The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-08-05
Life of Pioneer Woman
Was Filled With Thrills

shut off the light. and pointing to the
feverish countenance Of the sleeping
baby, solemnly shook her head.
1t was all that was necessary. With
one Mortified glance at the infant, they
took to their heels with haste that land
ed the leader in the ditch. The rest did
not stop to aid him, but kept right on
the way to the fence n their horses,
which they mounted, now joined by
their former leader. and plying the whip
with might and main, soon vanished
from sight, nor we're any more Bannacks
in that vicinity for the remainder OF the
season.
The reason they left so hurridly, is
readily understood, when 1T is known
that the smallpox was ~prevelant in that
section, and had already worked havoc
among the tribe. The baby's red face
they thought was an indication Of its
having the disease, in which opinion they
were confirmed by the mothers panto-
mime and frown.
Mrs. Maynard was not always so for
tunate in getting rid Of the Indians, as
in the instance just narrated. OFTEN they
entered the house on begging intent.
she said she never had the courage to
refuse them what they asked for. They
always came right in announced, unless
the door was locked. Why not? No te-
pee has either knocker or doorbell and
they were versed in no etiquette but
their own.
One day an Indian opened the door
and walked in. Going to the stove he
seated himself, and taking out a knife
which appeared to be alarmingly sharp
he began to put a finer edge on it, a per-
Torrance Mrs. Maynard watched with
growing anxiety. Pausing in his task
he asked the frightened woman to give
him a cows head which was hanging
outside the house, explaining by signs
meanwhile, that he wished the brains
to use in preparing robes.
Finally she agreed that he might al
least look at the coveted head, as that
would take him out of the house Sus-
pecting the purpose of this concession, he
said:
you Gomez" TO which interrogation
she replied:
door, Mrs. Maynard following him
Steps led up to the door, and as TIT
Indian went before her down the steps
| she hastily urned back, locking the doc,
with herself safely inside the house. Shi
had shut out the Indian, but did no
have the courage to refuse his reque
for the head, as coming to the window
he resumed the narrowing knife sharp
ening. With the head in his possession
he showed his appreciation OF the situa
ton by laughing at his benefactreSs. H
knew he had frightened her, and enjoyed
doing so.
While Mrs. Maynard could not go on
and wash gold from the earth like tn
miners she gathered it in her skill ant
industry. Mems clothing were scarce Il
pioneer days, n what they had wa
: necessarily worn as long as possible. T
keep it in condition, it was foxed witt
buckskin, or preferably with antelop
, skin, as the latter was softer, and NOR
easily applied. Some men might hav
d, been able to do this work themselves
} but the majority had to call in the as
2 sistance Of a woman, paying well for tn
{ work.
l The foxing consisted of a facing aboU
5 an inch and a half wide about the bot
r tom Of the trousers; large and long piece
S over the knees; and a h-eart-shaped ad
e dition to the seat, all Of antelope Skin
This branch of tailoring Mrs. Maynar
undertook, which brought her in sub
D stantial returns, as she had all she coul
possibly do of this kind Of work.
Undoubtedly the work was a BLESSING
as it always is, unless there is too muc
of it. Bulwer Lytton says, in one Of h
S novels, that when n sews she does nc
4 think. If this is true, the sewing she di
Y kept her from worrying over the possib.
T coming Of the indian