| Show STUDENT LIFE neatly dressed but it is safe to say that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like some of these — colors galore and head gear that was in style two score years ago A few Indians were present who still clung to the superstitions and customs of "their fathers These wore a blanket about them and their hair hung in long braids about their shoulders Here and the:' were Indians in the uniform of a soldier members of the Indian company at the Fort And then there were the bright-eye- d children the boys dressed in “Boston” suits and the girls in neat calico dresses I was not surprised to learn that their chief was proud of them and that he was deeply troubled because neither the church nor the nation had sent a teacher to educate them To the right of the platform were a group of old men —elders of the church With them sat Chief Joseph whose hair and scant beard were silvered by the “passing of many snows” His countenance expressed no haughtiness his manner toward his people being that of a father toward his children Seated on the platform were Rev A B Cort a Sergeant of the Indian company and Rev Louis Monteith who is a full blooded Nez Perce Indian and a missionary to the Spokanes To the left was the solemn visagcd interpreter Thomas The meeting was opened by a song from the Gospel Hymns Onlv a few knew the words but the tune was caught up by the congregation and hummed in a mournful tone several notes behind the singe s 137 Mr Cort made a short talk the young Indian sergeant interpreting I was glad when the talk ended for the interpreter was not familiar with religious subjects I remember well that he had trouble with the word “Salvation” thinking it was the name of a person Louis Monteith then stepped to the front He was a fine type of civilized Indian He was dressed in a ministerial suit was over six feet tall and straight as an arrow his head was finely poised and his eyes flashed with earnestness and intelligence As he did not understand the Spokane language he spoke in his native tongue Near by stood the lame interpreter Thomas leaning against the wall for support His face expressed no animation and his eyes were downcast Although I did not understand a word of the sermon I was interested because both the interpreter and the preacher were orators Louis would speak about a hundred words before pausing for the interpreter who like a flash would take up the thought and translate it into the Spokane tongue In their voices I could detect argument exhortation and entreaty enforced by earnestness and eloquence The congregation gave close attention Their faces were stolid but their steady gaze showed that they were moved by the eloquence of the preacher and interpreter At the close of the services the Indians remained a few minutes to shake hands and “pow-wow- ” and then departed to their homes M P |
