Shirley Temple Short Stories 5 Shirley type children's stories (Picture: A Typical Frontier Wagon)

See Stories: Little Missy, Poor Little Rag Doll, Little Miss Hollywood, The Little Major, The Littlest Diplomat, The Littlest Sailor, The Littlest Fire Fighter

THE LITTLEST DIPLOMAT - By Rex W. Clark, Sept 26, 2004
(Dedicated to Shirley Temple Black)

Chapter 1 - Moving to a New Home

A very pretty slender blonde headed young lady and her companion, a little girl of about six years of age with a head of blonde curly hair, were traveling by train from New York City to Charleston, South Carolina in the year of our lord 1876. The little girl wearing a pretty white dress, head bonnet, white mid calf button up boots, and white gloves was watching the scenery as it passed by as the train made it’s way towards its destination. The train’s whistle blew just as the little girl turned towards the pretty young lady and asked, “Aunt Cathy, why are we going to Charleston?” Cathy brushed a curl out of the little girl’s eyes as she replied, “We’re going there because since your mother died, we haven’t any relatives in New York to take you in to live with, so I’m taking you to live with your grandfather and I in Charleston.” The little girl put her finger next to her mouth as she asked, “Do you think Grandfather will let me return to New York so I can continue to sing, and dance on Broadway like my mommy did before she went away to heaven?” Cathy straightened up the little girl’s head bonnet as she replied, “I’m afraid not Emma, your Grandfather doesn’t like the theatre, he says that children belong in school rather than on the stage.” Emma being a little defensive, commented, “My mommy sent me to school every day except when school was out for summer!” Cathy explained, “Your Grandfather thinks that children should be educated, and raised in the church rather than being in the theatre.” Emma sadly commented, “Before my mommy went away to heaven, we went to church every Sunday.” Cathy fixed her own hat as she commented, “Your Grandfather’s a little bit old fashioned, however you’ll love him as much as I do.” Emma asked, “Do you think Grandfather will let me ride piggy back on him like my daddy did before he went away to heaven?” Cathy cheerfully replied, “Oh your Grandfather will let you ride piggy back every day, take you fishing at the lake, to pick nicks at the park, the circus when it’s in town, and so many other exciting things like he did with me when I was a little girl.” Emma’s face lit up as she cheerfully asked, “Do you think he’ll let me sing, and dance for the people in Charleston?” Cathy cheerfully replied, “I’m sure he would if I ask him to let you.” Emma leaped in her seat as she cheerfully said, “Oh goody, goody.”

The train blew it’s whistle again as the conductor was walking down the isle announcing, “Nest stop Charleston, everyone getting off at Charleston can claim your bags from the porter at the baggage car after the train stops at the station.” Cathy cheerfully said, “This is where we get off, your grandfather is waiting for us at the station.” Emma cheerfully asked, “What does Grandfather look like?” Cathy cheerfully replied, “Your Grandfather is a tall grand gentleman with a top hat, and a black suit.” Emma looked out the window of the train as she looked around for a man matching his general description.” After a few seconds of looking around the station, she turned back to Cathy and commented, “I don’t see anyone with at top hat, and a black suit, perhaps he forgot to meet us.” Cathy looked out the window a few seconds as she said, “Perhaps, he’s a little late, come on the train has stopped, we’ll go look for him after we get our bags.”

A while later after Cathy, and Emma had picked up their bags, a middle aged black man met them at the ticket office as he said to Cathy, “Miss Cathy, I’m afraid I have some bad new about your father.” Cathy gasped, dropping her bags as she asked, “What has happened to my father?” The man took his hat off as he sadly replied, “I’m so sorry, but your father died suddenly about noon yesterday, I tried to get word to you, but the ticket office reported that your train had already left, and the telegraph office in Richmond was out of service due to downed lines.” Cathy’s eyes were filling with tears as she asked, “Did he suffer?” The man bowed his head slightly as he replied, “No dear, he died suddenly, he appeared to have suffered a stroke.” Cathy wept as she held her face in her hands as the man sadly commented, “I’m so sorry you had to find out like this.” Cathy regained her composure as she ordered, “Please take us home, I wish to see his body after I get my niece settled.” The man picked up the bags for Cathy, and Emma as he said, “Yes, I’ll do whatever you need me to do, that’s the very least I can do for you, if you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask, my service is at your disposal.” Cathy very appreciative of the man said, “Thank you Frank, that means a lot to me.” Frank sadly commented, “Your father was not only my pastor, but my best friend, I’m here for you whenever you need me.” Cathy sadly commented, “My father was all the family I had in the world besides my niece.” Frank asked, “What are your plans now that your father has passed?” Cathy sadly replied, “I’m not going to make any decisions until after the funeral.”

Later at an old two -story home in the heart of Charleston, Cathy, and Emma were getting settled as a middle-aged heavy set black woman was helping them put away their belongings while saying to the two of them, “I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of Master David, he was such a good man, he was loved and respected by everyone in Charleston.” Cathy sadly commented, “My father loved the people in the town, he often commented about how he never had to worry if we had enough to eat, whenever we would run a little short, he would pray, and shortly someone was bringing us just enough to get us through until the end of the month.” The black woman respectfully commented, “Master David always saw to it that all of us servants had enough to eat, our children were well clothed, and educated, he said that someday the white folks at the big white house in Washington would abolish slavery, and that our children would have the same opportunities as the white children, and he wanted our children to be already prepared to step up to be equal to the white children.” Cathy thoughtfully put her hand on the black lady’s shoulder as she said, “Aunt Mabel, my father loved Sally just as much as he loved us, I often wondered if Sally was my sister, and you were my aunt rather than slaves, why I remember the time Sally fell and bumped her nose, my father picked her up, sat her on his knee, stopped her nose from bleeding, and then just held her in his arms as she laid her head on his shoulder while he hummed a tune to her.” Aunt Mabel lovingly commented, “Master David was one of a kind, we all loved him, he will sorely be missed.” Cathy sadly commented, “I wish I could have been here with him in his final moments to tell him I love him, but I was on my back from New York with my niece, who had just lost her own mother due to a sudden illness.” Aunt Mabel looked down at Emma as she cheerfully commented, “Oh my, you’re the spitting image of your mother when she was a little girl you have the same curly hair, peachy cheeks, and dimples.” Emma commented, “My mommy, and Aunt Cathy were sisters; my mommy said they were insti, insti well some kind of twins.” Aunt Mabel chuckled as she corrected her, “You mean identical twins.” Emma put her finger next to mouth, as she with a very curious look, asked, “What does identical twins mean?” Aunt Mabel chuckled as she replied, “Why little missy, that means that your mother, and your Aunt Cathy were born at the same time, and no one could tell them apart, why if your grandmother hadn’t of put your mother’s hair in a ponytail, she wouldn’t be able to tell them apart, sometimes your Aunt Cathy, and your mother would swap ponytails just to confuse your grandfather.” Cathy laughed as she remembered those times. She cheerfully commented on one time, “One time my sister got into trouble in church, my father said that she couldn’t have any cake for desert, so after I had my cake, we swapped ponytails, then she went back asking for seconds, my father thought it was me, and gladly gave it to her, afterwards when he heard us laughing about, he scolded both of us for fooling him.” Aunt Mabel laughed as she heard Cathy telling the story, and commented, “I saw the two of you swapping ponytails, but I didn’t dare get into the middle of it, I remember the look on Master David’s face when he realized he’d been fooled, he looked as if he could’ve eaten a can of nails he was so mad.” Cathy laughed as she said, “My father didn’t know whether to scold us, or to spank us.” Emma laughed as she said, “My mommy told me that one time the both of you put your hair in pony tails, then you went and kissed him goodnight while my mommy was outside looking in through the window, then she came inside, and kissed him goodnight, my mommy said that my grandfather had the strangest look on his face.” Cathy, Emma, and Aunt Mabel all laughed at the story, then Cathy said to Aunt Mabel, “Emma was a big star on Broadway before her mother passed away.” Aunt Mabel being impressed asked, “You were, what did you do, did you act, sing, dance, or do all three?” Emma proudly replied, “I did all three, everyone came to see me act, sing, and dance in a whole lot of plays with a lot other people, they called me the child star of Broadway.” Aunt Mabel looked really impressed as she commented, “You’ll have to show me some of your talent sometime, why I know a man at the theatre right here in Charleston, I’ll tell him about you.” Emma leaped as she said while filled with excitement, “Oh goody, goody.” Aunt Mabel chuckled as she said, “Well little missy, I’ll go and see him sometime this week, I’ll put in a good word for you.” Emma’s face filled with excitement as she said, “Oh goody, goody.”

Chapter 2 - Most Welcomed Visitors

A couple of days after the funeral of Cathy’s father, Emma hadn’t heard anything back from Aunt Mabel concerning the man at the theatre, so Emma decided to ask her about him. She waited until Aunt Mabel was in the kitchen mixing a cake. As she entered the kitchen, she saw a plate of gingerbread cookies fresh out of the oven sitting on the table cooling on a large platter.. Emma looked at the cookies, then at Aunt Mabel who was just adding some more wood in the stove in preparation to bake the cake she had just put into the oven, Emma asked, “Aunt Mabel, did you ever hear anything from that man at the theatre?” Aunt Mabel turned around as Emma was reaching for a cookie and cheerfully warned, “Now don’t you be getting any of those cookies, they’ll spoil your appetite, and no I haven’t heard anything back from that man at the theatre, but I’ll ask him about it this afternoon.” Emma looked again at the platter of cookies as she asked, “Do you think he forgot about me?” Aunt Mabel replied, “I don’t know sugar, I hope to have some news for you today, now you leave them cookies alone.” As Aunt Mabel’s back was turned getting more wood to put next to the stove in the wood box, Emma quickly grabbed a cookie and quickly ate it. Aunt Mabel turned back around and noticed cookie crumbs all around Emma’s mouth, put her hands on her hips, and chuckled as she said, “I thought I told you not to get any of those cookies, it looks like you went ahead and helped yourself.” Emma smiled ear to ear as she explained, “I was just smelling of them, and they smell awfully good.” Aunt Mabel laughed as she said, “Well you just go ahead and smell of a couple of more, it looks like lunch will be later than I had expected.” Emma smiled ear-to-ear as she grabbed a couple of more cookies and went outside to eat them.

As she was outside sitting in the porch swing eating, this pretty young black lady came walking up the dirt pathway leading to the porch, stopped and cheerfully asked, “Oh my your not Susan’s little girl?” Emma cheerfully replied, “Yes maam, Susan was my mommy.” The pretty young black lady stepped back, gasped as she said, “My your the spitting image of your mother, you have same blonde curly hair, dimples, and peachy cheeks just like your mother.” Emma smiled as she said, “Everyone tells me that.” The lady then sadly said, “I’m so sorry to hear about your mother, and master David, I tried to come earlier, but I couldn’t get away from the hospital until Tuesday.” Emma looked a little sad as she said, “That’s ok.”
About that time the front door flung open as Cathy came bursting out and hugged the lady as she cheerfully greeted her, “Sally, what a surprise, it’s so good you were able to come.” Emma asked, “Is this Sally, the little girl you were telling me about?” Cathy cheerfully replied, “Yes darling, but she’s now called Doctor Sally by every one else.” Emma curiously asked, “Why do they call you doctor?” Sally cheerfully replied, “Because I’m a doctor at the hospital in Chicago.”

About that time Aunt Mabel came running out onto the porch from the kitchen, hugged Sally as she said while filled with excitement, “My baby, my sweet baby, I could die a happy mother right now.” Emma looked really curious as she asked, “Why could you die, aren’t you glad to see your daughter?” Aunt Mabel with tears in her eyes cheerfully replied as she squeezed Sally’s hands tightly, “I don’t get to see my baby as often as I’d like to, but when I do, it’s like Christmas, Easter, New Years, and my birthday all rolled up into one.”

Cathy took Sally’s hand, and sat on the steps as Aunt Mabel sat on the other side of Sally as Cathy cheerfully said, “Tell me what it’s like being a doctor in a big city like Chicago.” Sally cheerfully replied, “Oh it’s a lot different in Chicago than here in Charleston, there the doctor’s treat me good, not like they did in Atlanta.” Emma curiously asked, “How did they treat you in Atlanta?” Sally looked into Emma’s eyes that were filled with innocence as she replied, “The doctors in Atlanta were mean to me because I was colored, they would make me scrub the floors, change the bedding, and so many other things that doctors are not supposed to do, I never got to put my medical school degree to any use, so I went to Chicago and was hired at the hospital where I’m now working as a surgeon in the colored ward.” Emma curiously asked, “What’s a surgeon?” Sally cheerfully replied, “A surgeon is a doctor who opens sick people up with a knife called a scalpel, and takes away the bad things inside of them that’s making them sick so they can get well again.” Aunt Mabel proudly said as she hugged Sally, “My baby is the only colored lady surgeon in the entire country.”
Sally looked at Cathy as she said with tears in her eyes, “Master David always told me to never settle for second best, he always said to follow my dreams, and that’s exactly what I did, I owe him so much, he was like a father to me.” Cathy hugged Sally and smiled as she cheerfully commented, “My father was just as much your father as he was mine, just because your colored doesn’t mean we aren’t family, we don’t need a piece of paper saying were family, its what’s in our hearts that counts, you’re my family just as my own was.” Cathy then went on to say, “My father meant a lot to everyone in Charleston, he was loved by all and he’ll be missed by all.” Cathy then suggested, “Aunt Mabel you sit and visit with Sally while Emma, and I fix dinner for all of us.” Aunt Mabel cheerfully said, “Oh bless your soul child, thank you, I haven’t seen my baby in such a long time.”

A few days later Cathy went into the family room where Emma was playing with one of her dolls and said to her, “Emma, I got word today from that man at the theatre.” Emma cut her off as she cheerfully asked, “What did he say, what did he say?” Cathy sat beside her as she sombrely said, “My poor baby I’m sorry, but the man said you were too young for the play he’ll be doing soon, he said perhaps some day he’ll need a child your age.” Emma looked down at the floor as she sadly said, “Oh, I was hoping I could sing and dance for the people here in Charleston like I did on Broadway.” Cathy gently put her hand on Emma’s shoulder as she said, “Charleston is a small town, the people here don’t know what they’re missing, some day that man will hear your name, and sadly say, I had a chance to sign Emma, but I thought she was too young, boy I was wrong, now look at her, she’s a big star.” Emma’s eyes were full of hope as she looked up at Cathy’s face as she asked, “Do you really think that I’ll be a big star someday?” Cathy gently kissed her on the cheek as she proudly said, “Yes darling, but you will have to find a city bigger than Charleston.” Emma with a determined look in her eye said, “I’ll look all over the world until I find the city where the people will come and see me sing and dance, and maybe I’ll be a big star like I was on Broadway, I was called the child star of Broadway.” Cathy smiled as she proudly said while she hugged Emma, “You’ll always be a big star in my heart.”

Chapter 3 - Making Big Plans

A few days later after church, one of Cathy’s friends was handing her a basket of bread as she said with excitement in her voice, “I hear that many of the families from Charleston, and many other towns in the area are forming a wagon train to travel to California, some of them will be breaking off in Oklahoma to go into Texas while the rest of them will continue on to California.” Cathy’s voice had an air of excitement as she asked, “When are they planning to leave, and where is the wagon train supposed to assemble?” The lady cheerfully replied as she looked at Emma’s curls and admired how they seemed to have a life of their own as she was skipping across the church lawn with the lady’s own daughter who was about the same age as Emma, “The first part of the wagon train is assembling in Richmond as we speak, and will be leaving later this week, and our wagon train will be assembling in two weeks, then after their wagon train reaches here, and everyone has had a couple days to rest, we’ll all be starting our journey to Texas, and California.”

About that time Emma, and the other little girl had reached them, both of them giggling, and out of breath. Emma looked at her friend, then asked Cathy, “Can Bonnie come over to our house for lunch?” Cathy brushed some curls out of Emma’s face as she cheerfully replied, “I don’t mind, but perhaps you should ask her mother if she would like to come also.” Emma smiled as she looked up at the lady and cheerfully asked, “Mrs. Jones, would you, and Bonnie like to come and have lunch with us?” Mrs. Jones smiled as she replied, “That’s very sweet of you, but we have a lot of packing to do.” Emma looked up at Mrs. Jones with big puppy dog eyes as she pleaded, “Oh please, come and have lunch with us, please?” Mrs. Johnson couldn’t say no to those adorable eyes as she gave in, “How could I ever say no to those big brown puppy dog eyes, of course we’ll have lunch with you.” Emma, and the little girl both leaped as Emma cheerfully said, “Oh goody, goody, goody.”

Later at Cathy’s, and Emma’s home, Aunt Mabel was picking up the dishes, and silverware from off the table as Sally gathered the remains of the Sunday lunch. Mrs. Jones asked Cathy, “What are your plans since your father is no longer with us?” Cathy looked a little worried as she replied, “I’m not sure, I’ve applied at several places of business here with out any luck, it seems like everyone is either having hard times, or preparing to join the wagon train leaving two weeks from this Monday.” Mrs. Jones asked her, “There’s nothing left for you and Emma here since the passing of your father, everyone he knew is either relocating, or is joining the wagon train, why don’t you and Emma come along, I hear that there’s a lot of opportunities in California?” Emma’s eyes lit up as she heard about California, with excitement in her voice asked Cathy, “Can we go to California, perhaps I can sing, and dance for the people there, and perhaps be a big star like I was in New York?” Cathy looked around the room, and with uncertainty in her voice replied, “I don’t know, this old house has been in the family for four generations, I couldn’t possibly leave it and Aunt Mabel here all alone.”

Mabel was listening to the conversation as she was gathering the dishes, and commented, “Miss Cathy I didn’t know how I was going to tell you, but Sally has asked me to come and live with her in Chicago.” Cathy put her hand on Aunt Mabel’s hand as she said, “You’ve been a part of this family for so many years, I wouldn’t know what to do without you.” Aunt Mabel’s voice was shaky as she said, “Child you have a life of your own now, and I’m getting to old to look after you, I need someone to look after me once in a while, I’m not as young as I used to be.” Cathy’s eyes were filling with tears as she said while embracing Aunt Mabel, “I couldn’t possibly leave you, you’ve been like a mother to me since my mother passed away.” Aunt Mabel wiped the tears out of Cathy’s, and her own eyes with her apron as she said, “I want to spend the remainder of my days with my baby, and see my grandchildren grow up, and you have an opportunity to start a new life with Emma in California, I hear they’ve discovered gold there a while back.” Cathy looked at Emma then around the room, then back at Aunt Mabel as she said, “Perhaps your right, we all need a fresh start in life, opportunities like this only come around in life once.” Emma’s eyes lit up again as she asked, “Were going to California?” Cathy held her arms open as Emma leaped into them as she said, “Yes darling, were going to California.” Emma smiled ear to ear as she said with very much excitement in her voice, “Oh my goodness!!” Emma then asked as she held Bonnie’s hand, “Is Bonnie going with us?” Mrs. Jones cheerfully replied, “Yes Bonnie, her father and I will also be going with you.” Emma, and Bonnie both jumped up and down while the two of them with very much excitement in their voices shouted “Oh goody, goody, goody.”

Chapter 4 - Moving Day

The big day came for Cathy, and Emma to leave with the other families on the wagon train. Cathy had sold her home, and personal property that couldn’t fit into a wagon to a wealthy businessman, purchased a wagon and were saying their goodbyes to friends along with the other families. Many people were stopping by Cathy’s, and Emma’s wagon to say goodbye with many tears and promises to write. Emma was at the wagon just behind them visiting with Bonnie when the leader of the wagon train cracked his whip and shouted as he waved his arm “Wagon train hoe!” The team of horses hitched to his wagon lunged forward causing the wagon to move forward. Then the driver of the wagon behind him cracked his whip. The horses hitched to his wagon lunged and started his wagon moving forward. Each wagon repeated the actions of the previous wagon until it was Cathy’s turn. Emma asked Cathy, “Can I tell the horses to giddy up?” Cathy chuckled as she handed the reigns to Emma while she replied, “I’ll crack the whip and you tell them to giddy up.” Emma took the reigns and held them tightly as Cathy cracked the whip. Emma then shouted “Giddy up!” as she shook the reigns. The horses hitched to the wagon lunged forward, sending Emma rolling backwards into the wagon as the wagon lunged forward. As Emma rolled backwards into the wagon, Cathy laughed as she said, “You’re supposed to hold the reigns tightly so you won’t roll backwards into the wagon.” Emma climbed back onto the driver’s bench as she was saying, “I was holding tightly, but I guess I wasn’t holding on tight enough.”

A man riding a horse next to their wagon was laughing after seeing the wagon lunge forward sending Emma rolling backwards into the wagon. He continued laughing as he said to her, “Hey little lady, you have to show those horses who’s boss, if you don’t they’ll show you who’s boss.” Emma chuckled as she said to the man, “I guess they just wanted to surprise me.” The man on the horse smiled as he addressed Cathy, “Maam, I’m Roger, if there’s anything I can do for you, just ask one of the trail hands to get me, and I’ll be here in two shakes of a lambs tail.” Cathy smiled as she said back to him, “Thank you Roger, I’m sure I’ll be calling on you from time to time, by the way I’m Cathy, and this is my niece Emma.” Roger tipped his hat as he said, “I’m very pleased to meet the two of you, I’m here at your service.” Emma asked Roger, “Do you have a little girl?” Roger chuckled as he replied, “No I haven’t found a lady yet who’ll put up with me.” Emma looked at Cathy, and then back at Roger as she said, “My Aunt Cathy isn’t married either, perhaps you could marry her.” Cathy playfully elbowed Emma as she said, “Emma, don’t’ be giving the man any ideas.” Roger chuckled as he teased, “Your aunt’s very lovely, and I’m sure that if I had any ideas, they would be of the highest intentions.” Cathy was blushing as Roger was complimenting her. Roger then said, “I had better check on the other wagons. He dug his spurs into his horse’s side. The horse lunged forward as Roger rode to the next wagon.

Emma smiled as she teased Cathy, “Oh my goodness, I think he likes you.” Cathy smiled as she took the reigns and said, “Oh don’t be silly, he’s just being friendly.” Emma continued smiling as she teased with a tune, “You’ve got a boyfriend, you’ve got a boyfriend.” Cathy chuckled as she said, “Stop it, he’s not my boyfriend.” Emma teased again, “Who said he was your boyfriend, all I said was that you had a boyfriend, oh you like him.” Cathy chuckled harder as she said defending herself, “You’re the one who said I had a boyfriend, and he was the only one I spoke to today since we got started.” Emma teased all the more with the same tune, “You’ve got a boyfriend, you’ve got a boyfriend.” As Emma was teasing Cathy with her little tune, she shook the reigns and shouted “Giddy up!” causing the wagon to lunge forward sending Emma rolling backwards into the wagon. Emma climbed back onto the driver’s bench laughing as she said, “Oh you just wait, after we stop tonight, I’m telling Roger that you like him.” Cathy smiled ear-to-ear chuckling as she said, “You’d better not, I’ll, I’ll, you just better not.” Emma laughed as she shook her finger at Cathy while saying, “You just wait.” Cathy laughed as she said pretending to be fearful “Oh brother, I’m in for it.”

Chapter 5 - First Night on the Plain

Later, as the day was nearing sunset, Roger came galloping up next to Cathy’s, and Emma’s wagon. As Roger slowed his horse to a walk, he tipped his hat and addressed Cathy, “Evening Cathy, we’ll be stopping just up ahead for the night, we’ll be forming a circle with all the wagons so we’ll all be in one group, there’s a rumor of a dance tonight, I’d be honored if you and Emma would accompany me.” Cathy was about to speak as Emma smiled ear-to-ear while saying, “We’d love to.” Roger smiled, his eyes sparkling as he said, “Great I’ll stop by after I help some of the other wagons get settled.” Again Cathy was about to speak as Emma interrupted, “We can hardly wait, we’ll see you then, goodbye.” Roger tipped his hat smiling ear-to-ear as his horse galloped away.” Cathy playfully elbowed Emma, chuckling as she was saying, “You little brat, your going to get me into a lot of trouble.” Emma chuckled as she said, “No I’m just going to get you and Roger married.” Emma then with a fake British accent smiled as she said, “I think you’d make such a lovely couple.” Cathy laughed at Emma’s fake accent as she said, “Why you little brat, you wouldn’t dare.” Emma smiled ear-to-ear as she said, “Oh yes I would, you just wait.”

Later after all the wagons had formed a circle, Roger came walking over to Cathy’s and Emma’s wagon wearing a big smile as she said, “Look at the sunset, isn’t it beautiful, but not as beautiful as you.” Cathy was blushing and was at a loss of words. Emma chuckled as she looked at Cathy then said, “I think my Aunt Cathy…” Cathy chuckled as she put her hand over Emma’s mouth as she said, “Never mind my niece, she’s always so talkative.” Emma was giggling as Cathy was holding her hand over Emma’s mouth. Cathy took her hand from over Emma’s mouth. Emma giggled again as she said, “I think my Aunt Cathy…” Again Cathy put her hand over Emma’s mouth. Emma continued giggling as Roger laughed as he said, “I’d kind a like to hear what your niece has to say.” Cathy shook her finger in Emma’s face as she said, “You’d better behave young lady.” She took her hand from Emma’s mouth. Emma then quickly said while giggling, “I think my Aunt Cathy likes you.” Cathy put her hands on her hips, stomped her foot as she pretended to scold Emma, “Emma, you little brat, how dare you.” Roger laughed as he said, “Well I like your Aunt Cathy too, I think she’s simply beautiful, and I would be honored if she would dance every dance with me tonight.” Cathy was blushing as she was about to speak, but Emma cut her off as she said, “We think your simply beautiful too, and she would love to dance every dance with you.” Roger laughed as he said to Emma, “Well you’re just a regular little match maker.” Cathy chuckled as she said, “She’s a hand full.” Roger came along side of Cathy, and offered his arm as Cathy put her arm through his as Emma took his other hand as he asked, “Shall we?” Cathy smiled ear-to-ear chuckling as she replied, “We shall.” The three of them walked over to the dance that had just gotten underway. Emma sat next to Bonnie as Roger, and Cathy started dancing as the small band was playing a delightful tune. Bonnie looked at Roger and Cathy dancing, and then asked Emma, “Is he your Aunt’s boyfriend?” Emma smiled ear-to-ear as she cheerfully replied, “Yep, he sure is.”

A while later at the dance, Emma and Bonnie were getting a dipper full of punch from a wooden bowl when this lady came over and picked up the dipper as Emma had laid it down. She looked at Emma with a surprised look as she almost dropped the dipper, “Your Emma Caldwell, the child star of Broadway.” Emma smiled ear-to-ear as she said, “Yes maam.” The lady held Emma’s face in her hands as she cheerfully asked, “What on earth are you doing way out here?” Emma smiled as she cheerfully replied, “I’m going to California with my Aunt.” The lady looked rather curiously at Emma as she asked, “What takes you to California, what about your career back in New York?” Emma looked down as she sadly replied, “My mommy went away to heaven, so my Aunt took me to Charleston to live with her and my grandfather, but he died before we got back, so now were going to California to start a new life.” The lady stooped down to Emma’s level as she said, “I’m so sorry to hear about your mother, I’m sure you miss her a lot, my mother went away to heaven a long time ago, I remember how I felt when she went away.” The lady then asked, “What are you going to do in California?” Emma cheerfully replied, “Perhaps I can sing and dance for the people in California, and perhaps I’ll be a big star like I was in New York.” The lady smiled as she patted Emma’s cheeks as she cheerfully said, “You were the child star of Broadway, I’m sure you’ll be a big star in California.” The lady then cheerfully asked, “Could you sing and dance for all the people here tonight?” Emma smiled ear to ear as she cheerfully replied, “I’d love to.”

Chapter 6 - My Time to Shine

The lady took Emma by the hand as she led her to where the band was playing and whispered something into the band director’s ear. The band director shook his head while smiling at Emma, then stopped the music, all the people stopped dancing and looked towards the band wondering what was going on. The band director smiled as he motioned for Emma to come to the make shift stage. As Emma was waling across the stage, the band director cheerfully said, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a very special treat in store for all of us tonight. We have a very special young lady all the way from New York who wishes to sing and dance for us, so let’s all give a big hand of applause for The Child Star of Broadway.” Some of the people clapped out of courtesy, while the rest of them stood there. The band director asked Emma what she wanted to sing? Emma asked him if he knew the music to a popular folk song. The band director smiled as he motioned with his hand as the band started to play the song as Emma started singing, and dancing.

After the song and dance was over, everyone applauded, and asked for an encore. Emma smiled ear-to-ear as she looked into the audience at Cathy and Roger who were both smiling back at her. Cathy motioned with her hand for Emma to continue. Emma then looked at the band director who asked her if she knew the words to another popular folk song. Emma nodded her head yes, her curls bounced as she nodded her head. The band director turned around as the band started playing another song.

Emma sang, and danced several numbers for the people that night. Everyone was captivated by this adorable little girl with her blonde curly hair, cute smile, and those adorable dimples. She had stolen the show, she was now the center of attraction. Cathy was standing hand in hand with Roger as a lady next to them asked, “Whose little girl is she.” Another lady commented, “She’s so adorable, and very talented too.” Bonnie pulled on Cathy’s sleeve as she asked, “Was Emma really a big star on Broadway?” Cathy smiled at Bonnie as she replied, “Yes she sure was, she was known as the Child Star of Broadway.” The same lady who had asked whose little girl she was, turned to Cathy as she cheerfully asked, “Is Emma your little girl?” Cathy smiled as she replied, “She’s my niece, her mother passed away recently, I took her to Charleston to live with my father and I, but he passed away before we got there, so now we’re going to California to start a new life.” The lady smiled as she said, “Take her to San Francisco, they have a lot of theatres there, she’ll do very well there.” Cathy smiled as she said, “Emma hopes to be a big star like she was in New York.” The lady smiled as she looked at Emma while saying, “I think she’ll do very well in San Francisco, and any where else in California for that matter.”

Chapter 7 - The Fork in the Road

Three months had passed, spring had given way to summer, Emma was singing, and dancing her way across country on the wagon train. She was getting invitations from all of the families to ride with them, all of which she accepted, and was making a lot of new friends, but her very best friend was Bonnie, whom she spent most of the time with when she wasn’t with Cathy, and Roger. One day while riding through Oklahoma, Emma, and Bonnie were playing with their rag dolls when Roger came galloping next to the wagon. After bringing his horse to a walk he addressed Cathy, “We’ll be stopping up here for the night, then tomorrow at first light the group going to Texas will continue on to Texas while the rest of us will continue on to California, many of them going to Texas are asking if they can hear a farewell concert from Emma tonight.” Cathy turned her head and asked, “Emma the people going to Texas are asking if you would do a farewell concert for them tonight, because they’ll be continuing on to Texas in the morning? Emma cheerfully replied, “I’d love to?” Cathy turned her head back around and cheerfully said to Roger, “She said she’d love to.” Roger smiled as he said, “Emma will make them all very happy.” Cathy chuckled as she said, “She’s made a name for herself, I heard some people referring to her as the child star of the big outdoors.” Roger laughed as he said, “I’d better be getting back, I’ll be back after the trail boss picks a place to set up camp for tonight.” At that Roger dug his spurs into his horse’s side. His horse bolted to a gallop as Roger rode towards the front of the wagon train.

After the wagon train had stopped, formed a circle, and everyone was getting prepared to camp for the night. The ladies and the little girls were setting up the cookware and food in preparation for dinner while the men and the little boys were gathering firewood, and setting up the tables, while the band were setting up the make shift stage in preparation for Emma’s farewell concert for the group continuing on down to Texas the following morning.

After dinner, the band director went up to the make shift stage, motioned with his hand as he said, “Ladies, and gentleman, boys and girls, tonight Emma has agreed to sing and dance for the group of families who’ll be continuing on to Texas, never the less, the rest of us are just as anxious to be entertained by this adorable pint size singing, and dancing sensation, so without any further delay let’s give a round of applause for the child star of the big outdoors, Emma Caldwell.” Everyone applauded as Emma pranced onto the stage smiling ear-to-ear. The band started playing as Emma started singing, and dancing to songs made popular by her while she was on Broadway As she sang and danced to the songs, many of the little girls were singing along with her much to the delight of their parents.

After the concert many of the little girls stopped by asking for autographs and promises to write. One little girl from the group going to Texas asked, “How do I know where to send you my letter?” Cathy cheerfully replied as she wrote down Roger’s address in San Francisco, “Just send it to Roger Jackson, he’ll make sure we get it.” The little girl jumped as she cheerfully asked, “If I ever go to San Francisco, can I visit with you?” Emma smiled as she said; “It would be my honor for you to visit me in San Francisco.” At that Cathy put her hand on Emma’s shoulder as she said, “It’s bed time, we all have to get an early start in the morning.” Emma said goodbye to all of her new friends from the group who were continuing on to Texas as she and Cathy turned to walk to their wagon to get ready for bed.

Just before daybreak one of the trumped players from the band with the urging from the trail boss began playing a cheerful tune as everyone awoke and began stirring about. The men and boys were hitching the horses to the wagons, while the women and girls were preparing breakfast. After breakfast, many from the group continuing on to Texas with many smiles, laughter, hugs and tears were saying their goodbyes to everyone else continuing on to California. As the two groups started, the group going to California started moving west through Oklahoma, across the panhandle of Texas, through New Mexico, Arizona, and finally into California, while the group going to Texas started moving south through Oklahoma and into Texas.

Chapter 8 - Surprise Attack

One day as Emma was playing with Bonnie in the back of the wagon with Cathy driving, A large band of Indians came quickly riding down the hill shouting as a few of the trail hands were hit with arrows, and rifle fire. As Cathy directed the horses into a circle with the other wagons, Bonnie jumped out of the wagon and started running towards her own wagon as her mother was yelling for her to go back. Just at that moment an Indian on horseback swooped Bonnie off her feet kicking and screaming onto his horse as he quickly rode by. Bonnie’s mother frantically screamed Bonnie’s name as the Indian rode off with her. Cathy shouted “Emma get under the blankets!!” Emma quickly opened a large wooden trunk, climbed inside, and covered herself up while closing the trunk lid over her. The Indians continued their attack, while the men, and trail hands fought back. Several of the children and young women were taken by the Indians as the men attempted to fight them off. Several people were wounded while the women and girls were captured by the Indians.

Finally they heard the sound of a bugler sounding a charge as a large Calvary came down the other hill chasing of the remaining Indians. After the commotion had calmed down, Emma came out of the trunk throwing off the blankets. She looked around the wagon for Cathy who wasn’t to be found. She stuck her head out of the wagon looking, and calling for Cathy but to avail. Finally Roger came running up to the wagon, Emma immediately jumped into his arms as she frantically asked, “Cathy, have you seen my Aunt Cathy?” Roger winced as Emma hugged him tightly. Emma asked as she looked into his face, “Are you hurt?” Roger smiled weakly as he replied, “It’s just a scratch.” Emma looked down at Roger’s shoulder that was bleeding as she frantically said, “You’ve been hit.” Roger said, “It’s just a flesh wound, the bullet went all the way through.” Emma got her self down, grabbed an old dress, tore it, and wrapped Roger’s shoulder the best she knew how with the make shift bandage as Roger said, “They’ve taken several of the women and children, Cathy was one of them.” Emma bolted into the direction the Indians rode off as she said, “I have to find Aunt Cathy, and Bonnie.” Roger grabbed her arm as he said, “There’s too many of them, we’ll have to wait for reinforcements from the army, the Major said they’ll be here in six days.” Emma frantically said as she tried to wrestle free from Roger’s grip, “Six days will be too late, I have to find Aunt Cathy, and Bonnie now.” Roger pulled her back, held her tightly in his arms as he said, “There’s nothing you can do on your own, we have to wait for reinforcements.” Bonnie laid her head on Roger’s shoulder as she wept.

Chapter 9 - Planning a Rescue

A couple of nights later after the dead were buried, the wounded recovering, the wagon train still weeping for the ones taken by the Indians, the men of the wagon train with the solders were planning a surprise attack on the Indians to rescue the women and children who had been taken during the raid on the wagon train. One of the men stood up and angrily said, “If we attack now, those savages will surely kill our women and children, we must wait for reinforcements to arrive.” The leader of the meeting said, “We can’t just sit and hope that our women and children will still be alive when reinforcements do arrive.” Another man angrily said, “If we attack now, or if we wait for reinforcements and then attack what assurances do we have that our women and children will still be alive when and if we do succeed in rescuing them.” The leader of the meeting replied, “None, all we have is hope, and faith, the rest is up to the Lord.” Emma was hiding behind one of the wagons listening to the men argue and decided to rescue Cathy and Bonnie on her own. So she quickly went back to her wagon, gathered a few pieces of beef jerky, a canteen of water, a bedroll, some matches, bandages made from an old dress, Cathy’s pistol, and a box of ammunition, put them into a bag with a shoulder strap, put the strap over her shoulder and quickly ran into the direction where she had seen the Indian who took Bonnie, to rescue her, Cathy, and the other women and children.

Emma had walked all night it was already sunrise it was rising just over her right shoulder as she saw a figure laying on the ground ahead of her to her left. She cautiously went over to investigate. As she got closer she saw that if was a young Indian of about fourteen years of age, (who had obviously been wounded by one of the men of the wagon train), was lying unconscious, and bleeding from his right side. Emma felt compassion for him, and was bandaging up the boy’s wound when he regained consciousness, being startled that Emma was there, tried to get up but fell back down too weak to stand on his feet. Emma gently said, “Your hurt, please let me help you.” as she was taking out her canteen. She unscrewed the cap, put it to the boys lips who drank some of the water. Emma then offered him a piece of beef jerky. He took the jerky, and while eating it smiled at Emma who smiled back.

After a while the boy regained some of his strength, got to his feet as Emma asked, “Do you know where they took my Aunt Cathy, and the other women and children?” The boy shook his head yes.” Emma in a voice of excitement asked, “Please take me to them.” The boy said in broken English, “My people may kill you if you try to rescue any of the captives.” Emma asked, “How do I get them back?” The boy said in broken English, “You saved my life, you my friend, if I be your blood brother and you my blood sister my grandfather will honor and listen to you.” Emma asked, “How do you become my blood brother, and I become your blood sister?” The boy replied as be took out a hunting knife from a deerskin pouch from around his waist, sliced the end of his left index finger, then grabbed Emma’s left index finger and sliced it, “We mix our blood and I become your brother, and you my sister.” Emma winced at the boy sliced her index finger. Then the boy pressed and held there two fingers together for a couple of seconds. Then the boy looked into Emma’s eyes as he said, “Now my grandfather will honor, and listen to you because you are now his grand daughter.” Emma asked, “Who is your grandfather?” The boy replied, “My grandfather is Screaming Eagle, chief of all Sioux tribes.” Emma asked, “What if the other Indians don’t honor, or listen to me?” The boy angrily replied, “They will die as dogs, all Sioux tribes honor my grandfather, they will honor you too.” Emma smiled and then asked, “Will you ask your grandfather to let my Aunt Cathy, and the other people go?” The boy replied, “I will try, but it is up to my grandfather; the white man has made my grandfather very angry with promises of our own land, but have always spoken with a forked tongue.” Emma said, “I’ll speak to my people to let you have your own land.” The boy said, “My grandfather will not believe them until the chief of the white men signs a treaty to let my people have our own land.” Emma shook her head one time as she proudly said, “Then we’ll have to speak to the General and to tell him to let you have your own land. ”The Indian boy said, “If you do that, my people will honor you, and sing songs about you for many generations to come.”

Emma then asked, “I don’t even know your name, I’m Bonnie, what’s yours?” The boy said as he looked at his side as Emma resumed bandaging his side, “They call me Running Fox.” Emma said as she took another bandage from her bag, “I’m very happy to meet you Running Fox.” Emma then went to say, “It looks the bullet went all the way through, I think you’ll be alright in a day or two.” Running Fox said as Emma wrapped more of the bandage around his body to hold the main bandage in place, “You good medicine man, I’m happy you my friend.” Bonnie thanked him as she gently tied a knot in the bandage to secure it, “Thank you, I learned to make a bandage when I was playing the part of a soldier’s daughter in a play on Broadway, there how does that feel?” Running Fox curiously asked, “What is Broadway?” Emma chuckled as she replied, “Broadway is a theatre where people act like other people to entertain other people who pay money to see you act like someone else.” Running Fox scratched his head as he asked, “Is it like when all the people of the village put on head dresses when It’s time to harvest the corn, one looks like a deer, another looks like a wolf?” Emma said, “Yea something like that.”

Running Fox looked around as he asked, “Have you seen my horse?” Emma was about to answer as Running Fox whistled. Emma heard the sound of rapid hoof beats as a horse came galloping over a hill just over her left shoulder and stopped in front of Running Fox. He rubbed the horse’s brow as the horse nodded his head and snorted. Running Fox then tried to mount, but winced in pain as he tried, then held his side as Emma came, and held his foot in her hands as she said while pushing upwards, “I’ll push while you try to mount.” Running Fox mounted as Emma pushed upwards on his right foot, then he held his hand out as he directed the horse to a sizeable rock, “You stand on the rock, and I’ll help you mount.” Emma stood on the rock as Running Fox helped her mount as she sat in from of him on the horse. He put his arms around her waist as he said, “My horse knows the way home.” Emma chuckled as she said, “I’m glad about that, I was worried if I would go in the right direction if you were to pass out on me.” Running Fox then gently kicked the horse’s side. The horse started walking as Emma held on to it’s main.

Later on that day, they came to a river and stopped under a shade tree to let the horse drink from the river. As the horse was drinking from the river, Running Fox said, “We’ll sleep here for a while, my eyes are heavy, and my body is tired.” Emma said as she started unrolling her bedroll, “I haven’t slept since last night, I’m so tired I could sleep a week.” Running Fox took the blanket from his horse, laid it on the ground, then the two of them laid down on their blankets and went to sleep

Chapter 10 - Let's Go Fishing

Several hours later Emma was awakened by something tickling her nose, opened her eyes to see a grasshopper staring at her as it sat on the end of her nose. She sneezed, sending the grasshopper flying. Running Fox had already awakened and was at the edge of the river holding a large fish he had just caught with his bare hands. Emma asked, “How did you catch that fish without a pole, and bait?” Running Fox proudly said, “White men have to use bait to catch fish, we wait for fish to ignore us, then we grab him.” Emma said as she quickly walked over to the edge of the river, “Let me try.” She saw several fish swimming past her, she quickly stuck her hands into the water trying to catch one she picked out, but to no avail, the fish was too fast for her.” Running Fox laughed as he said, “Look the fish are laughing at you.” Emma squat down as she picked out another fish, waited until it was in front of her, then quickly stuck her hands into the water to try catch this one, but with the same result.” Emma now frustrated said, “Ohhh, I’m going to catch me one if it takes me all day.” Running Fox laughed harder as he said, “Look all the fish are laughing at you now, they’re teasing you.” Emma tightened her upper lip as she tried one more time to catch another fish that was now in front of her, this time as she quickly stuck her hands into the water, she lost her footing and fell headlong into the river as Running Fox fell to the ground laughing. Emma climbed out of the water, marched over to him kicked him on the right leg as she angrily said, “I don’t see anything to laugh about!!” Running Fox laughed even harder as he said; “Maybe you catch fish with your mouth.” Emma put her hands on her hips stomped her foot as she angrily said, “Ohhh, I’ll, I’ll, Ohhh!!” Running Fox continued laughing as he stood up, walked to the edge of the river as he said, “I’ll catch you fish for dinner.” He sat by the river for a few moments, then in one motion, quickly stuck his hands into the river and threw a fish over his shoulder sending it flying and landing in front of Emma, flopping around in the grass. Emma looked at the fish, then at Running Fox wide eyed, and asked, “How, did, what did you, how did you?”

After they had eaten the fish for dinner and were getting ready to bed down for the evening, Emma was changing the bandage on Running Fox’s side, as the horse was several hundred yards downstream grazing in the tall grass at the river’s edge. As Emma was tying a knot in the bandage to hold it secure, Running Fox said, “Your medicine very good, maybe someday you be a very good medicine man for the white people.” Emma smiled as she said, “I don’t want to be a doctor, I want to be an actress and a singer.” Running Fox asked, “What is an actress?” Emma replied, “An actress is someone who acts like someone else for people who come to see you.” Running Fox understood as he said, “You mean like you at Broadway.” Emma smiled as she said, “Yea like that.” Running Fox smiled as he said, “I’ll ask my grandfather to let you sing, and dance for him, then maybe he’ll let the captives go free.” Emma smiled as she said, “Oh goody.”

Chapter 11 - Meeting New People

The next day about noon; just as they were coming over the crest of a hill, and just below them in a valley with a river running through it was the village at the river’s edge. Running Fox motioned with his hand as he said; “This is where my father lives, we go and speak with him, we ask him to let the captives go free.” They were crossing the river when a squaw with her two children saw the two of them, she quickly picked the youngest of the children and began running to the center of the village while shouting something in the Sioux language. Immediately several braves mounted their horses and were racing across the river yelping and shouting as the water was splashing from the galloping horses. Running Fox held up his hand as he shouted something to them in the Sioux language. Immediately all the braves stopped in front of the two of them as one of them pointed at Emma as he angrily said something in the Sioux language. Running Fox put his hand on Emma’s shoulder as he answered back. The same brave kicked his horse’s side, the horse in one motion started towards Emma, but Running Fox grabbed the brave, pulling him off his horse as he angrily shouted something in the Sioux language. The brave got to his feet, shook free from Running Fox’s grip, got back on his horse, kicked the horse’s side as he raced back across the river to the village. The remaining braves were asking questions in the Sioux language, examining the bandage on his side and looking at Emma as they crossed the river.
As they were all coming out of the water onto dry land, the chief of the village came to greet them. He examined the bandage on Running Fox’s side as he spoke to running Fox in the Sioux language. Running Fox pointed at Emma as he spoke, then showed the chief his finger, then walked over to Emma, took her by the hand gently pulling her over to the chief, and showed Emma’s finger as he continued speaking. The chief towered over Emma as he spoke to her in broken English; “You very brave papoose, save my son’s life, he make you blood sister, and he your blood brother, let us go to my teepee, we speak.” The three of them walked across the village as the people jeered, some threw rocks at Emma, while others just stared as they continued across the village until they came to a teepee, the chief folded a piece of dried deerskin back from the doorway holding it back for Running Fox and Emma as they entered, then the chief entered, and pulled the deerskin back across the doorway. The chief walked over to Running Fox and Emma, motioned for them to sit. Emma and Running Fox sat on the floor next to one another as the chief also sat on the floor across from them. The chief wanting to show courtesy to Emma; asked Running Fox in broken English, “Who led the attack on the wagon train?” Running Fox replied in broken English; “Brown Hawk said you were angry with the white man, he said Screaming Eagle wanted to make war on the white man.” The chief angrily said, “My father wanted to make peace treaty, not war with the white man.” Running Fox said; “Brown Hawk said Screaming Eagle angry with white men at big army fort, they speak with forked tongue.” The chief angrily said, “Screaming Eagle indeed angry with white man he does not want to make war he want to make peace treaty with chief of white man.” Running Fox said; “Brown Hawk said you give consent to attack wagon train, take captives not let them go until chief of white man come smoke peace pipe sign peace treaty or captives die.” The chief’s eyes and face showed anger as he said, “Brown Hawk lie I never give consent to attack wagon train we speak with Brown Hawk at council later but first we smoke peace pipe Emma now my blood daughter I her blood father.” The chief reached into a deerskin pouch next to him and pulled out a long pipe, filled it with tobacco, lit it with a match puffing as the tobacco started to burn, then inhaled some smoke, then exhaled and gently fanned the smoke with his other hand in a ceremonial fashion as the smoke rose towards the open in the ceiling of the teepee. The chief handed the pipe to Running Fox who did the same as the chief, then Running Fox handed the peace pipe to Emma who inhaled the smoke and immediately began coughing as the smoke came bellowing out with every cough. The chief laughed as Running Fox said; “Draw smoke into your mouth then inhale and exhale.” Emma put the end of the pipe back into her mouth, drew some smoke into her mouth, then exhaled the smoke, then exhaled as she smiled. She took another draw on the pipe, inhaled and exhaled while smiling as she cheerfully said, “This isn’t so bad.” She took another draw, inhaled and exhaled, then put the pipe down as she started to feel sick to her stomach, she put her hand to her head as she said “Ohhhh.” Everything around her began spinning as she held her hand to her head as the chief and Running Fox laughed. Running Fox then said to her, “Now White Fire your blood father, and you White Fire’s blood daughter, all people in village will honor you.” White Fire took the peace pipe from Emma, extinguished the tobacco then rose to his feet as Running Fox helped Emma to her feet and led her outside as White Fire held the deerskin back from the doorway. After a few moments Emma began to feel better as White Fire spoke to a selected group of braves in the Sioux language, “White child is my blood daughter, I her blood father, you honor her treat her well.” The braves went to their own families to tell of the news.

Later on after sunset many of the braves, their wives (squaws), and children were doing a ceremonial dance around a fire as they brought gifts of hand made necklaces, moccasins, Indian dresses, head bands and various other items and laid them in Emma’s lap. One older squaw took her by the hand pulling her to her feet as she instructed her in the ceremonial dance. Emma smiled as she picked up the beat of the drums and quickly learned the dance. After a while of dancing with several of the squaws and children, Running Fox said in the Sioux language; “Emma wants to sing and dance for you.” The drums stopped as Running Fox said to Emma “You sing and dance to make people happy.” Emma though for a moment, then started to sing and dance a routine she did in a play she did on Broadway. The Indians were listening intently as she sang and danced, they didn’t understand the words, but were impressed with her energy, her cute smile, dimples and her hair bouncing as she danced which seemed to have a life of it’s own. After she finished, many of the Indians asked her to continue, which she gladly did.

In the days that followed, she made a lot of new friends with the children of the village. They were curious about her blonde curls, many of the children felt of her curls while others examined her dimples when she smiled, they had never seen a little girl quite like her before. One day following the ceremonial dance several braves from one of the other Sioux tribes came riding into the village. When they saw Emma wearing an Indian dress, hand band, and moccasins, they approached White Fire and asked, “Is this papoose from the wagon train that was attacked five suns ago?” White Fire replied; “Yes she saved my son Running Fox’s life, she now my blood daughter, she also Running Fox’s blood sister.” One of the braves angrily said, “Many soldiers from the fort are getting ready to attack, White Hawk said “All white captives must die if soldiers attack.” White Fire angrily said, “I, Running Fox, and White Papoose go see Screaming Eagle, Brown Hawk lie we make him pay for attack on wagon train take captives white squaws and many papooses, White Hawk is coward dog to make war with squaws and papooses.” The brave said, “We hurry, Brown Hawk want to attack wagon train and kill all white men, squaws and remaining papooses before soldiers attack.” White Fire said, “We leave tonight while moon is gives much light, arrive at Screaming Eagle’s village at first light, then I talk to him and stop Brown Hawk from attacking wagon train.”

Chapter 12 - Speaking the Truth

Running Fox came to Emma as she was sleeping next to an Indian girl about her same age, quietly woke her up, led her outside to a waiting horse as he said, “We go tonight to see my grandfather, you tell him of attack on wagon train, I tell him how you saved my life, you and I become blood brother, sister, and you blood daughter to my father White Fire.” Emma still slumbering asked, “Can’t we wait until morning?” Running Fox with an air of excitement in his voice replied, “Morning to late, Brown Hawk want to attack wagon train kill all men, squaws, and papooses before soldiers attack.” Emma perked up after hearing the news and in an air of excitement said, “Oh my goodness, let’s hurry and stop White Hawk.” The two of them mounted the horses, and joined the rest of the Indians going to Screaming Eagles village to stop the attack on the wagon train.

Just before daybreak they were arriving at Screaming Eagles village. It was quiet as most of the village was still sleeping. White Fire led Running Fox and Emma into Screaming Eagle’s teepee as he slept. White Fire awoke Screaming Eagle and said, “Father I have brought the white papoose from the wagon train who saved the life of my son Running Fox, she wants to tell you of the attack, Running Fox will tell of how she saved his life, and about White Hawk.” Screaming Eagle sat up and listened as Emma told of the attack on the wagon train, and then continued listening as Running Fox told of how Emma had saved his life, and of how they had become blood brother, sister, father, and daughter. Emma explained, “We were on our way to California to start a new life after my mommy and grandfather went away to heaven. Aunt Mabel she was our servant said she couldn’t take care of us any more that she was going to live with her daughter in Chicago, so my aunt Cathy sold the house and joined the wagon train going to California, but some of the people went to Texas while we continued on to California when your men attacked our wagon train, took my friend Bonnie and my aunt Cathie along with a lot of other ladies, and children captive. So I wanted to come and speak with the chief to let them all go free.” Screaming Eagle smiled as he proudly said to her, “You’re a very brave child.” Then Running Fox explained; “Brown Hawk said you and my father order attack on wagon train, take captives hold them until chief of white men make treaty with you to give you our own land or captives die, I was wounded, fell off my horse, could not go on, Emma found me, she use good medicine and save my life, I make her my blood sister, and I her blood brother.” Then White Fire explained; “When Running Fox came to me and tell me how Emma save his life, I make her my blood daughter, and I her blood father, she very brave and tell truth.” Screaming Eagle said as he reached into a deerskin pouch to his left and pulled out a peace pipe, filled it with tobacco; “You’re a very brave child, the great white spirit smiles down on you, now I make you my blood grand daughter, and I your blood grand father.” Screaming Eagle lit the peace pipe, inhaled some smoke and exhaled while fanning the smoke in the same ceremonial fashion as Running Fox, and White Fire had did before. He then handed the pipe to White Fire who repeated the actions of Screaming Eagle, White Fire handed the pipe to Running Fox who did the same, then he passed the peace pipe to Emma who also did the same. Then Screaming Eagle said, “Now you Sioux princess, my grand daughter, the council will honor and listen to you as you, Running Fox, and White Fire tell them of Brown Hawk’s lies, how he led the attack on your wagon train.” Screaming Eagle stood to his feet as the rest of them followed, he then called a couple of braves over and said, “Send young braves to all Sioux tribes, we meet with high council tonight.” The braves immediately went, gathered several young braves and sent them to the other tribes to summon the high council. Screaming Eagle then said to Emma, “Come you sleep with your grand mother, tonight we tell of Brown Hawk’s lies.”

That night the high council was meeting in Screaming Eagle’s teepee with Brown Hawk in attendance. Screaming Eagle addressed the council; “Most honored high council we are assembled here because of an attack on the wagon train of this white child in which many white squaws and papooses were taken as captives. Have we stooped to that of coward dogs that we make war on squaws and papooses.” The council erupted into shouting. Screaming Eagle quieted the council as he continued, “White Hawk has told lies of how my son White Fire and I wishing to make war against the white men, I tell you I wish to make peace with the chief of the white men, not war.” Brown Hawk jumped to his feet and angrily said; “Screaming Eagle, and White Fire lie, they told me to make war against white man.” Emma recognized Brown Hawk as the one who took Bonnie as she was running back to her own wagon as her mother frantically screamed after her. She was about to stand up, but Running Fox held her down as he said, “This not time to tell.” White Fire stood up as he challenged Brown Hawk’s comment; “I never give order to attack wagon train, I told Brown Hawk to send braves to protect wagon train from other tribes who do make war against white man, I sent my son Running Fox to help.” Brown Hawk angrily shouted back; “You lie, you said to attack wagon train, bring back captives to hold them until chief of white men sign treaty or captives die.” White Fire angrily said to Brown Hawk, “You lie like coward dog, you take squaws, papooses captive, and my son was wounded, left for dead until this white child saved his life, she now my blood grand daughter.” Brown Hawk angrily said; “White papoose lie like all white men lie.” Running Fox jumped to his feet as he said, “Emma not lie, she tell truth, she saved my life with good medicine after I was wounded.” Brown Hawk angrily said, “White man shot you on attack on wagon train and you ran like coward dog.” Running Fox angrily said; “I wasn’t shot by a white man I was on the hill watching when a brave with a screaming white child shot me, I fell off my horse, I lay until Emma found me.” Emma jumped to her feet, looked at Running Fox as he said, “Now the time, you tell truth.” Emma angrily said as she pointed at Brown Hawk; “Your the one who took my friend Bonnie when she was trying to get back to her parents in the wagon behind us, we were in my aunt’s wagon playing with our rag dolls when your Indians attacked us.” Screaming Eagle angrily jumped to his feet as he said; “You shot my son, you’re a coward dog, you shoot young braves and make war on papooses.” Brown Hawk angrily said to Running Fox and Emma as he drew out a knife from a deerskin pouch around his waist and lunged towards them; “I should have killed both of you.” The men of the council jumped up, grabbed White Hawk, took his knife as they wrestled him to the ground. Screaming Eagle came and stood over him as he angrily said, “You will be turned over to the white soldiers for trial for the attack on the wagon train.” Some of the braves of the council tied Brown Hawk up and put him into a teepee.

Chapter 13 - The Happy Reunion

Running Fox was instructed to take Emma to meet the newly freed captives. When she was riding into the village she saw her Aunt Cathy and Bonnie along with the other women and children sitting in a group. She cheerfully shouted, “Aunt Cathy, Bonnie.” The turned and saw Emma running towards them, they ran towards her, they embraced her as they all wept for joy. Cathy asked, “How on earth did you get way out here, how did you know where to find us?” Emma pointed to Running Fox who was just then walking up to them and explained; “After the Indians attacked the wagon train I went to rescue you when I saw Running Fox laying in the grass, he had been shot by Brown Hawk because he didn’t want him to tell his father the chief that he was the one who led the attack on us.” Cathy asked; “You went all by your self without any help?” Emma replied, “I had to find you the men in the wagon train wanted to wait until reinforcements to arrive to attack the Indians and rescue you, but I didn’t’ want to wait, so I went on my own.” Cathy and Bonnie both hugged her as Cathy said, “I’m so proud of you, you’re such a brave little girl.” Running Fox said to Emma; “Brown Hawk has been turned over to the soldiers at the fort, they say the chief of the white men is coming for inspection, he wishes to talk to my grand father about signing a peace treaty and to ask to put the railroad through here, my grandfather wants you to be there to speak with the chief of the white men about what happened.” Emma asked, “The chief of he white men, oh you must mean the General at the fort.”

Chapter 14 - A Hero's Honor

Several days later a black highly decorated stage coach with a following of the entire 9th Calvary as escort came to the Indian Village. Screaming Eagle, White Fire, Running Fox, and Emma were there waiting. The stage coach stopped, an officer came and opened the door as a man dressed in a black suit and top hat stepped off the stagecoach. The General of the fort greeted the man; “Welcome Mr. President, this is an historic event having you come all the way out here to discuss peace with Screaming Eagle.” Emma gasped as she heard the General address the president, she said; “The President of the United States, oh my goodness!!” The President said, “It’s my pleasure to meet the man responsible for convincing the Sioux to discuss terms of peace and having their own land set aside just for them.” The General said as he led the President over to Emma; “Actually Mr. President the person responsible is this child. I’m very honored to introduce Emma Caldwell, our littlest diplomat.” The president held out his hand as he proudly said to Emma; “Young lady, your country owes you a great deal of gratitude it’s because of you we’re finally making a permanent peace treaty with the Sioux and being allowed to put the rail road through here.” Emma smiled ear to ear as she said while she shook the President’s hand; “I’m very honored sir.” The President said; “Oh no I’m the one who is very honored to meet the young lady responsible for this historic act, people for generations to come will remember you as the one who was responsible for this historic peace treaty being signed today, you should be very proud.” About that time the General said to the President; “Sir everyone is ready, we must go on inside.” The President turned and said to Emma; “Emma you come along, I want your name right beside mine on this treaty, after all you are our littlest diplomat.” Emma smiled ear to ear as she said while taking the Presidents hand; “Oh my goodness.” The three of them along with Screaming Eagle, White Fire, Running Fox, all the chiefs of the other Sioux tribes went into the teepee to sign the treaty, which gave the Indians their sovereignty, their land and the railroad permission to put the railroad through the land. Everyone was signing the treaty, the President signed his name, handed the pen to Emma, she neatly printed her name next to his. Then Screaming Eagle pulled out a peace pipe from a deerskin pouch around his waste and said as he lit it; “Now we smoke peace pipe.” Everyone took a draw from the peace pipe, the President took a draw then handed it to Emma as he said now our littlest diplomat responsible for all this shall smoke the peace pipe also.” Emma’s eyes lit up, took the peace pipe as she in an air of excitement said, “Oh my goodness!!”

THE END
 

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