accepted the situation as stolidly as my father would have done if he had been doomed to perpetual slavery."
"Did Joseph always treat you badly after your marriage?"
The woman shrugged her shoulders.
"Hard times came to our tribe. The Hudson Bay Company's business languished. We had a succession of bitter cold winters, with dry, hot summers following. The different tribes became involved in war. Then famine came, and pestilence. We will draw a veil over what followed, Mr. John. Joseph will never beat his wife again; I have sworn it!
"The fluctuations of fortune brought us at last to the Utah trading-post, where you saw Joseph. We were prosperous then, and might have lived Hke white folks; but he seemed to prefer to keep me situated like an ordinary squaw, so I gave him all he bargained for. But, ugh! I did detest the life. Finally my father died and left me an ample inheritance, which is mine absolutely. I will educate my children and take them to London, where there is no prejudice against my people such as abounds in this ' land of the free and home of the brave '!"
"Do you think Joseph is able to repay a part of the money we lost on his account?"
"My husband will waste more money in a single night sometimes, at the gambling-table, than he will expend on his family in a year. I think he is quite able to pay his debts."
"How would you like to visit our people back in the old home?"
"When our children reach the age of six or seven years, they begin to outgrow the Indian style and complexion," she said; "but I'll not take them among my husband's people while they look like little pappooses."
"Why not take them out to my donation claim? My family will be glad to welcome you."
