Algonquin Indian Tales

Nurse-Her Pathetic History-Her Love for the Children

Indian ways, had no desire to lessen their influence by finding fault with them for carry

easy, bedaubed, and so tired that they could hardly hold up their little heads, her indignation knew no bounds, and a

recovery she was considered to be under the special care of the Good Spirit, so that even the most influential chief

of figure, and never very strong, he exacted from Mary a great deal of hard work and was vexed and angry if, when heavily burd

d being a large, stalwart man, and moving with the usual rapidity of the Indians on the homeward trail, he soon reached his wigwam. Unfortunately for him-and, as it turned out, for Mary als

were not agents o

raders not only purchased what furs Robinson had on hand but also the two hind quarters of the deer which M

of spirituous liquors. The unprincipled traders, knowing this, and wishing to see him in one of his tantrums, beg

y the carrying strap across her forehead. Weary and panting, she turned to go into the wigwam for her skinning knife, but ere she had gone a dozen steps she was startled by a yell from Robinson which caused her instantly to turn and face him. The sight that met her eyes was appallin

ring wigwams. When they found poor Mary lying there in agony, with the ax

ed to attend to Mary's wounds the wretched husband stealthily slipped away into the forest and was never again seen there. Rumors, however, at length reached Mary that he had fled away to the distant Kaministiquia River, where for a time he liv

lped her in various ways. She was always grateful for kindness, and in return was very willing to do what she could for us. She was exceedingly clever with her needle, and with a little instr

y in the matter of parental discipline, there would be collisions between Mary and the mother of the children; for the nurse, with her Indian ideas, could not accept of the position of a disciplined servant, nor could she quietly witness the punishment of children whom she

it was often amusing to see the way in which she would attract the children's attention to her, peering around tree or

mistress, while Mary's quiet response wou

her six months, when Mary would indulge again in

of deer skin, tanned as soft as kid, and beautifully embroidered with silk and bead work. Not a spot could appear upon th

s usual, she was busily employed with her needle. When, however, the two stalwart Indians returned in the evening with the children on their shoulders the storm broke, and Mary's murmurings, at first mere protests, became loud and furious when the happy children, so tired and dirty, were set down before her. The Indians, knowing of the sad tragedy in Mary's life, would not show anger or even annoyance under her scathing

he day; therefore now the weary children, after being bathed, were again dressed in their best and brought out for inspection and a light supper before retiring. The bath and the supper had so refreshed them that when Mary had tucked them into their beds they were wide awake and asked her to tell them a story

her sentiments about him. The children gallantly came to the defense of the old Indian and also of Nanahboozhoo, o

e Souwanas can tell us about Nanahboozhoo, all right, we will listen to

toss of her head, "there are many stories

ke the best, Mary's or Souwanas's!" said Mi

great story-teller of the tribe. However, being determined that Souwanas should not rob her of the love of the children, she was temp

y to-day. Do you know why it is that there are such tro

said Mary, "because a woman was lazy and would not keep

bout it," they

them, and beg

kon. He was an industrious fellow, and had often to work a good deal in dirty places. The resu

bors. Her husband was patient with her for a time, but at length, when he heard that Wakonda was coming to pay a visit to the people, to see how they were getting along, he began to bes

r of a beating that she ever did make any attempt to do as he desired. She took the garments and began to clean them, but she was in a bad hu

ss himself in his best apparel, but great indeed was his anger and disgust when he

er indolence Wakonda suddenly appeared. To him the m

wife is not only a disgrace to her husband, she is anno

ticles of dirt at once changed into mosquitoes. And so, ever since, especially in the warm days and nights of early summer when the mosquitoes with their singing and stinging come aroun

called sleep now enfolded both the little ones, and with mutterings of "Nanahbooz