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260 venture to say among the Dakota We think that among the Ojibway it might be possible to find one or more but they are truly a "rara avis."

   Inborn in the Dakota is a spirit of restlessness and desire for excitement.  he must have some outlet to the animal spirit.. restraint is irksome. and in addition to that he is [?] he likes to be the subject of talk and gossip about the village he is full of enterprise and will endure great hardship and torture to be considered brave.

Having studied the character of he Dakota we cannot understand how the heroine of "Romona" could surrender her life into the keeping of "Alsandro." because he was so noble. upright and self sacrificing. If such indians [?lived?] it is indeed a great misfortune that the [?] of such has died with that noble character. We think that the index to the character of a people is their values and deeds "By their fruits ye shall know them" was spoken by one whom wisdom he does not question .. And if it was true nineteen hundred years ago it is true to day In drawing a portrait the artist must make it life like he cannot depart from truth and draw on his imagination to depict an ideal head as a likeness. so in [?] the indian character we are bound down to facts as it is not fiction we are writing we fail in the analysis of the character of the Dakota to detect any traits above those of the animal among the Ojibway we do find from their now lengthy association with the white man sparks of a better nature.. and in passing we would say it is a brave error to say that association with the white man has contaminated the indian. take it all in all the condition of the indian is today better and he is if he will accept it in a higher plain of happiness than he was ever before in his existance. But to return to the Dakota character [?] the family that institution which was created coexistant with man. and from which his happiness spring. The tie to the Dakota mind is a frail one. The wife is a slave, purchased from her father for so much calico in [?] or a poney or two. she is pleasing to her Lord and husband so long as she does his drudgery and brings him children. children are property worth having a son will help his sire in the field of battle. and assist him to steel [sic] ponies The daughter is at the proper, and often improper, age saleable. she is worth so much. a girl of ten years is not infrequently sold as a wife to an old man. One old chief habitually bought young girls for [?] and after a short time sold them again to some also He having tired