Jo's Boys - Bibliotecadigital.puc-campinas.edu.br

Chapter 4 38'I'm not sure the farming will succeed, and have a strong leaning towards my old friends the Montana Indians.They are a peaceful tribe, and need help awfully; hundreds have died of starvation because they don't get theirshare. The Sioux are fighters, thirty thousand strong, so Government fears 'em, and gives 'em all they want. Icall that a damned shame!' Dan stopped short as the oath slipped out, but his eyes flashed, and he went onquickly: 'It is just that, and I won't beg pardon. If I'd had any money when I was there I'd have given everycent to those poor devils, cheated out of everything, and waiting patiently, after being driven from their ownland to places where nothing will grow. Now, honest agents could do much, and I've a feeling that I ought togo and lend a hand. I know their lingo, and I like 'em. I've got a few thousands, and I ain't sure I have anyright to spend it on myself and settle down to enjoy it. Hey?'Dan looked very manly and earnest as he faced his friends, flushed and excited by the energy of his words;and all felt that little thrill of sympathy which links hearts together by the tie of pity for the wronged.'Do it, do it!' cried Mrs Jo, fired at once; for misfortune was much more interesting to her than good luck.'Do it, do it!' echoed Ted, applauding as if at a play, 'and take me along to help. I'm just raging to get amongthose fine fellows and hunt.''Let us hear more and see if it is wise,' said Mr Laurie, privately resolving to people his as yet unboughtprairies with Montana Indians, and increase his donations to the society that sent missionaries to this muchwronged people.Dan plunged at once into the history of what he saw among the Dakotas, and other tribes in the Northwest,telling of their wrongs, patience, and courage as if they were his brothers.'They called me Dan Fire Cloud, because my rifle was the best they ever saw. And Black Hawk was as good afriend as a fellow would want; saved my life more than once, and taught me just what will be useful if I goback. They are down on their luck, now, and I'd like to pay my debts.'By this time everyone was interested, and Dansville began to lose its charm. But prudent Mr Bhaer suggestedthat one honest agent among many could not do much, and noble as the effort would be, it was wiser to thinkover the matter carefully, get influence and authority from the right quarters, and meantime look at landsbefore deciding.'Well, I will. I'm going to take a run to Kansas and see how that promises. Met a fellow in 'Frisco who'd beenthere, and he spoke well of it. The fact is, there's so much to be done every where that I don't know where tocatch on, and half wish I hadn't any money,' answered Dan, knitting his brows in the perplexity all kind soulsfeel when anxious to help at the great task of the world's charity.'I'll keep it for you till you decide. You are such an impetuous lad you'll give it to the first beggar that getshold of you. I'll turn it over while you are prospecting, and hand it back when you are ready to invest, shall I?'asked Mr Laurie, who had learned wisdom since the days of his own extravagant youth.'Thanky, sir, I'd be glad to get rid of it. You just hold on till I say the word; and if anything happens to me thistime, keep it to help some other scamp as you helped me. This is my will, and you all witness it. Now I feelbetter.' And Dan squared his shoulders as if relieved of a burden, after handing over the belt in which hecarried his little fortune.No one dreamed how much was to happen before Dan came to take his money back, nor how nearly that actwas his last will and testament; and while Mr Laurie was explaining how he would invest it, a cheery voicewas heard singing: