Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from A Chronicle of Conquest
Some critics of the Little Polly Blatchley whose childish deeds were a while ago made known to that corner of the world interested in her, betrayed to the public that this little girl was not a person of the imagination at all, but a desh-and blood Polly. Far be from the writer the temerity to correct his critics (still less, hers). Like a parent who has sent forth his be loved children into the world, he may lament or enjoy their fate, as the case may be, but he can no longer change their destiny. Therefore the real or mythical existence of Polly Blatchley remains where it was before, in the hands of the critics. But, it is asserted, A Stray Captive was actually captured, not only once, but Twice the true record of Capea Osan diah, not under this name, however, is one to be studied by all who doubt Indian capabilities; Nettie's Experience has been to some extent shared by hundreds of Indian girls within the last few years; the history of the little Apache is, except his name, true, to the almost literal rendering of the conversations; the Cheyenne and Pawnee are still going on in the path that they have entered. The work, and the Indians whose stories are given, are as real as the Carlisle School itself. If the sketch arouse interest in the Indian, make him seem nearer us in civilization, if, by means of it, the tomahawk sink deeper out of sight and the blessed possibilities of all childhood and youth, even of that taken from the lowest surroundings, come more clearly into view, if there is seen to flow the common blood of humanity under red skins and white alike, then, in spite of its faults, it will gladden its writer. Obviously, the system inaugurated by the head of the school of putting young Indians for a shorter or longer time into the households of white people is a happy one. It is hoped that the true pictures here given of this pleasant relationship will help on the day when Americans will extend to Indians as to other youth all American opportunities, and so, a real citizenship. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
