Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 12.pdf/708

 The Penobscot Indians. The hall is soon well filled with young In dian bucks and belles and squaws with babes in their arms. The young Indians are goodlooking, after all, and their actions are scarcely more uncouth than those in similar gatherings of white people in neighborhoods remote from the more populous towns. Big Thunder (an old man of tall, stooping figure) uttered a caution in regard to con duct. Then the rude music of the Island band was heard for a short time, following which an Indian of very handsome figure — a leading member of the tribe — made an ad dress of welcome, and announced the dances. Silence reigned for several minutes, when in a group of old men in the rear was heard a strong rattling. This is the only music used in the Tarratine dances. "The Snake-dance," announced the hand some master of ceremonies, or floor manager. The others known to me are the Short-horn dance and the Micmac. On this occasion the bride and groom appeared and joined for a short time in the second dance, — long enough to show their good points and the bridal costume. When they withdrew, the dance became more violent, grew pranky, changed its form, and soon broke up, having lasted about an hour. The Micmac followed, — a sort of contra dance of a competitive character, in grace, vigor of action and en durance, — in which the squaws took a nearly equal part. When the dancing was ended the bride and groom held a reception, which was fol lowed by an irregular repast, and the festivi ties ended with the cutting and distribution of the bride-cake. It will be noted that these dusky-huecl people are from year to year taking on the customary forms of the neighboring communities of English descent. There have been Indian beauties, fashion ably dressed and otherwise, seen by tourists on the steamboats that ply the river below Bangor. Molly Molasses was one of them, in the days of our grandfathers. Her por trait, by Hardy, not only delighted herself

667

but many others. This picture now adorns the reception room of the Tarratine Club, in Bangor. A gentleman well-known in Maine, now an octogenarian, has sometimes mentioned having in his youth been surprised and moved, while on one of the large Boston and Bangor steamers, by an Indian girl of great personal loveliness, neatly attired in silks, who con versed intelligently and fluently, and who, on going ashore at some river town, took leave of her acquaintances with ease and grace. The same gentleman has also spoken of having passed, in a Bangor street, an In dian maid clad in a fine orange-colored gown, who attracted much attention by her plump, pretty face, the lofty toss of her well-poised head, the pride of her deliberate and dainty step. Judging from later descriptions by other persons, it may have been the first of these beauties who became the wife of a gentle manly, popular and efficient white official of the Penobscot region, — and who has borne him several son s and daughters, — apparently worthy young representatives of either race. As to the yellow-robed beauty with the Juno bearing, perhaps her pride has been curbed by some tall Tarratine chief, — possibly Big Thunder himself. The dwellings at Indian Island are all framed structures; and not a log house nor a turf hut have been seen on the reservation at Olcltown for many years. By their occu pations of farming, basket-making, lumber ing, hunting, fishing, boating, and as guides for hunters, fishermen and tourists, many of the older members of the tribe have laid up sums of money that might well induce their children to provide liberally for them in their years of decrepitude. As long ago as 1855, Joseph Paris owned and lived in a two-story house on Indian Island. It had blinds, was kept well-painted, and sat on a sort of terrace, and was sur rounded by shrubbery. His wife was Molly Sochabasen, of the Passamaquoddy tribe.