemblance to the Black
Coyote that that had mounted the
platform when he. started for
school.
His clothing was perfectly
latest style his bronze face as
smooth as that OF a child and his
raven black hair trimmed accord
ing to the latest decrees OF college
fashion.
Although Black Coyote had not
accepted the white mans unsought
standards with alacrity, he had
nevertheless assumed them wholly
during his association with others
of his race who were attending Car
isle. and the picture he presented
on his homecoming was not an un-
inviting one.
Some persons may claim that
Black Coyote was an anomaly-that
he was the exception and not tho
rule. G.. X. Chesterton would claim
this case substantiated his theory
that civilization. IN effect. is "only
skin deep" But the fact remins
that within three months after
Black Coyote had returned from
Carlisle wearing clothing OF the lat
est cut and style. and bearing the
unmistakable signs of regular visits
to the barber shop, he had dis
carded the garb made by white men
and -had donned the garments OF
his uncivillzed ancestors.
Patent leather shoes were re