A Tramp On The Indian Problem

The other day. sayas Nobvaska ïiewspaper, a weazened old Piute was painl'ully sawiii'i wood in the street. Colil as the weather was, the nature of the work forced the Indian to ky Rgide lus blanket and toil in his shirt slceve8. As t!ie old man labored, a sturdy tvamp, with a florid i'aee and a very iúgh forehead, approched. 11e stood tbr sonm time idly Wfttchiim- the Indian, and, growinjj cold iu contemplating the intci'esting sight, the tramp picked up the blniiket and walkcd i.'il'with it. dt-spite the expostulatory cries of the Indian, who followed ui ureat distress. A deputy eojMtable was attracfced by the noiee, and when tlie poov old Indian had, in broken Enrliah, explaiued the cause of his woe, tho tramp was taken into custody, and the blankei tunied over to lts owner, whohobbled back to his work. Thenext morninq; the tramp, who snivc lus ñamo as Jumes lieuoru, was bróuïht beíbre Justice Knox. "What's ploa?" asked the Conrt. ■Wh-.it's your charg-c?" domanded the tramp. -- !■ 1 i t liirccny." "Greal beaveus !" críed Mr. Bel ford, storting back. "Do me ears decelve ue?" "No, yonr cara are all risrht," said his íonor. "What're yon makinz a noise or? Didn't you steal tbe bianket?" "Steal it, sir? No sir ; I took it It vas mini' becauee I wanted it. Thelr■esistible antagxniism of races jiistifios he transfer of ownereliip. "Sad,sir,a8 the laic of the Indian nnloubteaíy i. it is yet inevitable. The [cuius of Awglo-Saxoii civil iza tiou in i onwiu'd aiarch acrosa this broadaud florioii8 ooutLueat crushes red man betoath iis progre8S. "It ia asa mighty torren t, irresistable n its torce, sweeping all botbro it. "That'which butnuiiutainstheludian n savaiie and ill-íed idleucss, under he poaceful arts of the white man )lo9soma and bloonia and teems with ilenty. Where the red man roamed ollowing the chase, are now busy cities and fields of golden cora. Tue Indian ias passed away. "Who ahall say the cruel tv which expelled hun iVom his hanting groands ras not a wovk of meroy after all? "Forevery savage who drew his Bow in the solitudes, a thousand civilized men and womofl now toil, 8OW, reap iiid are happy. "Standing on the peaks of time, and takinsr the continent i'or the flcld of servation, I " "Yes, but what about tho blanket?" Lnterrupted the oourt. "Wely' replied Mr. Belford, "I can't see but í had as niuch right to uab that oíd bricks blanket as Congresa has to fire the Utes olí' their reservatiou iust bêcause there's beeii sonie good ludgcs strnck on 'ein." I ag'ree v.ith you Mr. Belford," said tbo court. "Thank you, your Honor," returned Mr. Belford, reaching lor bis bat. "But permit me to add," oontinued thc e-iiff, "Lhat (Jic ii)t.ral itlcas oí' Congress don't ahvays jibü with my uotious of what'e square." "Ib tbc opinión of this court, Mr. Belford, you're about tbeinoanest thief l'vc bad before me La a long time. Because tbe Ludían was pooi' and belpless you thought be liad no rigbts you ueed respect, l'll give you six nionths in tbc eounty jail to síudy up tbe lndian question." "Tüat con Id not bave occurred in a civil ized coinniunity," muttered tbe dazed Mr. Belford as be was led off to the bas tile.