"
I professed myself ready to do any thing in my power in so good a
cause.
"Here is my list; I generally carry it about me. You will see those
that are wanting, and very possibly may suggest others."
And as the lady spoke she drew from her pocket a roll of paper as
long, and as well covered with names as any minority petition to
Congress. However, I had lived too much among collectors of late to
be easily dismayed. The list was headed by Black Hawk. I expressed
my fears that the gallant warrior's ignorance of letters might prove
an obstacle to obtaining any thing from his pen. I volunteered
however to procure instead, something from a Cherokee friend of
mine, the editor of a newspaper.
{Black Hawk = Black Hawk (1767-1838), an American Indian (Sac)
chieftain, defeated by the U.S. Army in 1832, whose "Autobiography"
(1833) became an American classic.}
"How charming!" exclaimed Miss Rowley, clasping her hands. "How
very obliging of you, Mr. Howard. Are you fond of shooting? My
brother's preserves are in fine order--or perhaps you are partial to
yachting--"
Bowing my thanks for these amiable hints, I carelessly observed that
the letter of the Cherokee editor was no sacrifice at all, for the chief
and myself were regular correspondents; I had a dozen of his letters,
and had just given one to Mr. T-----. This intelligence evidently
lessened Miss Rowley's excessive gratitude.
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