Page:Nattie Nesmith (1870).pdf/177

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nuts. The old chief, North Wind, left them to help me, so I tell them how, and they do most of the work. That old man, complaining in the corner, is their father. He is a trying old creature, and I wish that I could be rid of him."

"He seems to be sick," said the youth.

"I suppose he is; but he is, also, very dirty and disagreeable."

Nattie said this with a proud toss of her head, and added: "But you will tarry and take a bowl of broth with us, for I have some on the fire, of my own making, which, I think, will be very good."

The youth assented, and Nattie laid mats on the clean ground, brought the smooth, white, wooden bowls, which the squaws' hands now scoured and scalded each day, and dished out the steaming contents of the soup kettle.

Augustus Reid ate with a hearty relish, and said that the succotash was the best that he ever tasted. Nattie was much gratified by this com-