Year: 1876

poetical, joe should like to see her. May
I ask her name?"


II cannot tell it to you," replied Joe, "for
1 have not heard it myself have but seen
her once" @:


"Only seen her once, and she has promised
to marry you, Joe" "


mo no, I never said that, father misiona'
ry. l said, my mind was fixed to make her
my wife; but have said no word to her yet. ."


"Then how do you know she will consentF'


The Indian smiled sleepily, and took one
or two good whifs of his pipe before replying.
Then he said, with modest selfappreciation
quite worthy of a more refined member Of so
ciety- ...


II have no fear. She will follow my foot
steps when I call to her to come"


Mr.. Carleton could not forbear gentle
laugh. Joe probably understood from the
expression of his face that he did Lot put
quite as much faith in his powers of persua-
sion or attraction as he did himself; for with
a serious, argumentative look, he stretched
out one hand, and said oratorically- ...


"Father missionary, you believe that l
make idle boasts; time will show you wheth-
er am. right or wrong. Why should the
young maiden shrink from following me
She lives in poor little hut, with a feeble,
sick old man; great chief once, but weak
and worthless now. He will not last long,
that can see. The maiden tends him, she
binds his head when it aches, she brings him
food she is good and virtuous, that l have
we'll perceived and she is beautiful, far too
beautiful to waste her life thus. Let her leave
the worthless old man her care cannot make
him live; he can get another to dress his
meat and lay the healing herbs upon his head.
With me she will be happy, she will have no
care. All the day she can roam abroad, or
sit at home and braid her hair if she will. She
will live at her ease, and be as free as the
antelope upon the plains. Is Panther Joe q
man to be despised? Has he not slain his
enemies, and many beasts of the forest? Is
not his arm strong to defend the wife of his
choice, and can be not strike terror to the
heart of any who would seek to do her wrong2
Is not his power we'll known among his peo-
pie? I tell you could have wooed and won
more than one noble maiden had [ sought to
do 80. Few would refuse this hand if it was
offered, but would have none of them-no,
not the daughter of the mightiest chief, be-
cause had no pleasure in them all. But l
have seen to-day the fairest face that smiles
upon the earth, and my heart is conquered.
1t has become as the heart of a child l have
laid it at the feet of that beautiful one, and 1
have sworn to make her mine. Father mis-
sionary, shall keep my VOW"


"Well, Joe," said Mr.. Carleton, amused,
but willing to indulge the Indians views, II
am sure I wish you all success. l have no
doubt, myself that you will be very good and
kind to any wife you may get, and l hope
you may get as good one as your heart can
desire. Is this maiden you speak of one Of
the tribe of Crows who have been moved to
the new reservation?


"She is with thern," said Joe, "but she is
among them all as rose among weeds, 80
fair does she shine above the rest. Her skin
is less dark than theirs, her hair more silken
and fine. Her eyes are like the eyes of the
gazelle, and the movement Of her limbs is
like the swaying of the boughs in the evening
breeze. And have also heard her sing. She
was singing to herself song as she waited on
the sick old chief; and l have never heard a
forest bird whose notes were clear and sweet
as hers"


81 confess you have awakened my curiosity
to see her" said the missionary. 81 trust that
on my next visit to you, l will find her here,
and that she will bring a blessing to your
home"


The Indian, having unburdened himself of
all that he desired to say, finished his pipe in
silence, then rising from his seat, remarked
that it was now time to 60 to bed. Mr. Carle'
ton was weary from his journey, and quite
willing to seek repose, and stretching them
selves on their bearskin couches, both he and
his host we're soon wrapped in sleep dreamless
and profound.


rio he Continued.