AN ODD BABY.
It is ten years, and more, since John and Sue Bent went out West to live: they were quite small then. On the way out, in the cars, they had two things to talk about.
John was so glad to hear that they were to go in a boat, "up the great river with a long name," as he said.
Sue added, "O, I do hope we shall see some Indians, out West!" When they came to the river, they found that the boats could not run. It was spring, but the ice was not yet gone; so they had to go up the river in a sleigh-stage, on the ice.
John did not like this; no one liked it, for it did not seem safe. All were glad when they were on land once more.
"Well, John," said little Sue; "we did not go in the boat; but maybe we shall see some Indians now!"
This made the rest laugh, for no one thought Sue would have her wish. But, as they rode up the street of the town, some one cried out:
"Why, little girl, there goes an Indian, to be sure!"
"Yes, and his squaw is behind him. Look, Sue! Look, John!"
"The squaw has her pappoose on her back, too!" cried John.
As they came up to the Indians, how they all did laugh! For the squaw had a little dog on her back, in place of a baby, or pappoose, as they say. It rode in a fold of her blanket, as snug as could be.
The old Indian did not turn his head as the sleigh drove past But the squaw gave John and Sue a look, as much as to say, "I know why you laugh!"
Was n't it odd of the squaw to carry her dog like a pappoose?
If it had been a child, I dare say she would have had it strapped to a board. The Indians treat their babies so to make them hardy, they say.
I think the dog had the best of it: don't you?