The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-12-24
CHAPTER XIII
The Indian Celebration


1t was three or four days later that
news came that the Levine bill had
passed. II was a compromise bill as
John had intimated IL would be to the
half breeds in the woods. Only the
mixed bloods could sell their lands.
Nevertheless there was great rejoicing
in Lake City. Plans were begun i'm
mediately for Fourth of July cele-
bration upon the reservation. Kent to
his lasting regret missed the celebra-
ton. Immediately after school closed
he had gone into Levine's office and
had been sent to inspect Levine's hold
ings in the northern part of the state.
Levine returned the last week In
June and took charge of the prepare
tons. Amos, who never had been on
the reservation, planned to 60 and
Levine rented an automobile and in
vited Lydia, Amos, Billy Norton and
Lizzie to accompany him.
As they neared the reservation John
halted the car.
On all sides but one were pine
woods. The one side was bordered by
a little lake, motionless under the July
sun. On the edge of the pines were
set dozens Of tents and birch-bark
wick-i-ups. In the center of the
meadow was huge fagpole from
which dropped the Stars and Stripes.
Already the meadow was literally
dotted with sightseers of whom there
seemed to be as many Indians as
whites.
isn't 1t great ~ cried Lydia. what
do we do firstT
well" said Levine, "Pm free until
three o'clock, when the speeches be-
GIN There'll be all sorts of Indian
games going until then"
"This Is just a celebration and moth
ing else, John. isn't itT' asked Amos
That's ALL" replied Levine. I'VE
thought it was good way to jolly the
Indians. At the same time 1t gave
| folks reason for coming up here and
seeing what we were fighting for and,
, last and not least, it was the Indian
agents chance to come gracefully
over on our side He's done more of
/ the dCludl WOIk VI 6OttAhS SAAS S~AS
bration going than have"
81 wonder whyT asked Billy, sud
denly.
"All there is left for him to do
said Levine. Lydia, before the
speeches begin, go up in the pines and
choose your tract. I'll buy it for
you"
1.-THE whole things wrong" NUT
tered Billy.
Levine gave him a quick look, then
smiled a little cynically. you'd bet
ter 60 along with Lydia and take a
look at the pines" he suggested.
"Td like to look at the pines again, +"
said Lydia "Come along, Billy"
They entered the woods in silence
and followed a sun-fiecked aisle until
the sound of the celebration was
muffled.
Billy leaned against one of the great
tree trunks and stared thoughtfully
about him.
"Tm all mixed up, Lydia" he said
Its all wrong. l know the things
Levine and the rest are doing to get
this land are wrong, and yet l don't
see how they can be stopped. l came
up here last month to see how bad
off the Indians were. And / saw the
poor starving, diseased brutes and
cursed by white breed. And yet, Lyd
/ saw tract of pine up in the middle
of the reservation that I'd sell my SOU
to own!'
There was understanding in Ly
dia's eyes. "Oh, the pines are won
derful," she exclaimed. IF one could
only keep them forever! And 1 sup
pose that's the way the Indians fee
about them, too!'
"It's all wrong" muttered Billy
Its all wrong, and yet" more firmly
"the reservation is doomed and If W.
don't take some Of it, Lydia, we'll mo-
be helping the Indians-but just beini
foolish"
ITO have. 1t and hold it for YOU
children's children" exclaimed Ly
dia, passionately. you and yours t.
live on it forever. And yet, I'd see {
dead Indian baby and starving squawl
behind every tree. know l would
81 tell you what I'm going to do,
said Billy, doggedly. "Pm going tt
get hold of that tract. Pm not goinl
to deceive myself that It's all any
thing but rotten thieving gam'
we whites are playing, but I'm goini
to 1t, anyhow. I'll pay for 1t, some
how, and I'll go on doing what / cal
to see that the Indians get what's lef
of decent DEAL"
The two listened to the wind In tn
pines, then Lydia said. 1--WE must &c
back for the speeches"
Levine had just finished his speed
when Billy and Lydia got within hear
ing, and he introduced State Senate
James Farwell as the chief speaker o
the day. His audience, standing IL
the burning sun, was restless. TIL
Indians, understanding little that wa
said, were motionless, but the white
drifted about, talked in undertone
and applauded only when as flttin
; peak to all the efforts of the age
toward freedom, Farwell placed tn
present freeing of the Indians fror
the reservation.
; (To BE CONTINUED,
Wherever the speech Is corrupted