The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-07-31

ere around lnAt distance. We
lere We are. Somewhere on a
{ Pierre.
These people were the first real
river rats we had run across. They
were squatters on the island, for
the government owns all the islands
in the Missouri. They owned MOTH
ing except the few pieces of miser-
able furniture. the few filthy rags
that covered their bodies. and q
boat. They lived entirely off the
river and grew only a tiny garden
hardly sufficient for their own
wneeds. During the spring, summer
and fall they fished commercially
for catfish and sold them in town.
II was seldom that any OF the cat
fish they caught were eaten by
themselves. They were too waltz
able for that. Carp, buffalo. sinners
and other bony and less desirable
fish. along with cornmeal. and. in
the summer. vegetables, were their
only articles OF food. Though they
probably could have had IL. they
hadn't applied for relief and they
didn't intend to. Not because the
money wouldn't come In handy,
for I'VE shore could use few new
clothes" but because IL was too
binding. 1t would mean going to
town whether they wanted to or
not and these people just couldn't
be bothered doing anything when
they weren't so inclined. Besides
they were perfectly satisfied with
their lot.
I'VE got enough TO eat and we
get it ourselves" grandpa ex-
planned. That's more'n a lot Of
you folks are able TO do. We amt
beholden to nobody an we amt
a burden to nobody. We got our
own little world right here an as
long as we mind our own business
the gov'mint will let us stay. Nav.
son, we amt got much but we're
happy"
Wind Increases
Vending our way back 10 the
river after an hours visit, we
found, with dismay. that the wind
had increased considerably. Inland,
among the trees, 1t Is almost inn
possible to tell whether there is
much of a wind blowing. Seldom
does even a heavy wind penetrate
the heavy growths OF cottonwoods
and willows that border all the
islands and most of the bottom
lands. There was a change in the
wind now, too. Instead OF being
cool II seemed TO be warm and
carry a great deal Of moisture.
We had noticed a closeness in the
air while on the island, but had
thought little Of it at the time.
This, together with the various
other signs. meant rain within
a few hours and in that wind we
knew our tent would be ineffec-
tive. In fact, 1t is doubtful II we
could have even put 1t up in the
wind, and IL we moved TO shell
tered spot the mosquitoes and flies
would eat us up.
There was small settlement
on the left bank Of the river, but
it was a wide crossing and the
seas were too heavy to attempt IL.
Knowing the crossing on the other
side of the island was narrow, we
circled the point. With that wind
blowing IL was easier TO cross
against the current with the wind
at our backs rather than against
the wind and with the current. II
brought us 10 a little house set
some distance back from the river
on the mainland. II was little
more prosperous and eleaner-look-
ing than the island homes so we
decided 10 try for shelter there.
Besides, there was little creek
coming in just below the house
that afforded a perfect landing.
free from the sucking current of
the main river.
Welcome Visitors
Like most people on the right
bank OF the river. they were glad
to have us spend a night with
them. Through South Dakota the
Missouri river seems to be the
dividing line between the new and
old type of hospitality. West OF
the river is still the "Old West, !"
where anyone is welcome, regard
/ less Of who or what he u. East
/ of the river the people, though
/ isolated in many cases, seem more
metropolitan and their hospitality
suffers. They are more or less sus-
! picious Of strangers and though
they were pleasant enough 10 us
when we Identified ourselves, there
was something missing. Whenever
possible we try TO make our sotps
on the right side Of the river. for
we like the open welcome and jolly
rsnchers who, even when times
are hard, do little complaining.