He stayed
around the garrison so long that finally Colonel Gregory ordered him
to leave the reservation, and just before coming from the post we
heard that he had shot a man and was in jail. A very good place for
him, I think.
We expect to return to the post in a few days. I would like to remain
longer, but as everybody and everything will go, I can't very well.
The trout fishing in Birch Creek is very good, and I often go for a
little fish, sometimes alone and sometimes Mrs. Stokes will go with
me. I do not go far, because of the dreadful Indians that are always
wandering about. They have a small village across the creek from us,
and every evening we hear their "tom-toms" as they chant and dance,
and when the wind is from that direction we get a smell now and then
of their dirty tepees. Major Stokes and Mrs. Stokes, also, see the
noble side of Indians, but that side has always been so covered with
blankets and other dirty things I have never found it!
FORT SHAW, MONTANA TERRITORY,
November, 1882.
YOU will be shocked, I know, when you hear that we are
houseless - homeless - that for the second time Faye has been ranked out
of quarters! At Camp Supply the turn out was swift, but this time it
has been long drawn out and most vexatious. Last month Major Bagley
came here from Fort Maginnis, and as we had rather expected that he
would select our house, we made no preparations for winter previous to
his coming. But as soon as he reached the post, and many times after,
he assured Faye that nothing could possibly induce him to disturb us,
and said many more sweet things.
Unfortunately for us, he was ordered to return to Fort Maginnis to
straighten out some of his accounts while quartermaster, and Mrs.
Bagley decided to remain as she was until Major Bagley's return. He
was away one month, and during that time the gardener stored away in
our little cellar our vegetables for the winter, including quantities
of beautiful celery that was packed in boxes. All those things had to
be taken down a ladder, which made it really very hard work. Having
faith in Major Bagley's word, the house was cleaned from top to
bottom, much painting and calcimining having been done. All the floors
were painted and hard-oiled, and everyone knows what discomfort that
always brings about. But at last everything was finished, and we were
about to settle down to the enjoyment of a tidy, cheerful little home
when Major Bagley appeared the second time, and within two hours Faye
was notified that his quarters had been selected by him!
We are at present in two rooms and a shed that happened to be
unoccupied, and I feel very much as though I was in a second-hand
shop.
